How to Train a Boxer Puppy to Not Bite

Hello Nicole, At his age that is completely normal and how puppies naturally interact with other puppies and learn - they have to be taught not to bite people. I suggest following the Yelping method right now while also working on the Leave It method. When she gets good at the Leave It command, then you can switch to that and can enforce your Leave It command by using the Pressure method as a gentle way to discipline I she disobeys Leave It. It's important to teach her self-control with the Yelping method Leave It command before disciplining for the biting though or she won't understand why she is being disciplined or what to do instead of biting. She is young, doing what comes naturally, and needs your help to learn something new. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-boxer-puppy-to-not-bite Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Daniel, Work on teaching your pup the "Out" command, which means leave the area. Check out the article linked below for how to do that. You can enforce the command for your kids too once you have taught him what the command means. When they tell him "Out" if he does not obey, get between him and the child and firmly but calmly walk toward him and herd him out of the area near your child until he is several feet away. Stand in front of him, blocking him from getting back to the child until he stops trying to return to that area or walks away from the area entirely. Be firm and calm when you do this. If you get flustered he will likely think you are playing. By using Out, you are teaching him to leave the area completely (removing the temptation to bite) and you are conveying with body language that what you are blocking him from belongs to you and he needs to respect that space or thing. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Also, work on teaching the "Leave It" command. Check out the article linked below and the "Leave It" method. He needs to develop impulse control and Leave It around moving objects is one way to help with that. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Also, enroll him in a puppy class that has time for puppy play and socialization in a structured way, where the trainer separates puppies to give them a break if things get to rough. This is moderated play and playing with other puppies can help pups learn how to control how hard they bite when they bite. Ideally the class would also have time where everyone practices passing each other's puppies around and handling them while they give treats to teach tolerance too. Many classes also include teaching Leave It. If you can find a Sirius Pup brand class in your city, they may teach all of those things. Look for a similar type of class though. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Lana, First, I suggest teaching him the Leave It command. Check out the article linked below and follow the Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Second, work on building his respect by practicing the following commands and protocols to build his impulse control, respect, calmness, and listening: Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Crate manners: https://thegooddog.net/training-videos/free-how-to-training-videos/learn-to-train-the-good-dog-way-the-crate/ Thresholds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Heel Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiKVc4ZZWo Dog Training Do’s https://www.solidk9training.com/sk9-blog/2016/09/08/the-ten-commandments-of-dog-training-and-ownership-do-2 Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Thomas, First, know that what you described is normal but you also probably just got a pup with a bit stronger personality this time - not bad just more excitable and bold so the biting seems worse. If you can find a good puppy kindergarten class with time for off-leash play or a free puppy play date class attend one of those with him so that he can learn how to control the pressure of his bite by playing with other puppies. Petco and some other pet stores with training offer free puppy play classes if you call and ask for the schedule. A paid kindergarten class would have the benefits of training too. If you have any friends with puppies under 6 months of age, set up play dates with those puppies too. Moderate the puppies' play and whenever one pup seems overwhelmed or they are all getting too excited, interrupt their play, let everyone calm down, then let the most timid pup go first to see if they still want to play - if they do, then you can let the other puppies go too when they are waiting for permission. Second, check out the article linked below. Starting today, use the "Yelp" method. At the same time however, begin teaching "Leave It" from the "Leave It" method. As soon as pup is good as the Leave It game, start telling pup to "Leave It" when he attempts to bite or is tempted to bite. Reward pup if he makes a good choice. If he disobeys your leave it command, use the Pressure method to gently discipline pup for biting when you told him not to. The order or all of this is very important - the yelp method can be used for the next couple of weeks while pup is learning leave it, but leave it will teach pup to stop the biting entirely. The pressure method teaches pup that you mean what you say without being overly harsh - but because you have taught pup to leave it first, pup clearly understands that you are not just roughhousing (which is what pup probably thinks most of the time right now), so it is more effective. