If you want to learn ‘how to stop your puppy biting you aggressively’ then I hear you. As do the thousands of other owners facing the exact same problem.
Puppies might bite for different reasons, but all those reasons have one thing in common – they’re dangerous. Not to mention painful.
Even if your pup’s biting is infrequent and mild, no one wants to be bitten by an overly aggressive pup. And if that aggression isn’t so friendly… well, no one wants to be that person either.
Now for the good news. If your pup’s aggressive biting habit has started to become just a little bit unpredictable, it can often be managed effectively before it escalates into anything more serious.
The trick, as is with most things puppy related comes down to:
a) establishing the root cause,
b) early intervention, and
c) consistency
So if you’re ready to put an end to your pup’s dangerous biting habit, the first logical step is teaching your pup to be calm and in control of their emotions.
Why?
Because if you can effectively teach your puppy to relax, you’ll also find they’ll be a lot less likely to bite in any type of situation that triggers it.
So before you do anything else, I’d highly recommend taking a few minutes to check out the Dog Calming Code from Dan Abdelnoor over at The Online Dog Trainer. (see video below)
Not only will this program help your puppy remain calm and in control. It’ll also teach them to become highly responsive and obedient while reducing their natural aggressive tendencies.
While it won’t do all the hard work for you. I guarantee that if you both watch the video and apply the training Dan recommends to your pup’s routine consistently, you’ll be well on your way to changing their behavior for the better.
Anyway, here’s the link you need: Click Here To Check Out The Dog Calming Code And Discover How To Finally Stop Your Pup’s Scary, Dangerous Biting Problem… Even If You’ve Tried And Failed Before!
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Why Is My Puppy So Aggressive?
In some ways, aggression is the most natural thing in the world.
Ultimately, it’s a form of expression.
While we express our negative emotions and thoughts by yelling or getting upset, puppies use other ways.
They growl they bark, they snap… they communicate.
The problem is, it’s a style of communication that’s not always appreciated. It’s especially not appreciated when it’s allowed to go unchecked.
And therein lies the problem.
The occasional growl or bark from your pup might be annoying, but depending on the circumstances, it’s not necessarily dangerous.
But a puppy that’s allowed to get away with could soon flip the script and eventually decide to go on the offensive. And that’s when the real problems start.
Even a puppy that never acts on certain aggressive behavior needs to be taught to stop. After all, a playful nip is one thing: a full-force bite is quite another.
The point here is that ALL biting behaviors need to be treated as equal.
Basically, it all needs to be discouraged.
That said, treating your puppy as an individual by figuring out the root cause of their behavior is going to be crucial in determining the right modification technique.
A puppy who bites because they’re scared, for example, may need to be treated quite differently from a puppy who bites because they’re protective.
So before jumping to the solution, take a moment to consider what could be motivating your pup’s behavior.
Some of the most common reasons include:
They Want to Play
Puppies don’t want to be cuddled all day long. They want to play.
So if you do anything to suggest a game (stroke them, clap your knees as though initiating a game, etc.), up goes the excitement, and down come the teeth.
And with this comes unpredictability and in some cases, unwanted aggression.
You need to keep in mind that what often starts as play can soon escalate into an unsafe level of aggression depending on your pup’s nature.
And once that fight or flight response kicks in, you’ll be hard pushed to dial things down and regain control of the situation.
They Haven’t Been Socialized
Sometimes, biting could be a sign that they’ve not been properly socialized.
If puppies aren’t exposed to a wide variety of people, pets, and situations from an early age. They can become anxious or fearful around anything unfamiliar.
Unfortunately, fear and anxiety can often translate into displays of aggression.
The problem is particularly apparent in pups who’ve experienced abuse or traumas in the past. As well as dogs who’ve spent most of their lives being passed from one temporary home to another.
Once dogs like this find a ‘safe-haven,’ they may feel the need to defend it against threats.
They’re Possessive
All dogs are possessive to an extent (as are humans, when you think about it) but left unchecked, it can quickly develop into a problem.
While some puppies can get super possessive about high-value items like toys or food. Others can get possessive about people.
