Often, owners of German Shepherd puppies are faced with the fact that pets bite. If they are not weaned from a young age, there may be adverse consequences in the future. More details on how to get the German Shepherd puppy (GSD puppy) to stop biting you can find in this article
Reasons why German Shepherd puppies bite
Before you understand how to get the German Shepherd puppy to stop biting, you need to determine the reasons for this behavior. More on why my German Shepherd puppy keeps biting me, you can be read later.
Having a strong prey drive
The German Shepherd breed has a strong prey drive. That is why they actively respond to movement. If you observe the behavior of a German Shepherd on the street, you notice that he or she actively reacts to all insects and animals.
It manifests itself in the form of twitchy ears. After all, an animal needs to catch even minor sounds. German Shepherds can attack the source of movement in a split second. Similar reactions can be not only to insects, but also to toys, or parts of the human body.
If you constantly and abruptly remove your hands when the German Shepherd puppies bite, this increases their desire to bite a person. There is a high chance of skin injury.
How to get a German Shepherd puppy to stop biting
German Shepherd – herding breed
The German Shepherd is a herding breed, due to which puppies constantly chase and pick up objects that move. Previously, representatives of the shepherd breed were used to patrol the border, as well as contain the herd.
Animals were used as a watchdog for the sheep flock so that the sheep would not scatter. Sheep were in control of the sheep, grabbing them by the neck or knuckles on the legs. And today, when selecting puppies, the degree and characteristics of their capture are taken into account.
There are several capture options, namely:
- dangerous;
- less dangerous;
- with a full mouth;
- retention.
Wish research
As you know, little puppies are always trying to explore the world using their mouths. That is why do not be surprised when the German Shepherd slightly pinches your hand. This is often faced by those owners whose dogs begin to erupt teeth.
It is important to note that the behavior of German Shepherds can be somewhat pronounced. Therefore, you should be prepared for periodic and active German Shepherd puppy biting.
Overexcitation
It is not uncommon for the German Shepherd puppy to be referred to as “land sharks”. Often, when bitten, the German Shepherd begins to lose control of the force and can damage the skin of its owner.
In the case of moody or drowsy behavior, German Shepherds are characterized by increased insight.
To avoid unpleasant situations, you need to know how to suppress a bite properly. More on this, be described later.
Growing up in an unfavorable environment
Often German Shepherds bite if they grew up in an unfavorable environment where they were not weaned from it.
Those who adopted a puppy from a litter, or a single animal, may face problems. German shepherd puppy biting can be the cause of a bad temper or a weakened nervous system.
Breeding for appearance, not a character
Over the past few years, the number of situations related to the misbehavior of pets has increased.
This is likely due to an increase in the frequency of taking pets to shelters. Especially if the breeding of the puppy was of poor quality.
Breeders today pay more attention to the external parameters of the dog and not its temperament.
Teething
As you know, all puppies go through a stage of teething. At such moments, they have an irresistible desire to bite. Milk teeth, which are well-sharpened, begin to appear in German Shepherds when they are 2 weeks old. They fully erupt only by 6-7 weeks.
If you bring home a two-month-old German Shepherd, it already has 28 teeth. At the age of 3-4 months, milk teeth fall out, so they can often be seen on the floor. Even if the animal swallows them, one should not panic because this does not bring any harm.
Chewing is required to relieve pain from irritated gums. Dogs begin to bite and gnaw at everything to ease the pain a little. Therefore, your arms and legs, as well as upholstered furniture, can be used.
Many are interested in the question, at what age do German Shepherd puppies stop biting? Teeth in the German Shepherd puppy are completed when the animal is 6-8 months old. By this time, a full 42 adult teeth are formed.
Best time to start parenting
You need to engage in educational training at the moment when you just bring the German Shepherd home. However, it is important to give him or her a few days to adjust to the new location. This avoids a stressful situation, as well as accustoms the animal to a new routine.
While the adaptation period is taking place, gaming processes should be excluded. After all, the German Shepherd, during the game, can bite.
If at the time of the game, the dog grabbed your arm or leg, you should not immediately scream. It is enough to slightly open the mouth. Try not to resort to physical violence, so as not to provoke additional stress.
It is important to show the German Shepherd that this behavior is unacceptable and painful for you. You can scream a little or pretend to cry. Then give up the game, and move away from the puppy.
If a German Shepherd is properly brought up, it experiences a feeling of sincere love and regret towards a person.
If you make it clear that the German Shepherd puppy biting has hurt you, it learns from its own mistakes. In the future, cases of bites are excluded. Be prepared that the first time there is no result. Regular training is required
Some adult German Shepherd does not perceive a person as a leader. This is a very common gap in raising a pet.
To correct this attitude, it is necessary to engage in professional training. Only in this way, the dog understands that it is the person who occupies the headship in the family.
