Majority of our lovely canine friends tend to fancy taking bites at outer body parts like the hands, fingers, toes, hair etc. When our dogs nip at us, it seems all cute and nice but at times, it might prove frustrating and dangerous, as they might actually injure you with bites like that. Read this post on how to stop my puppy from biting me when excited.
Like children being prone to irrational things, some dogs might actually out grow taking nips at people, and some actually continue. The difference between both dogs could be the training they both went through. It is essential to know that training your dog, will help in ensuring it behaves the way you want it to. Since they have a lower cognitive level than humans, letting it grow the way it likes, might leave it prone to relying on instincts alone.
Reasons why dogs may nip at you, when it gets excited
The mammalian class the dog comes from, doesn’t possess digit forelimbs. In fact, the dog tends to walk on all fours, so it’s doesn’t have a versatile way of reacting to it’s environment. This makes it use it’s mouth for a better exploration of it’s environment.
You should know that nipping in dogs is an attitude based on it’s current state or condition. There is no specific reason why your dog nips or bites at you, but there could be instances where it does stuff like these.
These reasons are;
It might fancy playing around. When you move your hands and legs fast, they might get caught up in it’s jovial charade. Most dogs like to play with stuff in their mouth, so your limbs or feet might get caught in it. At times the might just do it to trigger you.
These animals might not be very mentally developed as humans, but they are not entirely dumb. The nipping might be an intentional act to make you act faster based on reflex movement. If your pet dog feels like you’re acting too dull, it might also resort to such tactics.
Another reason why your pet dog might nip at you, is because it might want to calm itself. Most dogs tend to feel at ease when chomping at something, so if your limbs are available, it might be used as a substitute. You should know that various dogs that nip, do so based on their mood.
Whenever your dog is very agitated, it might resort to stuff like these. Knowing that your dog has reached this phase is easy to detect as it’s barks, squeals and erratic movements accompany it. So yeah, it it very normal for your dog to nip at you during times like these.
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Making uncomfortable sounds: This is a very effective method for well trained dogs, as it makes the dog get a vivid picture of your intentions. Since dogs tend to make these sort of sounds when feeling uncomfortable, it is very safe to say that they would recognize this voice, especially when you make it authoritative and high pitched. Saying stuff like “Stop it” or even shouting at it might do the trick, as your dog will know that you don’t fancy it’s nipping.
Distracting it: This is the surest way to ensure that your dog stops nipping at you. The dog is a very sensitive mammal, so it is very easy to get it’s attention. Doing stuffs like, throwing coins, balls etc, will help in distracting the dog from continuously nipping at you. Since it is more fun that just biting at you, they will surely leave the area you stay in, to play with the new cause of attraction.
Using harmless liquid sprays: This method should be used if you are bent on totally irritating the dog. Using stuff like water spray, would definitely yield quicker results, as it would definitely chase the mutt away. You should only resort to methods like this when you are totally frustrated by your dog, as continuously using this method will only make your dog become weary of you.
Providing food: At times, your dog might keep pestering you because it is hungry. Giving it a treat could also be a way to ensure that it stops nipping at you. You could also use food as a distraction, as stuff like crackers, meat can be thrown out. After your dog eats stuff like these, they would probably come back for more, this will enable it pipe down in the long run, by triggering their forgetting of the nipping and pestering business.
Entering it’s space: This method is a very reliable one, as it will surely stop the dog abruptly. A dog that is very agitated is best suited for this method, as this will trigger the shock factor, before resetting everything to normal. It is not advices to get confrontational or violent to the dog, as this will resort in undesirable outcomes.
Always ensure that your dog is comfortable, no matter the condition it’s in. Entering your dog’s space should be done in such a way that, it does not negatively trigger it, as continuously doing so might make your dog very wary of you later on in the future.
Possessing a calm demeanor: The reason why most dogs tend to disturb you, is because you pique it’s interest. At times you should act unaffected when your dog starts overreacting. This will make it lose interest. Reactions made to the dog’s vices, will only make it want to do more. Removing your interest from your agitated pup will make it lose interest in whatever it’s doing to you too.
Exiting the place : When your dog starts taking it overboard, it could cause lots of problems. The nipping and biting might be for playful reasons, but it might prove dangerous, especially if it gets deep into your skin. It might be time to change environment, as you might not realize your pup wants to be alone. Exiting to a public place will reduce the disturbance your dog may give you.
Most dogs nip at their owners because they feel he or she is fun. If you make yourself boring and unresponsive, they might be forced to stop as you’d be seen as lame. Also training your dog, will ensure that it hardly does stuff like these when excited. Because it could prove very dangerous, especially when your dog does it to a stranger in the future
How to prevent Nipping in my puppy for future reasons
It is very important to prevent or stop negative things before they become harder to in the future. Things like nipping and scratching can be tackled, so that this behavioral does not become part of your dog.
Some of these methods are;
Managing it in its environment: You should be aware of the environment your dog lives in, this will help you manage it well. Things should be put in place for restraint, especially when strangers start coming around. You should also employ the use of many play toys, to distract it.
This will help in the reduction of it’s nipping. Tools like the leash, and kernels are very essential, because they give you a sense of relief when it comes to watching over your dog. While doing this, you should ensure your dog gets rewarded for good work. This will make it continue as every dog loves treats. Managing it’s environment and using it to your advantage will help in ensuring your dog nip less.
Providing a better activity : This is the most efficient way to ensure your dog stop nipping. Doing stuff like teaching it how to sit, Frisbee throwing, find the bone, will help it reduce it’s nipping. These activities help it burn up it’s adrenaline, using up it’s excitement will ensure that your dog doesn’t have the time to nip at you or other strangers because it’ll either get tired or hungry.
Using your hands: This is another method you can employ to ensure your dog does not nip. Since most dogs have to stretch before nipping at our flesh, you could use your finger to poke it’s nozzle, this will help it keep it’s mouth fat from your skin. Many dogs that have been trained with this method, tend to put their nose on people’s fingers instead of biting them. This method takes lots of time and lots of training is required too.
Final Thoughts
Ensuring your dog doesn’t nip at people, starts from the training you give it at home. As much as you are your puppy’s friend and companion, you are also it’s master and caretaker, so as much as you need to protect and take care of your dog, it is also essential to train it perfectly.
Preventing nipping in your dog, will not only help in ensuring that it does not injure people, but it will also help in preventing the attack of viral diseases like measles. If your dog is nipping at you because it is uncomfortable, you should check out what the problem is, and if medical, it is advised to visit the veterinary doctor.
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