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite When pup gets especially wound up, he probably needs a nap too. At this age puppies will sometimes get really hyper when they are overtired or haven't had any mental stimulation through something like training. When you spot that and think pup could be tired, place pup in their crate or an exercise pen with a food stuffed Kong for a bit to help him calm down and rest. Also, know that mouthiness at this age is completely normal. It's not fun but it is normal for it to take some time for a puppy to learn self-control well enough to stop. Try not to get discouraged if you don't see instant progress, any progress and moving in the right direction in this area is good, so keep at it. Most puppies take about 3 months to really do well with mouthing even with consistent training - my goal for puppies is to have them stop completely by 5 months of age - when their jaws get stronger. Commands that increase self-control in general and teach pup calmness are also good things to teach. These commands will take time to teach of course, but if your pup is a bolder pup, these commands would be especially good to work on over the next year. If you have other friends' with puppies, why not invite them over, sending them the following videos and articles too, and practice it all together - allowing puppies to learn and be socialized. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Crate manners: https://thegooddog.net/training-videos/free-how-to-training-videos/learn-to-train-the-good-dog-way-the-crate/ Thresholds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Heel Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiKVc4ZZWo Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Leave It: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out - which means leave the room: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ As far as biting objects, I suggest teaching Leave It, Out, Crate Training, tethering pup to you with a leash as needed, and using a spray deterrent on the areas pup tends to chew the most - such as bitter apple or bitter melon spray. A strong leave it and Out command are super important here but that will take some time to teach so spraying a deterrent spray can help manage. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Janell, I would definitely work on desensitizing her to walking, the harness, the leash and car again. At this age, this fear can very likely be overcome, but if you quit working on it, pup may stay afraid into adulthood, and she will need to be able to travel and walk on a leash later in life, in addition to needing the socialization now to develop a great temperament as an adult. Harness reintroduction video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn5b8u1YS_g&feature=emb_title Getting pup used to wearing the leash again - I would start with having pup just drag the leash around the house again, then progressing to the training where she walks with you: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-your-puppy-to-accept-leash For the car riding, start practicing Down-Stay and Sit- Stay in the car without going anywhere. Play treat hiding - where treats are placed on the floor of the stationary vehicle, until pup likes being in the car again. Do this without the car moving until pup is visibly relaxed in the car again. When pup can handle being in the car, start taking pup to fun but calm locations close by - such as a local field or calm park in or near your neighborhood. You want pup to associate the car with fun things but also things that are calm and not overwhelming, until pup is able to relax in the car again and not expect a visit to the vet as the norm. Pay attention to pup's body language and the environment. Some pups don't want to walk because they are afraid of a neighborhood dog in a fence barking, construction workers, funny objects (like Christmas decorations), and things we would never think twice about. If pup isn't familiar with something (no matter how normal it may seem to us) it can feel scary to pup and be a reason why they don't want to leave the safety of the yard. If pup seems nervous or something might be bothering them in the environment, work on helping pup overcome that fear first by using play and treats to distract pup and then reward pup for any confidence, calmness, or tolerance they shows around the fearful thing. Practice this further away from the scary thing first and very gradually work up to pup being able to pass that thing as her confidence grows with your help. If she is nervous being simply out of your yard, like on walks also, spend time with her outside in your front yard, a close by cul-de-sac and other areas of your neighborhood, with pup on a long leash. Simply sit and relax there to let her get used to sights and sounds in the area, and play fun games on the long leash, like short range fetch, tug, easy treat finding games - where treats are sprinkled in grass or dirt without pesticides or car spills, and Round Robin - a come game on a long leash that involved pup going back and forth between two people to earn treats. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Renee, First, if you can find a free puppy play date class attend one of those with him so that she can learn how to control the pressure of his bite by playing with other puppies. Petco and some other pet stores with training offer free puppy play classes if you call and ask for the schedule. If you have any friends with puppies under 6 months of age, set up play dates with those puppies too. Moderate the puppies' play and whenever one pup seems overwhelmed or they are all getting too excited, interrupt their play, let everyone calm down, then let the most timid pup go first to see if they still want to play - if they do, then you can let the other puppies go too when they are waiting for permission. Second, check out the article linked below. Starting today, use the "Yelp" method. At the same time however, begin teaching "Leave It" from the "Leave It" method. As soon as pup is good as the Leave It game, start telling pup to "Leave It" when she attempts to bite or is tempted to bite. Reward pup if she makes a good choice. If she disobeys your leave it command, use the Pressure method to gently discipline pup for biting when you told her not to. The order or all of this is very important - the yelp method can be used for the next couple of weeks while pup is learning leave it, but leave it will teach pup to stop the biting entirely. The pressure method teaches pup that you mean what you say without being overly harsh - but because you have taught pup to leave it first, pup clearly understands that you are not just roughhousing (which is what pup probably thinks most of the time right now), so it is more effective. