How to Train a Husky Puppy to Stop Biting

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How to Train a Husky Puppy to Stop Biting

Medium

2-12 Weeks

Behavior

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Introduction

The Husky is a powerful, intelligent breed that has a strong trait towards self-reliance. The Husky likes to think for himself, which can be problematic for an owner, especially if the dog's train of thought is towards roaming or escape. However, self-reliance has other implications for a dog that is prone to biting. He may decide he wants something and be happy to nip in order to get it.

It's therefore essential to teach a Husky pup how to limit his biting habit when he is still young. When by default he draws away from his teeth making contact with human skin, this means if an accident happened, such as a child treading on the dog's paw, his instant reaction is to stop himself from biting rather than act how he might otherwise.

Defining Tasks

Teaching a Husky not to bite is NOT about punishment. While it might be tempting to slap or hit the puppy, this is liable to backfire. At best, he may be inhibited about biting you, however, he doesn't generalize the lesson to other people. This means he's still likely to bite the child who steps on his paw. However, in a worst-case scenario, a strong-minded dog like a Husky may decide to match violence with violence and he may become aggressive as a consequence.

Instead, by understanding dog behavior and how his littermates would react to a bite, you can communicate with the dog in a way he understands in order to correct bad behavior and teach self-restraint.

Getting Started

Teaching a pup not to bite depends on excellent timing and how you react, rather than needing special tools. It's also important that all family members also know how to react, so the pup is sent a consistent message.

It's also helpful to have:

Tug toys or a ball to encourage play
Treats to reward good behavior
A room to withdraw to when the pup gets too rough

The Bite Inhibition Method

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Step

Why do puppies bite?

The first step to stopping biting is to understand the puppy's motivation. A very young pup is unlikely to be being aggressive, instead, he's just doing what puppies do. (Not that this makes it OK!) In a litter of healthy pups there will be rough and tumble, which includes biting. As part of the learning process, when a pup bites too hard, the other pup will screech and possibly end the game. This is valuable insight for the biting pup, as he learns that biting too hard ends the fun.

Step

Bite inhibition in a litter

Let's look at how pups learn to be gentle in a litter. We've already said how they screech and squeal when bitten too hard. This makes the biting pup back off. The game then resumes once the bitten pup has regained confidence in the other one. Since pups want to play, the nipping puppy will be keen to avoid another interruption to the game and be careful to have a softer mouth next time. This process is known as learning bite inhibition and is a valuable tool for stopping a pup from nipping people.

Step

Play act being a puppy

Communicate with your Husky pup in a way he understands, by acting the same way a littermate would. If he gets too rough and nips your hand, then immediately let your hand go limp and at the same time squeal and look hurt. Nurse your hand as if dreadfully injured and perhaps even force out a few fake tears. The pup should then and take stock.

Step

Nipping means no game

Stop the game until the pup has calmed down and looks repentant! Only once he is calm can the game start again.

Step

Walk away if necessary

If the pup doesn't get the message and keeps nipping, say a short sharp "No", get up and walk away. Key here is withdrawing attention so that the puppy realizes that being overly rough stops the fun. Next time he'll try to inhibit himself from biting.

The Do's and Don'ts Method

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Step

Don't: Smack or shout

Punishing the puppy for biting serves little purpose. He may stop biting you, but only because he is fearful of you. He won't generalize this lesson to other people, and could continue to pose a risk to them. Instead, pursue other methods that teach the dog self-control.

Step

Do: Act up

It's important the Husky pup learns early on that human skin is fragile and his teeth should never contact it. This means acting up when the pup even lightly nips, so that he receives a message that people are very fragile and must be treated with care.

Step

Don't: Use your hands as toys

Avoid games that involve the pup chasing your hands or a finger. This makes the hand into a toy, which in the pup's mind makes it fair game for nipping. Instead, use toys such as balls or tuggers, which don't involve direct contact with human skin.

Step

Do: Let your hand go limp

When the pup nips your hand, let the hand go limp (rather than pulling it sharply away.) Rapid movement will trigger chasing instincts in the pup, which make him excited. Whereas a limp hand sends a strong signal that it's 'broken' and can't be played with.

Step

Do: Seek professional help

If you in any way feel out of your depth with a pup that bites excessively, then do seek the help of a qualified animal behaviorist or dog trainer that uses reward-based methods. A young puppy is still learning. Act swiftly so that this golden opportunity to get him on the right path doesn't slip through your fingers.

The Withdraw Attention Method

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Step

Understand the idea

Pups don't bite out of malice, but because they are overexcited and get carried away. They also thrive on attention and love to play games. When you understand this it helps to prevent biting. Simply withdrawing attention or getting the pup to calm down gives you another two options when it comes to stopping a puppy biting.

Step

Let the pup know he's wrong

If you've squealed and the pup didn't back down, then it's time for a short but sharp "No" or "Uh-oh". This is to mark the bad behavior (biting) so the dog understands why the game stopped.

Step

Ignore the pup

Now end the game and ignore the pup. Try folding your arms and turning your back. Wait for the pup to calm down before resuming play.

Step

Leave the room

If the pup keeps jumping on you and trying to nip, then quietly get up and leave the room. Again, this ends the game, which is the last thing that the pup wants. Only return when he has calmed down.

Step

Restart the game

Return to the game but as soon as the pup shows signs of nipping, say "No" and get ready to fold your arms. The pup will most likely realize what's about to happen and calm himself down in order that the game continues.

Success Stories and Training Questions

Training Questions and Answers

Question

Ace

Siberian Husky

2 Months

0 found helpful

Question

0 found helpful

Ace

Siberian Husky

2 Months

I have tried the various way that have been told online to stop a puppy from nippng but these things dont seem to work in him instead when he nips I have used the withdraw attention he goes to bite a toy,the furniture or his puppy pad and just never seems to clam down and i have been trying different things although I still dont see a difference in his behaviour.So what else would you suggest ?

1 month ago

Ace's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden

Dog Trainer

114 Dog owners recommended

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

1 month ago

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