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Biting Dogs - Breaking the Habit

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Biting Dogs - Breaking the HabitBy Samantha Matheny

All dogs are pre-dispositioned to biting. When adult dogs bite, it is much more likely to cause an injury to whomever is bitten than when a puppy bites. So how you do stop a dog or canine from biting? With careful monitoring, patience, and lots of training, your dog will stop biting.

The very first thing you must do to stop your dog from biting is identify what makes the dog uncomfortable. Knowing what is causing the problem makes it solvable. Next you need to figure out precisely what kind of aggression your dog is displaying. Yes, he bites, however is it out of fear or dominance?

If your dog is biting out of fear, he is doing it as a last ditch effort to make you see he cannot handle the situation he is in. Learn to recognize the signs of his panic. Anxious dogs all show the same signs; a tucked tail, a crouched position, ears lying flat against the head, and even urination. Once you see these signs, immediately remove your dog from the situation until he calms down. Do not try to cuddle or comfort him. It just reinforces being frightened and scared is the proper response.

Once he calms back down, go ahead and slowly bring him closer to whatever it is that scared him. Do not push him into doing anythinghe is not comfortable with. When he shows no signs of anxiety, reward him with lots of praise, cuddles, and even a treat. With time, the fear and anxiety will subside.

If your dog is biting out of aggression, he is showing you that he is the top dog. This can be a very risky situation if it is not controlled immediately. The greatest way to handle dominant, aggressive behavior is steady, regular obedience work, which will stress your authority over your dog. It only take two fifteen-minute sessions a day to make it clear to your dog that you are the boss, and that it is rewarding to do what you say. You can make this fact clear to him by rewarding him (with treats and generous praise) for obeying a command, and isolating him (putting him in "time-out", either outside the house or in a room by himself) for misbehavior.

Curious about learning more? Come to check out more articles at Mean Dogs and learn more about aggressive dogs and how to handle them.

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Top Biting Dog Breeds

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Top Biting Dog BreedsBy Samantha Matheny

All dogs have the propensity (a tendency, preference, or attraction) to bite; it is in their nature. Some breeds, however, seem to have a tendency to nip and bite more than others. My list of the top ten biting breeds will surprise you; not containing the breeds commonly thought of to be the most aggressive.

In July 2008, the journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science published a study done by researches at the University of Pennsylvania. They surveyed and discussed with over 6,000 dog owners their experiences with aggression in their dogs. The researchers compiled a report containing 33 dog breeds most likely to bite. Here are the dog breeds with the greatest percentage of bites and bite attempts on humans.

  • Dachshund. Yes, the sausage dog is most likely to bite strangers and its owners.
  • Chihuahua. These are big dogs in a small package, and none are afraid to tell you so. Chihuahuas are very likely to bite strangers and owners.
  • Jack Russell Terrier. These feisty small dogs are also quick to nip. They have a tendency to try to nip at strangers and family members.
  • Australian Cattle Dog. This breed is great to have around the home, however you must be careful; they are herding dogs, which means they are very likely to nip family and strangers.
  • AmericanCocker Spaniel. A common breed in many homes in the United States, this dog does have tendencies to nip and bite at owners.
  • Beagle. Another family favorite, beagles seem to nip and bite at their families.

There are other breeds, like the Akita and Pit Bull Terrier, which are more prone to trying to nip or bite other dogs or animals.

It must always be kept in mind that small dogs often go un-reprimanded for biting. Many owners find it cute. It is also the only way a small dog has to get people to back up. Remember, you are a giant to him!

There are many breeds of dogs, like Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Mastiffs, who often get a bad reputation for biting. These dogs have been bred to be protective dogs, plus their size makes them do serious damage when they do bite. Because of this, more stigma is put on the breed.

Want to learn more? You can check out more articles at 4 Legs And A Tail or discuss training methods and techniques at the forum.

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My Dog Greets by Biting

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My Dog Greets by BitingBy Samantha Matheny

Most small dogs greet you at the door when you come home. Some small dogs jump all over the place and bark madly until you acknowledge they are there. All this is fine and dandy until your small dog starts biting you to get your attention. Now that the problem has gotten to the point of someone can get hurt, what do you do?

When greeting the dog, keep calm and relaxed. Most people get too excited when they see their dog, and the dog gets too excited, too. The difference is that the dog does not understand how to moderate its behavior, and this often results in hyper and excited behavior; barking relentlessly, nipping or biting, jumping on you, etc. People way too often find the dog's excitement cute, so their dogs get so wound up they have a difficult time calming down.

To put a stop to this behavior, do not talk, touch, or acknowledge the animal when you walk in the door. Try to ignore the dog entirely as you come in and put your things away. Practice this until you are doing it without realizing. Remember the dog is hooked on acquiring your attention and praise. Never reward this type of behavior.

Until your dog is completely calm and relaxed, continue to ignore him. Do not praise or reinforce any excitement in any way. It is vital that you allow the dog to become calm and sedate before you acknowledge its presence.

Assoon as the dog relaxes, you can bend down and gently stroke and greet your dog in a low, gentle tone of voice. Do not use the high squeak that gets him exited. When your dog realizes calm behavior is rewarded by the attention he so desperately seeks, he will know better than to get all worked up. If you being to praise or pet the dog while he is behaving hyper, you will set your progress back weeks, so do not do it.

If your dog nips in excitement, be careful. Nipping is a sign of aggression and it should never be taken lightly. If you greet the dog believing he has calmed down, however then he nips in excitement, say "No." very firmly, then say "Time Out." Help your dog to a quiet room and let him stay there by himself for about 5 minutes. This shows the dog that his behavior is unacceptable, and that if he does it, he will be separated from you. Let her out and start over. Ignore your dog until he is calm, then you can calmly say hello.

If you would like to read more about biting dogs, check out Mean Dogs. There you can find more articles on training and stopping biting from any dog.