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite When pup gets especially wound up, she probably needs a nap too. At this age puppies will sometimes get really hyper when they are overtired or haven't had any mental stimulation through something like training. When you spot that and think pup could be tired, place pup in their crate or an exercise pen with a food stuffed Kong for a bit to help her calm down and rest. Also, know that mouthiness at this age is completely normal. It's not fun but it is normal for it to take some time for a puppy to learn self-control well enough to stop. Try not to get discouraged if you don't see instant progress, any progress and moving in the right direction in this area is good, so keep at it. Commands that increase self-control in general and teach pup calmness are also good things to teach. These commands will take time to teach of course, but they can also be a great way to create your own puppy class with pup. If you have other friends' with puppies, why not invite them over, sending them the following videos and articles too, and practice it all together - allowing puppies to learn and be socialized. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Crate manners: https://thegooddog.net/training-videos/free-how-to-training-videos/learn-to-train-the-good-dog-way-the-crate/ Thresholds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Leave It: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out - which means leave the room: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Julysa, Check out the article linked below and follow both the Quiet method and the Desensitization method. Also, pay attention to whether pup's barking is getting her what she wants. Is she barking to get out of the crate, eat, be petted, ect...Then someone is giving her that thing. Be sure that she isn't being some how rewarded for barking, and look for times of quiet to reward instead. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, I think consulting a trainer for help with Kobe is a great idea. It is a worthwhile investment that will enable everyone in the family to know how to handle a rambunctious puppy who seems to have extra energy and a love of biting. It is good that he is walking well on the leash. You can start some training there, by working on his heeling skills. Try the Turns Method here: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel. This will get Kobe to focus and work with a little direction as opposed to being all over the place. Start obedience training: https://wagwalking.com/training/obedience-train-a-great-dane. Kobe will learn that respect is part of his membership in the family. You've got to have everyone on board with the training and practice. So yes, consult a trainer in your area (you can ask the vet for recommendations or make calls and ask the philosophy of the trainer to see if you agree). Good luck!

Hello! I am going to send you information on nipping/biting and some suggestions on how to curb that behavior. Nipping: Puppies may nip for a number of reasons. Nipping can be a means of energy release, getting attention, interacting and exploring their environment or it could be a habit that helps with teething. Whatever the cause, nipping can still be painful for the receiver, and it’s an action that pet parents want to curb. Some ways to stop biting before it becomes a real problem include: Using teething toys. Distracting with and redirecting your dog’s biting to safe and durable chew toys is one way to keep them from focusing their mouthy energies to an approved location and teach them what biting habits are acceptable. Making sure your dog is getting the proper amount of exercise. Exercise is huge. Different dogs have different exercise needs based on their breed and size, so check with your veterinarian to make sure that yours is getting the exercise they need. Dogs—and especially puppies—use their playtime to get out extra energy. With too much pent-up energy, your pup may resort to play biting. Having them expel their energy in positive ways - including both physical and mental exercise - will help mitigate extra nips. Being consistent. Training your dog takes patience, practice and consistency. With the right training techniques and commitment, your dog will learn what is preferred behavior. While sometimes it may be easier to let a little nipping activity go, be sure to remain consistent in your cues and redirection. That way, boundaries are clear to your dog. Using positive reinforcement. To establish preferred behaviors, use positive reinforcement when your dog exhibits the correct behavior. For instance, praise and treat your puppy when they listen to your cue to stop unwanted biting as well as when they choose an appropriate teething toy on their own. Saying “Ouch!” The next time your puppy becomes too exuberant and nips you, say “OUCH!” in a very shocked tone and immediately stop playing with them. Your puppy should learn - just as they did with their littermates - that their form of play has become unwanted. When they stop, ensure that you follow up with positive reinforcement by offering praise, treat and/or resuming play. Letting every interaction with your puppy be a learning opportunity. While there are moments of dedicated training time, every interaction with your dog can be used as a potential teaching moment.

