Golden Retriever Puppy Training - Biting

Biting and nipping can be a common problem young dogs have. This is something that I have only occasionally come across when dealing with golden retriever puppy training. Puppies can bite for a couple of reasons. Generally speaking they learn to inhibit this behavior when they are very young in the mother's den. But not always.

Typically, it's a problem that occurs if the puppy has been removed from mother's care too early. Now sometimes this can not be avoided. For example, if the puppy is an orphan, or perhaps the mother died during birth, or for some reason died in the early months of his life. Also, it can be the result of your irresponsible breeding and selling puppies too young out of the den.

Puppy should remain with her biological mother until there are at least eight weeks old. Taking them from their mother sooner than this can cause a host of problems. It's best if mother weans pup naturally when she's convinced they have learned the skills they require. Some of these skills may not seem obvious, but they're important.

Dogs learn not to nip and bite from their den peers during normal and natural play. They also learn not to eliminate and defecate in their den. This helps later on with your potty training a dog through the use of her crate. However, if these skills are not present, then regardless of the reasons we're left with the responsibility of teaching.

The first thing to understand is that socialization will help prevent biting. And I'm referring to socialization with other dogs. If this is a problem that you're having, what you can do while you're playing with your puppy if he happens to bite you is actually yelp like another puppy would. This will accomplish two things. First of all, your dog will immediately stop and most likely look at you. This is the ideal situation. This means he has stopped understood that he has done something wrong and will move on with something different.

However if this proves ineffective which most of the time it probably will then you need to have your dog socialize with other dogs that are well socialized. During their rough-and-tumble play they will naturally bike each other everywhere and anywhere. If the play gets too rambunctious or to out of control than the other dogs will teach them what is expected. This is something we cant really do. They can only learn through trial and error from dealing with other dogs.

A it's also important to note that when the dog is young you must not get your fingers in his mouth and play with his teeth because that behavior will continue as he grows older. He will just think that's normal. And we don't want that.

Dogs and other animals have a natural order that they all follow and respect. We may not understand it they do. And it's best they learn from one another. All too often, humans have a tendency to hit their dog or slap her dog when something makes them angry. This will not properly fix the behavior and will only grow distrust for you with your dog. Distrust, leads to a lack of respect. And while your dog will still love you, you will not respect you. And that will make it very hard train in this area and other areas.

Interestingly, this is actually another reason that the dog may bite you. The dog must have absolute trust and respect for you. You must never be violent with them. Fear, can actually increase the instances of biting. You gain trust him by being consistent, and in by exhibiting behavior that leaders should show. This is calm confidence. You must also understand that you don't see you as the unwavering leader. You must understand that you own everything, and that you set the rules. But you do this through consistency and patience and not through any violent manner.

So to summarize, socialization is the best way to stop and prevent biting. It's best if possible that your dog learn this at a young age. You dog must have absolute trust for you or the problem could get worse. Consistency and patience is key. If you're going to reprimand her dog you must do it immediately when you catch him or her. Never play with your dog's mouth or teeth and teach them that it's normal.

As always, do not be afraid to seek professional help if things are getting out of control. It's usually very inexpensive and well worth it.

John Banning is a Golden Retriever Expert. For more information on Golden Retriever Puppy Training visit SuperSmartGoldenRetriever.com

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