How to Make an American Eskimo Puppy Stop Biting

Using taste deterrent on your hands can prevent your puppy from biting your hands.
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American Eskimo puppies are similar to other breeds in that they're rambunctious, precocious and love to bite on things. Biting in puppies is an instinct that should be redirected instead of punished. Your new American Eskimo puppy can learn that biting is only appropriate when it is chewing on treats and toys, and that humans are off limits. During particular teething stages in its growth cycle, your puppy will bite harder and more often. Teaching your puppy proper biting manners early on is important to keep them from hurting a person or another dog in the future.

Practice bite inhibition with your puppy. One of a puppy's earliest instincts is bite inhibition, which they will practice with their mother and litter mates. When your puppy bites, you yell an exclamation loudly, for instance, "ouch!" This should make the puppy back off and stop biting for a moment, giving you a chance to walk away and ignore the puppy. Practicing this instinct will teach your American Eskimo puppy that biting too hard is not allowed.

Give your puppy a timeout when it bites too hard. American Eskimo puppies can get carried away while playing and may bite you too hard without realizing that it hurts. Isolating your puppy in another room or in a crate is a good way to tell them that playtime is over and that they were naughty.

Use taste repellent spray on your hands. Many pet stores will sell a spray that you can apply to your hands in order to make them taste bad. When your American Eskimo puppy bites down on your hand, it will taste the displeasing flavor and not want to bite harder. The negative aspect of using this spray is that it will affect your puppy even if it just licks your hand, and if you are not careful, you can spread it to the dog toys.


A stuffed toy can be a distraction for puppies who are biting people.
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Distract your puppy with toys. When your puppy starts biting or trying to bite you, give the puppy a toy instead. This will teach your American Eskimo puppy that toys are the right material for biting, and human skin is not. Providing fun toys to bite is healthy for puppies and adult dogs alike.

Tips

  • Provide your puppy with a large variety of toys so that there is always something new and exciting to chew on. Make sure to purchase toys that are made specially for puppies.

Warnings

  • Never hit your puppy or bite your puppy back, as this can cause aggression or fear-biting. Consult a dog trainer if you are having issues with your puppy biting too aggressively.

Warnings

  • Never hit your puppy or bite your puppy back, as this can cause aggression or fear-biting.

  • Consult a dog trainer if you are having issues with your puppy biting too aggressively.

Tips

  • Provide your puppy with a large variety of toys so that there is always something new and exciting to chew on.

  • Make sure to purchase toys that are made specially for puppies.

Items You Will Need

  • Dog crate
  • Taste deterrent spray
  • Dog toys