Dogs can be fun-loving and very affectionate, but it’s not fun when they start to bite, cjump, and mouth. Although using their mouth and limbs is their natural way of exploring the world, the harmless play can turn into an unwanted behavior if it isn’t addressed while they are still young.
Dogs who jump and nip can be scary and dangerous especially when they turn into adults. Teaching them to stop jumping and biting is imperative for a peaceful stay at home and even outdoor activities.
We share with you some solutions to your dog’s behavioral issue of biting and jumping up. Learn what to do when your dog jumps and bites while walking.
How to Stop Your Dog from Jumping
Your dog wants attention, and jumping is one of the many ways they will try to get it. As a dog owner, you have to teach your pup that you will only give them attention when it is warranted. Instil in them the idea that the best way to get attention is by keeping their four paws on the ground.
Try these tips to stop your dog from jumping:
- One of the simplest ways to get them to stay down is to turn around when they jump up. Fold your arms as you do this and say “off”. Keep doing it until they stop jumping. If your dog finally stops, praise them and ask them to sit. Praise them calmly again if they obey. Remember that an excited voice can encourage the jumping again. Repeating this method over and over will make your pup realize that jumping means no attention, and sitting means precious attention.
- Another way you can stop your dog from jumping on you or other people is by getting down on their level instead of having them jump up to yours. Every time your dog jumps up, just squat down to their level to give them affection. Remember to touch them and only give them attention once they are already down.
- If your puppy jumps up, you could grab their front paws and dance them. They will hate it and they will stop jumping on you. But if it seems like a reward to them, this tip will not be effective.
- When your dog jumps on you, hide a toy in the room and ask them to find the toy. This mental stimulation can wear them out. Show them their favorite toy and then roll it up in a towel to make a puzzle. Encourage them to unravel it for the reward.
Watch this video for more tips:
How to Stop Your Dog from Biting
To stop your dog from biting, you’ll be needing toys, treats, time, and patience. If your dog is still a puppy, you need to know that a puppy’s baby teeth will fall out and be replaced by their adult teeth. This is a time of discomfort for them because they are experiencing sore gums.
You should not stop your dog from chewing since it is a necessity in their development. Instead, make sure you give your puppy appropriate and safe things to chew.
Try these tips:
- You have to begin by creating alternatives for your hands, fingers, feet, and toes that your dog loves to chew or bite. Try giving them chew treats and toys when you want to pet them, inspect their fur, or play with them. So when you reach out to give them a belly rub, always have these things ready with you to direct the chewing and biting to the object. Teach every member in the house about this.
- You can also teach them that biting is bad behavior by saying “ouch” each time they try to mouth you. Let your dog know that you are hurting and the behavior should not be tolerated. As soon as you say this, turn your back and ignore them.
- Another option is to encourage non-contact forms of play. This may include tug of war, fetch, and other games instead of wrestling. As an added bonus, these games will prepare them for dealing with arousal and frustration.
- If mouthing or biting continues to be a challenging issue for you and your dog, don’t be afraid to seek the help of a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT). These dog trainers will offer group or private training sessions that can address the issue of mouthing on your dog.
Watch this video for more tips!
What You Shouldn’t Do When Your Dog Jumps and Bites
Here’s a list of don’ts when trying to train your dog good manners:
- Don’t ever yell at your dog, or hit or shove them when they jump and bite you. This will only trigger them to be fearful and defensive. They might start to hide from you and become aggressive which will only worsen the biting. They might also perceive hitting as a sign of play, so they might think you’re approving of the bad behavior.
- Don’t jerk your mouth or feet away from your dog when they attempt to mouth. These movements might also seem like a game to them and they will be encouraged to jump forward and bite you a little harder. An effective solution is to just let your hands or feet go limp when they mouth so they won’t be interesting or fun to play with.
- Don’t stop your dog from enjoying their playtime with you just because they jump or bite. This activity builds a strong bond between a dog and their family. You have to teach your dog to play gently rather than not playing at all.
- Do not be the only one in the house who knows these tips. Make sure the whole family are on the same page. Even your visitors should know what to do when your dog bites them or jumps on them.
- Do not make your dog feel like they still have to jump and bite you just to get attention. Recognize that they mean well and make the effort to come down to their level to greet them and to also help stop the habit.
What to Do When Your Dog Jumps and Bites While Walking
If you can train and control your dog’s jumping and biting while at home it will make your outings with your pup much more enjoyable.
If you find that your dog is well behaved at home and only jumps and bites while walking, here are a few extra things you can try:
- Make the effort to train your dog to walk on a leash.
- Have consistency with your commands. Use the same training commands that you do at home so your dog understands what behavior you expect.
- Avoid walking your dog around other people until they are properly trained, to help reduce temptation.
- Always have treats handy so you can encourage your dog to focus on you instead of other people.
Consistency is Key
We hope we’re able to help you with some of the tips to stop your dog from jumping and biting.
These methods will take you a lot of time and effort. In this regard, consistency is key to any acceptable behavior from your dog.
Have a happy training with your four-legged friend!
