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How to Stop Puppy Biting

In order to stop puppy biting, you first need to realize that it has nothing to do with puppy teething or chewing. It is a separate issue on its own, that you will to put a stop to.

Growing up in their litters, puppies play bite each other. This is how they learn to interact and determine who is above who in their pack.



Puppy teeth are extremely sharp, and when they sink their little fangs into you, even though they are playing, you absolutely know it!

stop puppy biting, splashed Chihuahua puppy with red basket

Since Chihuahuas are known as ankle-biters anyway, you really want to stop this behavior as quick as possible!

Though the biting may be gentle at first, it should never be allowed, as it can lead to bigger problems as they mature.

If they are not taught that this is unacceptable, it can progress to true nipping and even true biting later in life.

When your Chihuahua tries to bite on you, very firmly tell him no. When he attempts to do it again (usually within a second or two!) put his chin in the palm of your hand, sit him down, and again repeat “no”.

While he is still in the sit position, and not biting you, pet him on the head and tell him “good boy”.

This will have to be repeated many, many times!

You should always have plenty of dog chew toys laying around for the puppy chewing stage. Then, when your pup bites on the clothing you are wearing, you can remove his grip from you and give him one of his toys instead. Remember to praise him when he takes the toy!

You will need to be careful when trying to remove your Chihuahua's teeth from your clothing, as you do not want to accidentally loosen his teeth.

Puppies seem to especially enjoy biting on children. You need to be extra diligent to stop this, as it can turn into a dominance issue, where your Chihuahua may start to believe that he is above the children in rank.

Some pups quickly learn not to bite and others seem to take forever before they finally stop.

Your job is to not give up in training her to stop this behavior, as she will eventually learn that it isn't allowed!




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