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If you are like most Newfie owners, it is easy to pick you out in a crowd. How is this possible? Is it because you like to share stories about your gentle giant or can't seem to stop showing the latest photos? Maybe, but in many cases, it's simply because of the number of bites and scratches on your hands and arms. There is nothing quite like having a new puppy at home, but if you want to survive the process intact, you will need to invest a significant amount of time training your pup not to bite.
So, here's the reality: puppies bite. It's what they do, in fact, your Newfie pup will bite just about anything he can get his mouth around, and often quite painfully. This is a very normal behavior and one you should expect if you plan to bring a puppy into your home. The most important thing to keep in mind is that in training your pup not to bite you should be focusing on teaching this type of behavior is not acceptable rather than simply trying to prevent it. This is exactly how he would learn to control his biting in the wild by his den mother.
The good news is that unlike many other forms of training, teaching your Newf to stop biting doesn't require a seemingly endless list of supplies. You will need a pack of your favorite treats, a quiet place to work, and plenty of both time and patience to make it happen. Remember that working in short training sessions is going to be far more effective than trying to work in longer sessions. You need to keep in mind that puppies have a very short attention span, you need to work within these parameters for the best results.
The Placement Method
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It starts with play
In a quiet room in your house, initiate play with your Newfie and let him enjoy himself all the way up to the point at which he nips at you.
When he nips
The moment he nips you, stop play and slide your hand under his body.
Pick up
From this position, you should be able to pick your pup up without getting nipped. Be sure you are holding him in such a manner as to ensure he can’t reach around and bite you.
Until he relaxes
Keep holding the pup this way until he calms down. He is going to fuss and squirm a bit, but given time he will eventually stop.
When he settles
Once he settles, put him back down and repeat the process. The rest is all about repeat, repeat, repeat. The big thing is the time it takes him to settle should start getting shorter and shorter until he no longer feels the need to bite.
The Here, Not Here Method
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Overexcited biting
One of the biggest reasons puppies bite is they have become overexcited during play. But, at the same time, they also have many other reasons for biting, so be sure you know why he is biting before you start to work on training him not too.
When he chomps down
When your pup bites you during play, your first reaction should be to yelp like another puppy to let him know it hurts.
Not here
The next step is to turn away from your Newfie and completely ignore him. Give him time to settle back down and then re-initiate play.
If he can't settle down
If your pup has become too excited, go ahead and leave the room, putting up a gate in the doorway to keep him locked inside. Give him a few minutes to settle back down.
And in we go
At this point, you should be able to go back in and try again. Keep working with Newt as it will be much easier to train him as a pup than it will be if you wait until he is an adult.
The Rattle Can Method
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Start by making a rattle
Start out by using an empty soda can and a few coins or marbles to create a rattle.
Playtime
Engage in playtime with your pup, one that he loves and that gets him really excited. When he nips you, shake the rattle, making lots of noise. At the same time tell him, "No" or "No bite!" in a firm voice.
Take a hike
After this, turn and without another word or action, walk away from the pup.
What if he follows?
If Newt tries to follow you and nip at your heels, shake the rattle, say "NO!" and keep walking.
Peace in the valley
Be sure you give Newt time to calm down. When he does, be sure to give him a treat and plenty of praise, then resume training again until he finally gets the message and stops trying to bite you. At the same time, you should give him a few chew toys to choose from, this will also help.
Written by PB Getz
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/29/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Poppy training need help plz
June 19, 2020
Ringo's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Julie, Check out the Crate Training method from the article linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
June 19, 2020
Every night between 7:30-8pm he acts like he wants to play then starts biting or gets ahold of the hand and tries to be an alligator in the death roll - if we tell him no and offer him a toy he doesn’t care he only wants to bite and if I walk away he tries to bite the back of my knees. My 6year old lays on the couch and Flynn bit him on the back of the neck. We have to get this under control. Please help
June 17, 2020
Flynn's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Faith, The biting is likely happening at that time of the day because pup either needs some mental stimulation - like training or a structured game, or is over-tired (which one depending on how pup's day has been and whether they were cooped up all day, not exercised, not trained, or simply tired from a full day). 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 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 generally normal. Teaching an Out command - which means leave the area, is another good way to manage the biting, especially when they biting is toward the kids. You can enforce the biting on the kids behalf. Follow the instructions from the section on using Out to Deal with Pushy behavior, once pup has learned what Out means from the How to Teach Out section of the article. Out - https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
June 17, 2020