Dominance issues need to be addressed as soon as problems are identified. If you can’t fix the situation on your own, you have to contact a cynologist with experience. Experts believe that it is necessary to train and educate a German Shepherd from a young age.
Only in this way, it is possible to exclude attacks of aggression that are not motivated by anything. With proper upbringing, the German Shepherd puppy biting is excluded. It is important to understand that achieving a quick effect is impossible.
All German Shepherd breeds are distinguished by their individuality. They have a certain temperament and intelligence.
If one animal can be taught everything in a few pieces of training, then another has to train for several months. It is not excluded that the results achieved will still have to be consolidated in the future.
How to get a German Shepherd puppy to stop biting?
Many people are interested in how I stop my German Shepherd puppy from biting and jumping. There are several ways to do this, which we describe below.
Make a puppy squeal
This method is relevant if you need to slow down the bite. If you watch small German Shepherds, during the game they make small squeals. Especially if they are bitten by one of the adults. A puppy biting a brother or sister starts to retreat at this sound.
If necessary, you can follow the same example. If the German Shepherd starts to bite you, you should make a sharp, piercing squeal. You can combine it with commands, including “Stop” or “No”.
Very often this method is used by certified dog trainers, and also when studying – how to become a dog trainer. He or she lets the German Shepherd puppy know that the owner is hurt and should stop. Some German Shepherds may take this behavior as a scolding.
At such moments, the animal begins to seek consolation. However, you cannot be led to provocations.
It is recommended to ignore the dog so that the aggressive German Shepherd
understands that such behavior is unacceptable.
Spanking ban
It should be noted that German Shepherd pups do not understand physical punishment. This is why slaps and punches do not work. On the contrary, you run the risk of scaring the animal, which provokes even more active dog bites.
Lack of mutual reaction to bites
To prevent the German Shepherd puppy from biting you, try not to respond with mutual actions. Even a slight push is fraught with the fact that the dog bites even harder.
The puppy may perceive pushing as a fun game. As soon as playfulness increases, the German Shepherd puppy bites again.
The use of chew toys
While the dog is still small, you can play with it with your hands. However, in the future, as the animal grows, this can provoke adverse consequences. After all, the puppy perceives hands as toys.
That is why it is advisable to have chew toys in the house that are used during games.
However, it takes a lot of effort for the German Shepherd to concentrate its attention on the chew toy. Once you do this, your dog learns that hands are not the best bite toy.
Offering hands to the mouth
This technique allows the German Shepherd to understand that human hands can be near the mouth; however, they should not be bitten.
If the German Shepherd puppy eats a forbidden thing, you should pull it out of its mouth. It is important to regularly inspect the oral cavity of the animal.
If you do not accustom the dog to the fact that the hands of a person can be near its mouth, the likelihood of constant bites is high.
For training, you should prepare a sufficient number of treats. First, you need to show the snack to the dog, and then use your fingers to put it in the dog’s mouth. Then try to pull it out.
Repeat the steps until the dog stops biting. After the animal gets used to it and is not constantly grabbing your hands.
Prohibition for biting food
As you know, the German Shepherd puppy is quite careful about food. After all, when they were in the litter, they constantly had to fight for food. This can leave an imprint on the behavior of the dog in the future.
If a puppy has food aggression, it is important to show that the person is the main thing. You must constantly touch the bowl, and carry it from place to place.
You can put it in front of the animal and then remove it. If your dog doesn’t try to bite you, pet it and give it a treat.
If the animal begins to growl or bite, say “No”. However, don’t give up the bowl. Engage in such training until the animal understands how to behave correctly. Don’t forget to feed your dog.
Placing the thumb under the tongue and the other under the chin
If the GSD puppy constantly bites, you can use this technique. At first glance, this behavior is cruel, however, it is quite effective. Often, experienced dog handlers use this tactic as a backup.
During the bite, you can make a loud sound, then quickly put your thumb under the dog’s tongue. Then put your finger under the chin. Wait a few seconds and remove your fingers. This is a rather unpleasant gesture for a dog. Therefore, next time, he or she thinks before biting.
Using gloves that have an unpleasant taste
Often, trainers advise stocking up on special gloves that are impregnated with a substance that is unpleasant for dogs. There are already ready-made options on the market. You can also make them yourself.
First, you need to buy large and soft gloves, which are used by experienced cynologists. Then order a special spray with a bitter and unpleasant taste, and treat your gloves with it. Always wear them when you play with your puppy.
As soon as the dog tries to bite you, the puppy tastes bitter and unpleasant. After a few such sensations, the animal understands that it is impossible to bite. Your hands are associated with unpleasant sensations.
Show the animal that you are in charge
Adult German Shepherds may bite if they are trying to dominate a person. However, this behavior is not allowed.
It is important to show the animal that the person is the main thing in the house. Often, bites can be the cause of excessive jealousy.