If your puppy thinks they ‘own’ you. They may become aggressive or display other undesirable behaviors at anyone who gets in between you and them.
It’s in Their Genes
Herding breeds like Corgis, Collies, and German Shepherds have a higher risk of biting than other breeds.
The reason is simple enough. As working dogs, their function was to herd sheep and cattle. Nipping and biting at the heels of the animals was the easiest way of getting them to move.
That instinct is still there… even though it’s a lot less useful than they think it is.
It’s a Habit
It’s not uncommon for some owners to give in and just accept that aggression is part and parcel of being a puppy.
Eventually, they come to the conclusion that biting, nipping, and other aggressive behavior is just part of the game.
Some owners may even be encouraging the behavior unknowingly.
To make matters worse, an untrained dog often can’t tell the difference between what is and isn’t acceptable.
This is a huge problem, especially with larger, powerful breeds such as Rotties, Dobermans, German Shepherds to name a few.
This is also where the techniques Dan discusses inside The Dog Calming Code really come in handy.
Not only will you learn how to stop unwanted behaviors like biting, but you’ll also discover simple, highly effective calming exercises to keep your pup’s emotions in check.
So if you haven’t had a chance to watch the video, here’s the link you need…
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How to Spot the Signs of Aggression
Many types of aggression can be passed off as a general warning.
But some types aren’t.
For instance, if a dog or puppy happens to nip or bite out of fear and frustration and it isn’t managed appropriately. This same nip can easily escalate into aggression.
Worse still, recognizing the difference between a playful nip and one that’s intended as a ‘warning’ isn’t always easy.
That said, there are a few telltale signs that give the game away.
When a dog is showing aggression, they tend to adopt a stiff, rigid posture. They may tense their muzzle and curl their lips to expose their teeth.
However, dogs who simply want to play will have a loose, relaxed posture.
Both may growl. But whereas a low-pitched, guttural growl is a sign of aggression, a high-pitched, sharp bark is a sign of play.
How to Stop Aggressive Biting
Before you can dial down your pup’s aggression, you need to identify the root cause.
Although any kind of aggression should be discouraged, different motivations need different treatment.
Consider factors like your puppy’s age, whether the biting is generalized or happens only around guests, and whether your pup displays any other fearful or aggressive behaviors.
When it comes to training, you need to think about the big picture. It might be frustrating when your puppy starts demonstrating undesirable behaviors. But the problem is still the biting, not the person or thing that’s causing it.
If you want to address the problem, you need to address the problem, period.
For instance, trying to stop your puppy from biting on walks isn’t going to work if you let them get away with it at home.
Remember, puppies respond to consistency. So be mindful to keep working on discouraging negative behaviors (whether they’re aggressive or not) and encouraging positive ones.
Avoid Provocative Games
Dogs can often become aggressive and bite due to boredom or stress, so finding a new outlet for their energy is crucial.
Avoid playing games that encourage biting (roughhousing, etc). And stick to games that allow your puppy to let off some steam without engaging in any undesirable behaviors.
Dial Back Aggressive Play
If your puppy has a habit of biting during play, you need to set boundaries of what is and isn’t acceptable.
To make things easier, avoid doing things that initiate aggression. Patting the sides of their face, playful nudges, or again, ‘roughhousing’ will just perpetuate the idea that biting is part of the game.
If they do end up getting riled you while you’re playing, avoid escalating the situation. End the game and take a few minutes to let your puppy calm down and relax.
It may seem obvious, but it’s a sure-fire way to dial down the emotion.
Get Them Checked Out
If your puppy has only recently started demonstrating aggressive behavior, and if it’s accompanied by any other out-of-character behavior, something might be wrong.
If you’ve any reason to suspect a health issue could be to blame for their behavior, get them checked out by a vet as soon as possible.
Win Your Puppy’s Mind
Here’s one of the most important lessons that can be summed up in a few simple words…
…” It’s about winning your puppy’s mind first”
See, dogs come in all shapes and sizes.
Some are naturally mild-mannered and calm…
…Some can be a little overbearing at times.
…And some are just downright Crazy with a capital “C”
But the one thing they all have in common is they respect the pack leader.
Now, if you’re one of the lucky few, your puppy may already see you as the pack leader.
