Stop Mature Dog Biting

The older your dog gets the harder it is to change unwanted behaviors such as biting. But the saying “you can’t teach and old dog new tricks” is not necessarily true. You can get your mature dog to stop biting but it will take some work on your part.

A muzzle is a good place to start until you have your dog trained to no longer bite. Keep your dog muzzled at all times it is in contact with strangers or even visitors in your home. It is not worth the risk.

When training your mature dog not to bite, when your dog nips, growls, or actually bites let out a load gut growl and chase your dog away from you while acting like a scary monster or maniac. Your dog will retreat. Make sure you do this as soon as your dog shows any negative biting behaviors.

If your dog is biting out of showing dominance, it can be a bit more difficult to break. It already feels like it is the ruler so basically you have to take the control back. This will require you to demand that your dog follows through with every one of your commands from the simplest such as sitting to commands that are more complex. Feed only after giving a command and your dog following your command. Limit the time the food is available to your dog. This puts you back in charge in the dog’s mind. The hand that feeds the dog controls the dog.

Enforce boundaries with your dog. After time, boundaries can become lax. It is time to take back control. Make separate sleeping quarters for your dog if they are sleeping in your room and especially if they are sleeping in your bed. Make couches and other furniture off limits and stick to it. Your dog will gain more respect for you and your regain control.

Avoid games with your dog were they become overly excited. Many times, mature dogs bite out of excitement. However, those bites can draw blood and cause injury just the same as an intentional bite.

If a dog is biting out of being alpha over territory, take the territory away from them. Dogs can make claims to certain toys, areas, and even pieces of furniture in your home, and when another makes move into that territory, you will know by your dog first beginning to growl, and then biting to guard what it believes is his/hers. Quickest way to end it is to remove access to it.

If your dog is biting out of fear, you have to handle it a bit different. It is natural for a dog to bite when afraid. Do not punish your dog for being afraid. This will only make the matter worse and increase your dog’s fear, which in turn will increase the biting. When you se your dog is uneasy in a situation you need to reassure your dog that it is okay. Try to introduce your dog to the same condition or situation be it being around strangers, crowds, or other dogs, slowly and under controlled scenarios until your dog increases its self confidence and becomes more comfortable in those trigger situations.


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