Problematic Aggression in Pets

karen-web-1.jpgArticle by: Dr. Karen Becker, DVM, NMD

Most normal puppy mouthiness just goes away on its own, regardless of how much or how little puppy parents do to stop it, once puppies acquire their adult teeth. Instead of punishment, the use of positive distraction and the encouragement of acceptable behavior are far better approaches, yielding much better results. When puppies play with each other, they use their mouths, so they tend to do the same thing when they interact with people. It is often a challenge to convince a new enthusiastic puppy not to bite the hand that feeds him, pets him, and plays with him. Nipping and mouthing is very common and very normal puppy behavior.

This is rarely an aggressive behavior intended to harm you, but it can be a difficult habit to break without some good, practical tools in your “puppy training tool bag.” This article is intended to help you manage puppy nipping effectively, while at the same time helping you build a good relationship with your puppy, based on trust rather than fear.


How to Tell Normal Play from Problematic Aggression

Distraction Is the Best Prevention

Encouraging Appropriate Play

What Not To Do

How to Tell Normal Play from Problematic Aggression

Behaviors that may indicate early aggression include:

* Prolonged deep-tone growling

* A fixed gaze

* A stiff posture



So how can you tell the difference between normal play and true aggression? Aggressive behaviors may be related to fear, possessiveness, conflict or pain. If you have concerns about excessive mouthing or early puppy aggressiveness, consult your veterinarian or a board certified animal behaviorist. Of course, even normal puppy play can become too intense, and when this happens, you must intervene appropriately. Most puppy play consists of chasing, pouncing, barking, growling, snapping and biting.

Distraction Is the Best Prevention

A quick and easy method for redirecting your puppy’s attention is offering a more acceptable object to gnaw on, such as a chew toy, at the same time as you start to pet him. Nipping or biting often occurs in puppies when they are being petted or played with.



Try alternating which hand does the petting and which one offers the chew toy. This helps your pup learn that people and petting are wonderful, and also keeps his mouth busy.


Encouraging Appropriate Play

Ignoring your puppy for a few minutes teaches him that biting you makes you go away, which is an immediate negative reinforcement for the behavior. Or you can make a high-pitched “yipping” noise—or loudly say “OUCH! and immediately walk away. Then you can return a little later and try playing again.


Here are a few other tips for encouraging appropriate play:

*Provide plenty of exercise. Going on walks is a fantastic way to do this, and benefits you with some exercise as well. Your new puppy is a bundle of energy, so give him plenty of discharge outlets. Short but frequent walks help your pup vent pent up energy and gives him an appropriate outlet for all that motion!





*Do not reward annoying or bad behavior. Once he stops soliciting attention for 10 seconds, ask him to sit. If he becomes too pushy about getting attention by whining, nudging, etc, pull your hands away and look away. Then give him attention and affection.

*Any time you begin to move from one area of the home to another, use this as an opportunity to ask you pup to “sit and stay” for a second or two, then give the command to follow you. You can also teach him not to move without your permission.



What Not To Do


* Scruff shakes

* Alpha rollovers

* Forcing the puppy to the floor, or pinning him down

* Thumping or swatting his nose, hitting, or kicking

* Pushing his nose into feces (punishment for inappropriate soiling)

* Putting your fingers down his throat