Some German Shepherds bite if given a bad order. For example, getting out of a chair or bed. It is important to make sure that the dog understands that you are the leader of the pack.
As you know, pack members who are below the alpha cannot bite the leader. Once the German Shepherd realizes that you are dominating, it does not bite.
It is important to remember that the only way to achieve the desired result is through perseverance. To enhance the effect, you can treat your pet whenever the dog follows your orders.
Communication with other dogs
The German Shepherd puppy mustn’t be a loner. The dog constantly needs to be in contact with other puppies and adults. It is better to provide such socialization from a little age of the dog. This allows you to further adjust the behavior of pets.
If your friends have an adult German Shepherd, you can give them your puppy for a day. After the dog spends a day with an adult, the puppy is less aggressive and has normal canine behavior.
The number of bites may decrease. This is because dogs tire each other. Therefore, by the evening, there is practically no energy left.
Loud noises and frightening situations
Socialization is not the only effective method. It is important to introduce your puppy to other situations that can provoke aggression and fear. This applies to traveling in transport, contact with children, and walking in noisy crowded places.
German Shepherds cope with such stressful situations perfectly. That is why they are often taken to serve in the police. The sooner the animal gets used to such situations, the sooner the dog stops biting because of the feeling of fear.
Looking after your puppy if the pet comes into contact with small children
If the German Shepherd does not understand that biting children is not allowed, this can become a serious problem in the future.
The vast majority of bites are not serious. However, it is better to teach the animal from a young age that it is impossible to do this.
Children, especially small ones, are quite unstable. Therefore, it is not difficult for a dog to knock them down, or bite them. If there are small children and a German Shepherd in the house, you need to keep an eye on everyone. As soon as you notice unacceptable behavior in the animal, follow the tips described earlier.
Help in solving the problem
If you have tried all the training methods described earlier, but it was not possible to improve the behavior of the animal, it is advisable to contact an experienced specialist.
Take your puppy to the vet first. The pet can determine if it is due to teething or other health problems.
If the cause lies in a state of health, you need to solve the problem. If everything is in perfect order with the health of the animal, show the puppy to an animal behavior specialist.
The specialist can give recommendations on how to wean a dog from biting. It also helps the animal suppress the fear of aggression.
Americans can visit the CAAB website for certified applied animal health professionals. Therefore, you can quickly get the help you need.
It is important to understand that for the first 8 weeks of a dog’s life, biting is a normal occurrence associated with teething. Therefore, you need to contact a specialist after this age has passed.
Why is a dog bite dangerous?
If adults begin to bite, this can be a very dangerous phenomenon. The development of various infections is not excluded. When bitten by the teeth of an animal, bacteria that provoke diseases can penetrate the body.
Large teeth compress tissues, and small ones damage the skin. This causes the formation of an open laceration. If an infection gets inside, it can cause adverse effects. It is not uncommon that after a dog bite, a person needs hospitalization or the introduction of antibiotics.
At the first serious bite, you need to see a doctor. This prevents serious illnesses.
Behavior when bitten by a German Shepherd
If you have been bitten by a German Shepherd and a bleeding wound has formed, it is recommended to follow clear instructions:
- Apply pressure to the bite. If the blood is profusely secreted, this is a good sign. Because bacteria come out with it.
- Using a soft cloth and clean water, rinse the bite site. If you have an antiseptic or alcohol on hand, treat the wound additionally.
- Apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. It is better to use bandages that are sold in individual packages. This slowdown the bleeding.
- If necessary and possible, apply a cream containing an antibiotic to the edges of the wound. After that, the dressing should be done with a sterile bandage.
If the situation is very serious, and the bleeding does not stop, you cannot hesitate. It is urgent to see a doctor because suturing may be required.
Forbidden tricks in raising a dog
Many are interested in, How do you discipline a German Shepherd for biting? It is important to understand that punishment does not bring anything good.
On the contrary, the animal is afraid of you and avoids you. Often the animal is offended by a person and feels guilty or stressed. There can be anxiety and loss of trust.
There are several forbidden tricks in raising a dog so that it does not bite.
Prohibition of physical punishment and screaming
If you constantly shout at the dog or beat it, this can cause an aggressive attitude towards the person on its part. Often, such behavior becomes the reason that the psychological state of animals begins to suffer.
Physical abuse can cause health problems for the animal. It is better to focus on positive reinforcement methods. Scientists have been researching the behavior of German Shepherds and have been able to determine that confrontation and disgust don’t work for dogs.
The animal continues to be aggressive. To correct the situation, you need to change the methods of training. So try to avoid kicking, screaming, and other similar behaviors. After all, this provokes fear and aggression in the dog.
Even mild punishments cannot be applied, including a scream or a sharp pull on the leash. It also provokes stressful situations. Experts advise rewarding your dog for good behavior and ignoring bad behavior.
