How to Train a Husky Puppy to Stop Biting

Hello Amar, If Ace is stopping biting you when you redirect his attention, and is biting his own toys instead, that is great at this age. A young puppy will not stop mouthing completely. It is natural for puppies to mouth. That is how they learn, communicate, relieve soreness from teething, let out anxiety, and relieve boredom. The goal is to teach a puppy WHAT to mouth, not to stop the mouthing. Check out the article that I have linked below and teach the "Leave It" method. Once he understands that command, if he does not stop biting you when you tell him to "Leave It", use the "Pressure" method to enforce the command. That should help him learn to stop biting you. Expect it to take time though. He is young. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite For the chewing of objects, stuff several large classic Kong toys with food and a bit of peanut butter. Feed him his meals in the Kongs, especially while he is crated. I highly recommend crate training him and giving him a food stuffed Kong while he is in the crate any time that you cannot supervise him. The crate is also a good place for him to go when he is too excited. Young puppies need to sleep a lot, and he might actually be overtired when he is getting a bit crazy. Give him a food stuffed Kong in the crate to make the crate pleasant and help him calm down. For objects that he tends to chew again and again, like furniture, purchase "Bitter Apple" or "Bitter Mellon" spray and spray that on the object to deter him. Occasionally a pup likes the bitter taste. It is rare, but if it happens, then try using white vinegar, but be careful that whatever you are spraying it on won't be ruined with the vinegar. Right now and for the next three months he will be teething. If you are diligent about teaching him what is acceptable and unacceptable to chew, then he should grow out of it the heavy chewing phase with time. The biggest goal is to prevent it from becoming a long term habit. /you can do that by teaching him to chew his own toys, supervising him, or confining him whenever you cannot supervise him. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Karmela Joy, He needs to be taught a "Drop It" command. 1. Grab a couple of his toys - choose long ones. 2. Get him excited about the toy and encourage him to put it in his mouth. 3. While he is holding the toy, gently grab the other end of it, so that he can't run off with it --Don't pull it out of his mouth though, just hold onto the other end of it. 4. Command him to "Drop It" and hold a treat against his nose. 5. When he drops the toy to eat the treat, praise him. 6. After he finishes the treats, tell him to "Take It" and encourage him to bite the toy again. 7. Repeat the training with various toys and objects until he will immediately drop the toy when you say "Drop It". 8. When he can do the command consistently, command "Drop It" and touch his nose with a finger from an empty hand while the treat is in your other hand behind your back. When he drops the toy, thinking you have a treat, then praise him and give him the treat from your other hand that was behind your back. 9. Practice the command while the treat is hidden behind your back until he will consistently drop objects when he cannot see a treat. 10. When your pup gets good at this command, then when he drops an object that he should no have, praise him and give him one of his own toys to bite instead. Occasionally surprise him with a treat, but have toys be the typical exchange. To deal with the biting in the first place, teach the "Leave It" command and practice it with clothing articles when he learns how to leave treats alone. Check out the article that I have linked below and follow the "Leave It" method. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Erika, Check out the article that I have linked below. There are several different ways to address chewing, depending on the details on what he is chewing and why. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-not-to-chew/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Kerry, Check out this article instead and try the "Leave It" method. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Expect this to take time though. It is normal and natural for puppies to bite at this age. They go through a teething phase while young, it biting is how they naturally communicate with and play with other puppies, so they have to learn through practice with people not to interact that way with people. I also suggest enrolling in a puppy kindergarten class that has time for puppies to play together off-leash, while the trainer helps owners moderate the class and calm puppies back down if they start to get too rough or overwhelmed. This play can help them learn how to control their mouths better, in addition to improving socialization, obedience, familiarity with people, and tolerance to being touched - if you join a class that takes time to handle puppies while giving them treats. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Danielle, First, teach the Leave It command from the article linked below. Use Leave It to communicate to him that he needs to stop. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Second, teach Out - which means leave the area, and use that command when he is simply too excited. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Third, work on commands that increase calmness, respect and focus so that he is more respectful and has more boundaries in general - which can help him listen to your Leave It and Out commands when he needs to calm down. 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 Junino, Check out the article linked below and use the Leave It method. It will take a bit for him to learn the Leave It command so you can also use the Bite Inhibition method to help the puppy biting while he learns Leave It. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite For the chewing on objects, check out the article linked below: https://wagwalking.com/training/not-chew-on-furniture Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Kartik, Check out the article linked below. First, use the Bite Inhibition method to teach gentleness. Second, while you are using the Bite Inhibition method also be teaching the Leave It command, so that you can use the Leave It command to stop all of the biting once he gets good at that command. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite As far as toys you can certainly give balls - just make sure that they are not too small to get stuck in her mouth or choke on as she grows. Tug Toys are fine for pups that aren't overly dominant, but work on teaching a "Drop It" command so that she will let go when you tell her to, and make sure that she is not eating pieces of it - rubber tug toys like Kong handled toys are typically safer than rope toys that can be swallowed. Only give her toys that could potentially be eaten or broken while you are playing with her. When you leave her alone, give her durable chew toys, such as Kongs, and put the less durable toys away. Also, as she gets older her jaws will get stronger between 4-8 months of age and she will be able to destroy toys better. Keep an eye out for her destroying and trying to eat any less durable toys. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden