How to Train a Husky to Stop Biting
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Introduction
Huskies love to nibble. In fact, while your Husky is still a pup, biting and chewing are probably amongst his favorite pastimes. At times it can seem as though he doesn't do anything but chase you around trying to nip at you. Puppies who are teething will bite on just about anything they can get their mouths around to help ease the pain, much like babies. If you don't take the time to discourage this habit at the earliest stages, you may find it harder to stop your pooch from biting other people.
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Defining Tasks
Part of figuring out how to stop your Husky from biting lies in finding out why he is doing so. Puppies will bite anything and anyone in their quest for relief from teething. Not only is this how they cut their new teeth, but in the wild, it helps them to learn about their environment and how to protect themselves. Your pup might no longer need to hunt for his food, but biting still comes naturally to him. It may take some time for you to train him to go against his natural instincts.
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Getting Started
Of all the supplies you need to train Shaggy not to bite, making sure you have enough time to work with him until he learns not to bite is the most important. There are a few things you might find come in handy during the training sessions. These include:
- Toys –A ball, a chew-toy, tug rope, something to give the pup to chew on.
- Treats –To use as rewards.
- A quiet spot – Somewhere for you to go for a few minutes when your Husky gets a bit too rough.
Remember, when it comes to any form of training, be patient and work with Shaggy until he is ready to master this very important behavior.
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The Ouch, That Hurt Method
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Pick your time
Pick several times each day when you can put aside a few minutes to work with your dog.
Play and have fun
This is the perfect time to play with your pup and establish your role as Alpha. The idea is to get him nice and excited.
Nipping and beyond
Sooner or later your little fuzzball is going to start nipping at you. This might seem like fun at first, but if you don't discourage this behavior, the nipping can become painful.
Add your cue
Each time Shaggy nips at you, exclaim "Ouch!" or use your own cue word. Choose one and stick with it. This will help eliminate the risk of confusion and make the training go better.
Replacement
This time when your dog goes to nip at you, redirect his attention to a chew toy or rope. The plan is to get your pup used to knowing what he can chew on and what he cannot.
And ever on
The rest is all about working with your pup giving him a chew toy to gnaw on instead of your hand, toes, legs or those of the other members of your family.
The Say No Method
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Understanding
Start out by trying to understand why your Husky keeps biting. In younger dogs, biting is their way of teething. It can also be due their being overexcited during play or, in rare cases, in anger. Keep in mind that Huskies are pack animals and love spending time with the other members of their pack/family.
Start with no!
There are two ways you can let your dog know that you don't like him biting you. You can use a cue word like "No" or you can make a yelping sound. This is the sound other members of his pack would make if he was biting too hard.
I am ignoring you
The next step in the process is to turn away from your pooch and completely ignore him. Keep doing this until your pup finally gets the clue and calms down. Once he settles down, you can give him a treat and keep working on the training.
If the pup won't calm down
But what if your pup refuses to settle down? Put up a baby gate and go into another room where your pooch can't see you. Only return to the room when he has finally calmed down.
Keep working it
The rest is all about repeating the training over and over again until Shaggy finally understands that biting is not an acceptable behavior.
The Good Boy Method
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Palming the treats
Place one of your dog's favorite treats in your hand palm up. Call him over and let him get a good whiff of the treat before you close it in a fist.
Chew all you want
Your dog is going to try anything he can to get at the treat, right up to trying to chew through your fingers. No matter how hard he tries to get the treat, do not let him have it.
I don't want it anymore
In time Shaggy is going to give up and turn away. When he does, go ahead and give him the treat.
Such a good boy
At the same time, you are giving him his treat be sure to praise him for getting it right. Use a simple "Good Boy!", don't overdo it as this might overwhelm your pooch.
Down to the last lesson
Keep working with Shaggy, repeating this training over and over again. It will take some time and patience to teach him to stop biting. However, the results are well-worth the effort.
By PB Getz
Published: 04/06/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Aarhus
Siberian Husky
4 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
we have 2 cats and one dog and the dog bites the cats and I'm scared the dog will hurt the cats what do we do. he's in his tooting phase and the cats are completely terrified of him to the point that whenever they see the dog they hiss uncontrollably. so we hav e the cats in one room mostly all day whenever they walk the dog we take the cats out. What do we do?
July 8, 2020
Aarhus's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Cristina, First, I suggest working on commands that build pup's self-control. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Heel- Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Second, check out the videos linked below. Mild cat issue - teaching impulse control: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWF2Ohik8iM Moderate cat issue - teaching impulse control using corrections and rewards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dPIC3Jtn0E Work on impulse control in general with pup, by teaching things that increase impulse control and calmness - such as a long, Place command around lots of distractions. Practicing the command until you get to the point where pup will stay on Place while you are working with the kitten in the same room. You can also back tie pup while they are on place - connecting a long leash attached to pup to something near the Place just in case pup were to try to get off Place before you could intervene. This keeps kitty safe while practicing and reinforces to pup that they can't get off the Place. The leash should be long enough that pup doesn't feel the leash while they are obediently staying on the Place because it has some slack in the leash. Third, keep a drag leash on pup or tether pup to yourself during times when pup isn't on Place and the cats are free (and you are supervising in case it gets caught on anything), so that you can enforce the commands and other training you are proactively practicing with pup - and pup doesn't get away with chasing the cats part of the time - which would make forward progress with training like the video exercises less effective. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
July 22, 2020