Retaliation ban
Some German Shepherd owners use reciprocal spins and tricks. They cover the dog’s mouth, pinch the neck, and grab the jaws. Remember that such methods provoke an aggravation of the situation.
Some experts advise sticking to the alpha rolling technique. However, it is important to note that it is already outdated, and does not give any effect.
The essence of the method is that you need to lay the dog on its back, and put it in a position of submission. This lets the animal know that it is being dominated by a human.
A similar method is not used as a punishment for a German Shepherd puppy. After all, you risk harming the animal. According to statistics, this method begins to increase aggression in 31% of cases. Therefore, try not to take risks because an adult and aggressive animal can be very dangerous.
Dog piss ban
It is not uncommon for pet owners to stop biting by rubbing their noses on feces or urine.
This method has been used for a very long time, and there is no clear evidence that it brings a positive result. This method can be effective if you need to housetrain your puppy.
It should be noted that this method of teaching is rather rough, and belongs to the category of aversive.
The dog begins to be afraid of a person, which can cause increased aggression in the dog.
If for 10-20 years this method was considered correct, then today there are many humane alternatives.
Prohibition on the use of the box
Quite often, dog owners begin to close them in special boxes as a punishment. Such actions can cause the animal to be afraid of its house. After that, the dog refuses to enter it on its own.
It is important to understand that the cage should give the dog a pleasant feeling of lair and solitude. If you use it as a punishment, the animal does not perceive it as a safe place to sleep or play.
The dog may naturally become overexcited or overtired. In such situations, the cage should be abandoned as punishment. On the contrary, praise the animal, and treat your pet. Then let the dog go to the cage to rest.
The Prohibition of rewarding bad behavior
Some owners of German Shepherd puppies are a little touched when their pet starts biting a guest little by little. Often, the guests themselves perceive this behavior calmly and consider it even a little funny.
However, remember that bad behavior should not be encouraged. After all, in the future, the animal may become confused. The dog does not independently understand what actions are right and what are not.
If you feel sorry for your puppy for the punishment, you should not use treats as an apology afterward.
This also causes a lot of questions in the puppy, and in adulthood, the dog cannot independently make decisions about his or her right or wrong behavior.
Exercises to correct dog behavior
There are many ways to wean a dog (puppy) from showing teeth. It can be either rewarding the animal or punishing it. But it is worth remembering that the methods of punishment can provoke the four-legged to aggression.
So, here are some ways you can stop your dog from biting.
Switch attention
If during the game, the puppy starts to bite, then you need to switch his or her attention to some favorite toy.
Imitate behavior in a flock
If your puppy bites you while playing, squeal loudly and then step aside. It also happens in the pack. If one young puppy bites another painfully, the other starts whining and stops playing. So the dog compares the fact that the cessation of the game is because he or she hurt someone and stop biting.
Ignore
When the puppy starts biting the mother dog, he or she turns around and leaves, ignoring the child. To stop your pet from biting, you must do the same.
If the dog started playing and bit you, take it by the withers, press to the floor, say “Stop!” and go to another room.
Puppy, of course, follows you, trying to draw you back into the game. But don’t follow him. Ignore it for 15-20 minutes.
The following techniques are related to the imitation of the behavior of the leader and the pack.
- Hold the dog by the muzzle. This exercise imitates the behavior of the leader in the pack when a German Shepherd bites the muzzle of a dog of lower status. Grab the face of the animal with your palm. Do this so as not to pinch your nose and block your pet’s breathing. Hold the muzzle of the caudate in this position until it calms down or stops growling.
- Press the four-legged to the floor by the neck. This is what the leader of the pack does, demonstrating strength and superiority over the relatives. Gently take the dog by the neck with your hand and slowly begin to press it to the floor. When performing this exercise, do not press hard on the neck of the tailed one, so as not to suffocate the dog. Accompany the exercise with the command “Stop!”. Do this carefully so that the dog does not bite you. When your pet is completely on the floor, hold it in this position until it stops growling or biting, and then remove your hand from the neck. The dog should remain in this position until you allow him to get up.
- Raise the quadruped by the withers. This is done when the animal shows aggression or is overly excited. As a rule, in nature, if a puppy begins to misbehave and offend the brothers and sisters, the mother-dog takes the puppy by the withers with the teeth and takes it away, thereby punishing and removing it from games. Accompany this exercise with the command “Stop!”.When the dog calms down, give it an obedience command (“Sit!”, “Lie down!”). Well, after he or she completes the command, praises the puppy, and gives a treat. The yummy in this case is a reward for the execution of the command.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many reasons why puppies bite. It can be with the desire to play, or with teething. Regardless of the cause, it is important to find positive reinforcement techniques to wean the animal from this and develop completely normal behavior. And the tips described in this article help you with this.
