Many pups don't know the strength of their own jaws. They enthusiastically grab anything offered without concerning themselves if a person's hand is in the way. This shouldn't be considered "aggressive behavior", but rather a "sin of enthusiasm".
There are many ways to teach your pup to be gentler, here are a few:
Hide foodPups can be unintentionally rewarded for grabbing if they get a treat when they grab. So, to control this bad habit, you need to make sure your puppy does not earn a treat for grabbing.
Hold the treat in your fist and hold your hand out to your puppy. If he tries to grab it, wait. When he starts to lick or nuzzle you, then he can have his reward. Even a bold puppy can learn quickly that being gentle gets him what he wants.
Ouch!If your pup is sensitive to your voice, a sudden yelping "Ouch!" along with withdrawing the treat can do the trick. Praise calmly and warmly when he is gentle, yelp and calmly take the treat away when he is not.
Some less sensitive pups are excited by this method, leaping up with tails wagging. If your pup responds this way, try another method. Puppy training is not "one size fits all." Always use the method that gets you the results you want without creating other problems.
"Easy"One reason your puppy may grab at the food in your hand is that you may tend to suddenly pull your hand away when he moves toward the treat. This sudden move, often upward, may cause him to want to chase your hand as it moves away. While that reaction is understandable, it does not bring out the best in him.
Next time your pup moves to grab, move the food toward him. This should be a steady, smooth movement, not fast or harsh. If done properly, your pup will retreat as he follows the food. Since this is not what your puppy expects you to do, it can cause him to slow down and think. Done calmly, this is not an unpleasant process. It simply sets up a situation where your pup needs to move his head backward to get the food. That conditions him to think, "pull back" instead of "lunge toward".
Regardless of what method works best for you, work hard to praise your pup warmly and give him the treat when he is gentle. Puppies do what works and if being gentle earns him your affection and a bit of food, he'll be gentler in the future.
'Tis the season for sweets, but avoid giving these treats to your dog -- especially chocolate, which can be deadly. Chocolate smells tasty and edible to most dogs, but poses a major poisoning risk because it contains theobromine, a substance that is toxic to dogs. It can cause hyperactivity, increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. If you think your dog has eaten chocolate, call your vet or an animal poison control center immediately. |
