My puppy's biting is tearing skin. Should I see a behaviorist?

Hi there! I'm sorry to hear that you're having this problem with Chase. Without being able to observe him in person, it's hard to say if this is truly aggressive behavior (which would be extremely concerning in such as young pup) or just very intense play biting/mouthing - which can be normal for some dogs, especially high-drive working breeds, but is often difficult for pet owners to manage. Either way, it sounds like you could definitely use some professional help. I would recommend getting in touch with a good canine behaviorist who can evaluate Chase in person to help determine if this is aggression vs. play, and put together a detailed training plan to work on his behavior. You can find information on how to search for a qualified professional in your area here: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/findabehaviourist

This is completely normal for puppies - they all want to bite and grab, and their tiny puppy teeth are very sharp! You need to have a variety of different toys, and you need to play with him in a way that encourages him to want to grab and bite the toys instead of you :) If you're having trouble with this, I would strongly recommend enrolling him in a good puppy class, or making an appointment with a good reward-based trainer who can help show you how to do this in person. You can search for a qualified trainer in your area here: www.ccpdt.org

That is a lot going on and it sounds like Oggy would benefit from a visit with a trainer or veterinary behaviorist in your area, especially if she is being aggressive to the point of bruising or drawing blood. Aggression usually looks very different from play/exploration biting and can include low growling, stiff bodies, showing the whites of the eyes, hair raising on the back, baring teeth, and then nipping or biting. This is unusual in a puppy of this age, so if it is happening, it is best to seek professional help in person ASAP since it is a complex issue that needs to be worked with. If the nipping is just puppy nipping, and she is also chewing on lots of things, it could just be normal puppy behavior and a puppy kindergarten/training classes is a great way to establish some ground rules and get used to interacting with each other in a positive manner. I'm also including some articles on general puppy nipping/chewing that may help as well. https://www.petcoach.co/article/puppy-biting-nipping-of-hands/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/puppy-biting-when-does-it-stop/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/chewing-in-puppies-how-to-control-it/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-tips-to-help-prevent-destructive-chewing/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-choose-a-dog-trainer/

Is the biting aggressive or puppy behavior? If you are seeing snarling, bared teeth, growling and then biting to the point of drawing blood, that indicates an aggressive approach and you should consult with a veterinary behaviorist in your area ASAP. If it is the typical puppy behavior, usually done with hopping and nipping, wiggly body, while playing, etc, then it seems that you just need more time and patience with Papi. Puppies explore their environment with their mouths, so making sure he has plenty of appropriate chew toys can help curb the behavior. If he does get too nippy, yelping loudly, and then getting up and walking away (and thus ending play) is best to help teach him that too rough of play ends the fun. You can then praise and give treats for times where he is quietly playing with a toy or with you. Puppies do go through a teething stage at about 6-7 months of age, so the chewing and nipping behavior can ramp up again at that time. Sticking with your training can help ensure the nipping behavior stays minimal.

I am so sorry that you are experiencing these problems with biting with Darby. I am sure it is very upsetting for you. First of all rest assured that this is a very normal puppy behaviour. Puppies learn through play biting and it is part of our role as pet parents to help them learn limits. The biting behaviour will diminish with age. I would not attempt negative reinforcement such as striking Darby or speaking harshly as this will potentially create more serious behaviour issues such as anxiety and fear-aggression. Try some calm corrections and positive reinforcement. If Darby bites you, simply say in a calm voice "no" and stop interacting with her for a few moments. This over time will teach her that biting is not a desired form of play. Also try reinforcing her as she starts to play in a good way by not biting, and give her a small training treat. If Darby does manage to bite hard enough to break the skin be careful of a possible infection. Monitor your wound for heat. Swelling, or discharge. Make an appointment with your doctor if this occurs. If you are struggling with the biting after a couple of weeks of the above suggested training methods, consider puppy socialisation classes or potentially a few sessions with a behaviourist. Distraction, increased exercise, and redirection will also help. Other games which may be fun with Darby are hide and go seek either with you and another person, or you hide her toys and she has to find them. Or classic fetch. This resource should help! https://www.petcoach.co/article/10-ways-to-stimulate-your-dog-s-brain/ I hope this was helpful!

Hi there! With any dog that is biting, there is the potential for them to really harm someone, or even another dog. The advice I always give is to contact your local veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist ( a veterinarian who specializes in behavior). If this is not an option in your area, then your vet should be able to give you some recommendations for reputable trainers in your area. Working with a professional is the safest and best recommendation I can give. It is never a good idea to let a behavioral issue like biting go on for too long. And your friend should definitely make sure this dog has a rabies vaccine. There are many legal issues that can arise if this dog bites another person and breaks the skin. I hope you find this answer helpful! Best of luck!

I would recommend actually hiring a trainer to come and evaluate Axel. They can work with you and him on how to either stop the behavior or redirect him so he does not bite people. Your veterinarian or people in your neighborhood will be the best place to go for a recommendation. I would also recommend a trainer that comes to your home. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.