Hello Natasha, At this age pup has a very limited bladder capacity - only 1.1.5 hours likely. I would set up an exercise pen and a disposable real grass pad for pup to go potty on at night. Place a non-absorbent bed on one end and a couple of grass pads on the opposite end of the exercise pen. Check out www.primopads.com or https://k9ballistics.com/ for some non-absorbent bed options. Go ahead and practice the Surprise method from the article linked below to get pup used to the crate for short periods during the day so that pup will make the transition to crate training more easily at 8 weeks. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate At 8 weeks, begin to crate pup at night too. Know that an 8 week old puppy will still need to go potty a couple of times at night. When pup wakes after it's been at least 2 hours since their last potty trip, take pup potty on a leash, keep the trip boring, then return pup to the crate after they go potty, and ignore any crying until they go back to sleep, each time they wake after 2 hours needing to go. If you are consistent pup should gradually begin sleeping longer stretches as their bladder capacity increases. As a rule an awake puppy can hold their bladder for the number of months they are in age plus one. Once pup is used to the crate and stays asleep more at night, that number can as much as double, but that still means that a 2 month old puppy will need to go potty every 4 hours at night even until ideal circumstances, or else pup will not be able to help having an accident. Check out the free PDF e-book AFTER You Get Your Puppy as well. www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Kim, First, I suggest crate training the puppy. Use the Surprise method from the article linked below to gradually help him learn to be calm in the crate and to relax by using rewards for being Quiet. https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Crate pup at night and when you leave, and you can use an exercise pen with some toys in it also. When you cannot directly supervise the dogs together, puppy should be crated or in the pen. If you want pup to be free but don't want to chase after her while you are home, you can also clip her to yourself using a six-foot leash, so that she has to stay near you and not wander near your other dog. When you are supervising, teach both dogs the Out command (which means leave the area) and make whoever is causing issues leave the area as needed (like pup pestering your older dog). Pay attention to the section on How to Use Out to Deal With Pushy Behavior, and you be the one to calmly make pup move away from your older dog when they aren't responding to them wanting to be left alone or your Out command. Out command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ I also recommend teaching puppy a Leave It command. Leave It: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Decide what your house rules are for both dogs and you be the one to enforce the rules instead of the dogs. No aggression, no pushiness, no stealing toys, no stealing food, no being possessive of people or things, no bothering another dog when they want to be left alone, or any other unwanted behavior - if one dog is causing a problem you be the one to enforce the rules so that the dogs are NOT working it out themselves. For example, if pup comes over to your older dog when she is trying to sleep, tell pup Out. If puppy obeys, praise and reward her. If she disobeys, stand in front of your older dog, blocking the pup from getting to her, and walk toward pup calmly but firmly until pup leaves the area and stops trying to go back to your older dog. If your older dog growls at your pup, make your older dog leave the room while also disciplining pup by making them leave for antagonizing if they did. Be vigilant and take the pressure off of your older dog - you want her to learn to look to you when there is a problem, and for puppy to learn respect for your older dog because you have taught it to her and not because your older dog has had to resort to aggression or she has to hide all the time. I also recommend finding a way for pup to play with other puppies who are 6 months or younger. Puppies tend to learn social skills and control of their mouths best from playing with other puppies and the feedback they get from pup's during play. A free puppy playgroup, outside puppy class with off-leash play time, or hosting a couple friends with puppies in your own backyard if fenced are a few ways to accomplish that. Moderate the play and whenever one pup is tired or getting overwhelmed, call the pups apart, give them treats for doing a few tricks, then release the more timid/tired pup first to see if they still want to play. If they come over to the other puppies and initiate play, you can let the other puppies resume playing until one is worn out and needs to end it for the day - most puppies will play on and off for 45 minutes to an hour, then are exhausted. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello! Here is information on nipping/biting. Nipping: Puppies may nip for a number of reasons. Nipping can be a means of energy release, getting attention, interacting and exploring their environment or it could be a habit that helps with teething. Whatever the cause, nipping can still be painful for the receiver, and it’s an action that pet parents want to curb. Some ways to stop biting before it becomes a real problem include: Using teething toys. Distracting with and redirecting your dog’s biting to safe and durable chew toys is one way to keep them from focusing their mouthy energies to an approved location and teach them what biting habits are acceptable. Making sure your dog is getting the proper amount of exercise. Exercise is huge. Different dogs have different exercise needs based on their breed and size, so check with your veterinarian to make sure that yours is getting the exercise they need. Dogs—and especially puppies—use their playtime to get out extra energy. With too much pent-up energy, your pup may resort to play biting. Having them expel their energy in positive ways - including both physical and mental exercise - will help mitigate extra nips. Being consistent. Training your dog takes patience, practice and consistency. With the right training techniques and commitment, your dog will learn what is preferred behavior. While sometimes it may be easier to let a little nipping activity go, be sure to remain consistent in your cues and redirection. That way, boundaries are clear to your dog. Using positive reinforcement. To establish preferred behaviors, use positive reinforcement when your dog exhibits the correct behavior. For instance, praise and treat your puppy when they listen to your cue to stop unwanted biting as well as when they choose an appropriate teething toy on their own. Saying “Ouch!” The next time your puppy becomes too exuberant and nips you, say “OUCH!” in a very shocked tone and immediately stop playing with them. Your puppy should learn - just as they did with their littermates - that their form of play has become unwanted. When they stop, ensure that you follow up with positive reinforcement by offering praise, treat and/or resuming play. Letting every interaction with your puppy be a learning opportunity. While there are moments of dedicated training time, every interaction with your dog can be used as a potential teaching moment.

Hello, Check out the two articles IO have linked below. Start with getting pup used to the leash and leash pressure with the first article. Once pup is okay with the leash, the use the turns method from the second article for pulling, to teach Heel. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-your-puppy-to-accept-leash Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden