How to Train a Newfoundland Puppy to Not Bite

Hello Cheyenne, I would hire a professional trainer who specializes in behavior issues like aggression and has experience with puppies, to evaluate pup with you in person. I am curious if pup is biting because they are treating you like another dog and trying to play rough, and this is in response to pup getting too aroused while excited about the activity then directing that arousal toward you, or if this is true aggression and a lack of impulse control for pup, which is not as typical and needs to be addressed with a professional in my opinion, and the sooner this is addressed before pup grows the better. If this is an over-excitement and play issue, then working on commands that increase self-control and calmness and setting boundaries is what I would recommend. One activity that can be practiced with a pup who is playful and not truly aggressive, is called "Jazz up and Settle Down". Which is a bit like red light, green light for dogs. During training, get pup a little excited, then command "Stop" or something puppy knows like "Sit", and freeze. Wait and completely ignore them until they calm back down. As soon as they get calm or sit, praise and give a treat. Tell pup "Let's Play!" again, and start playing and getting them a bit excited again. As soon as they start to get a little worked up (not too much at first), command "Stop" or "Sit" again, then wait, reward with a treat when they calm down, then continue the game after they are rewarded. Repeat this a few times each training session, then end the session (have lots of frequent shorter sessions throughout the day at this age). As pup improves, and can really calm down quickly, let them get a bit more excited before calling Stop. Gradually work up to pup becoming more and more excited and having to calm down quickly from a higher level of excitement as they improve. Also, understand that this will take some time and practice. Puppies have to learn self-control just like any other skill, while young. This game can help them develop it sooner though. I would practice this with a thick jacket, close toed shoes, and thick cargo type pants, or desensitize pup to wearing a basket muzzle if pup is drawing blood with play bites, and use the basket muzzle. 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/ Off- section on The Off command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Drop It – Exchange method: https://wagwalking.com/training/drop-it You can also gently build respect. Check out this article. I would hire a trainer and/or use a basket muzzle before implementing if pup is aggressive though. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

May 23, 2022

Hello Nicole, Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you At this age, the issue can be leftover mouthing and rude behavior - more a lack of social skills, but it could also be something more severe. If pup is truly aggressive I recommend hiring a professional trainer who has experience with aggression (ask, not all trainers do), to work with you in person rather than training on your own, and desensitizing pup to wearing a basket muzzle first. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

March 14, 2022