It can be a trying experience when your new puppy starts biting you. You finally get the pup home, and then they start nipping at your fingers or toes.
It’s not just frustrating; it’s also worrisome thinking about what kind of dog this little guy will turn out to be! But don’t worry – there are plenty of things you can do to stop a springer spaniel puppy biting!
What Can You Do to Stop a Springer Springer Spaniel Puppy Biting You?
The first thing you need to do is figure out why your puppy bites.
Puppies are teething, so they might be biting because their gums hurt, and it feels good when biting down onto something, so it’s only natural they are going to want to do it.
But biting and mouthing people is not acceptable puppies have pin-sharp teeth, and they need to learn fast that it is not ok to bite people.
There are a few things you can do to stop your springer spaniel puppy from biting and mouthing.
- Dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarded – so if you want to stop your puppy from biting, make sure that he doesn’t get any reward out of it. If he’s biting your hand, for example – don’t give him attention or praise.
Instead, use one FIRM correction command(such as NO, STOP, ETC) then, turn away and ignore the dog with minimal fuss. He will soon learn biting gets him the Opposite of what he wants from you “Attention”.Remember both scolding and praise and even touching your dog count as attention to your dog as they are all interactions.
- Make sure your springer puppy has enough exercise – A puppy that is bored with pent-up energy will likely want to take some of that energy out on anything around him.
That usually means they will mouth, bite and chew and nip anything in sight, be that your hands or your sofa!
So make sure to use exercise to help release his pent-up energy and also tire them out a little, but remember never over-exercise a puppy; they are still growing! - Another option would be teaching your springer some basic obedience commands – This will help teach discipline, and you will be able to get his attention when he starts getting too excited about playing around.
- Giving them something else they enjoy chewing on – Like an old shoe or chew toy that’s been stuffed with treats and kibble, so it smells more enticing than the fingers of their new owner!
Giving praise when they are chewing their chew toy is always a bonus! - Get everyone in your dog’s family on board – That means you, your partner, the kids, granny, grandad, everyone needs to be on the same page, so your dog does not get mixed signals for what is ok and not ok.
This will massively speed up any form of training with your dog, and everyone needs to know that if the dog starts biting or mouthing, or nipping you need to do XYZ to prevent it. - Everyone should use the same commands – It’s also a huge help if everyone in your family can all use the same commands for your dog too, as this avoids confusion (you may say sit, for example, but your kids may say sit down); sit down is effectively two commands (sit and down) down for me, gets my dogs to lay on the floor, so you can see how this may confuse my dogs.
- Consistency is the key to stopping puppy biting and nipping – With any of the tips above, will they work the first time you try them? No, they won’t, but if you are consistent and patient, they will begin to work and help your dog understand what you want from him.
Whatever you do, all puppies will go through the puppy biting phase, but they also need to learn that it’s not ok. - Finally – don’t forget about the importance and power behind positive reinforcement! If they do something good like sitting or coming when called for a treat, reward them with one immediately afterward
- de Klerk, Dr. Joanna (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 163 Pages – 05/23/2019 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)
Last update on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How Long Does It Take for a Springer Spaniel Puppy Biting To Stop?
Puppy biting is a normal behavior that puppies engage in as part of their exploration and teething process. It’s important to understand that puppies typically start to learn bite inhibition and reduce their biting intensity as they grow older and go through various developmental stages.
The time it takes for a puppy to stop biting can vary depending on several factors, including consistency in training and socialization. Here are some general guidelines:
- Early socialization: Socializing your puppy with other dogs and people from an early age can help them learn appropriate bite inhibition. Puppies that interact and play with other well-behaved dogs can pick up on social cues and learn bite inhibition through gentle play.
- Consistent training: Provide consistent training to teach your puppy appropriate behavior and discourage biting. Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as rewards and praise, to reward good behavior and redirect their biting onto appropriate chew toys or bones.
- Redirect and substitute: Whenever your puppy starts to bite, redirect their attention to a suitable chew toy or bone. This teaches them that biting on appropriate items is acceptable while redirecting their focus away from biting on hands or clothing.
- Reinforce calm behavior: Encourage and reward your puppy for calm and gentle behavior. Reinforcing positive behaviors and discouraging rough play can help them understand that gentle interaction is preferred.
- Time and patience: It takes time for puppies to learn and develop bite inhibition. Be patient and consistent with your training efforts. As they mature, their biting tendencies should gradually decrease.
It’s important to note that while puppy biting is normal, it’s crucial to differentiate between playful nipping and aggressive biting. If you notice excessive or aggressive biting behavior, it’s recommended to consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for guidance and additional training techniques.
Final Thoughts
Springer spaniel puppy biting is something all springer owners will have to go through, but thankfully it can be controlled with a little training, and it does not last forever! Using the above tips should have you on the way to a more well-behaved puppy in no time!
It can become frustrating at times but don’t give up on your little guy just yet!