Other times, it may a little time and effort to steer them in the right direction.
And if you’re one of the very unlucky ones (as many are), getting your puppy to calm down is about as easy as getting a toddler to take a nap after 6 cans of Redbull.
But no matter what your situation, getting your puppy on the path to success will always come down to the same thing…
…Winning their mind.
Flashback to when I was a young inexperienced puppy parent.
It was one of the most stressful times of my life.
And here’s the thing…
It wasn’t that I was applying the wrong training techniques to my pup’s routine.
Far from it…
It was because I was missing the critical step of winning his mind first.
Once I got my head around this, everything instantly fell into place.
This is also why it’s a HUGE MISTAKE to train your pup without first getting to grips with this one core principle.
And it’s effortless once you know how to do it.
Anyway, if you want to hit the ground running and discover how to quickly win your puppy’s mind and stop all those frustrating problems that have been driving you insane, check out The Dog Calming Code.
Not only will you discover how to win your pup’s mind. But you’ll also learn how to teach your puppy to control the natural impulses that trigger unwanted biting.
Anyway, here’s the link you need: Click Here To Check Out The Dog Calming Code And Discover How To Finally Stop Your Pup’s Scary, Dangerous Biting Problem… Even If You’ve Tried And Failed Before!
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What Others Are Saying About The Dog Calming Code
Following Doggy Dan’s 5 Golden Rules has changed our lives for the better. Our 2 dogs are calmer, happier, and enjoying life — so much more now, they aren’t fighting to be Alpha dogs.
Our youngest was chasing cars, terrified of people when out walking, and generally very stressed. Now, she is a pleasure to walk not reactive at all. She enjoys her time on the lead.
Highly recommend Doggy Dan Training to all!
Lisa C.
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I purchased The Dog Calming Code because I was at wit’s end with my dog’s constant barking, all day and night.
Within 1 week of following The 5 Golden Rules, my dog is barking 90% less and is much calmer.
We still have a long way to go but I now have hope and tools to work with him that actually work.
Thank you, Doggy Dan.
Summer H.
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The key is keeping myself calm. And putting in practice a really new approach: avoid talking much with your dog.
If possible use body language instead of words. This has calmed my nervous German Shepherd in only 2 days.
Elena R.
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I was reticent about purchasing Dan’s Dog Calming Code.
Luna really is a sweetheart and loves loves loves people. And she runs up to greet them and jumps as high as she can to say hello.
And, when they visited and sat down, she jumped for joy right into their laps.
Nothing that I tried seemed to work. So, I finally purchased the Dog Calming Code to be able to work with Luna.
What a difference!
It took Luna and me a while to retrain ourselves, but Luna is now much calmer around people and she literally sits and waits to be invited up on someone’s lap or even up on the sofa.
So much more pleasant than yelling “stop jumping”.
A great choice!
Sunny R.
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I recently purchased the Dog Calming Code and have been practicing implementing the techniques with my 5 month old puppy.
I’m a first-time dog owner so I have a lot to learn!
I love the approach Doggy Dan takes and his instructional videos make it easy to follow.
The calming effect works both ways, the better informed I become, the more calm and confident I can be like my dog’s leader!
Chloe D.
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Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, a puppy that demonstrates the odd bout of aggression isn’t uncommon. But that doesn’t mean it’s ok to let it continue.
The sooner your puppy learns that biting isn’t acceptable, the better it will be for everyone.
Not only does it decrease the risk of those mild aggressive traits turning into something more serious down the line. But it also makes it way less embarrassing around others.
Find the root cause and apply the solution. That might be easier said than done, but with a hefty dose of consistency and patience, you’ll get there
Want To Learn 5 Simple Exercises You Can Use RIGHT NOW To Stop Your Pups Frustrating, Annoying Biting Habit?
Let me ask you this…
- Does your puppy refuse to stop biting?
- Do they obsessively nip and mouth your hands and feet at every opportunity?
- Are they always attempting to sink their teeth into other people or dogs?
- Are you sick and tired of them ripping apart your clothes, or scared they’ll cause serious injury to an unsuspecting victim?
My Everyday Dog Training Tools
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