The last thing any dog owner wants is for their dog to bite them, one of their friends or family, or a stranger.  When it comes to puppies and dogs, there are all kinds of biting and nipping – from playful to aggressive, but the habit can prove problematic.  Even playful nipping can hurt and your dog may cause injury or scare someone without intending too.  If you have noticed your puppy or adult dog is biting or nipping, even playfully, you should try to train them not too as soon as possible.

First, teaching a dog not to nip or bite is similar to teaching a child to stop a bad behavior.  If you are playing with your dog, whether with a toy or without, and your dog nips at you the play needs to stop immediately.  As soon as your dog nips or bites you, you need to yelp or make a loud painful noise so that they know they hurt you.  Dogs understanding a yelping noise to mean that they have hurt you. Consider saying “ouch” or “too bad” and then discontinuing play.By stopping the fun activity, your dog will see that there is a consequence for their nipping and biting.  If your dog stops right away and behaves with gentleness, reward and praise them.  If they continue to nip or bite, end the play completely.Stop play, take the toy away, and put your dog in a “time out.”  Ignore them entirely and consider leaving the room.  After a few minutes return and try to resume play.  This will teach your dog that gentle play is allowed but nipping and biting will not be tolerated.

Another way to help teach your dog to control their behavior when being played with is to teach them impulse control and obedience.  As they learn to control their impulses and follow your instructions/behave, they may be able to execute better control in all areas.  Additionally, consider providing a replacement activity such as a toy, bone or other game.  This can be helpful when a new person comes over or when play would normally become aggressive. It distracts them from their normal desire to nip and gives them something else in which to channel their energy.

It is important to be able to distinguish playful nipping or biting from aggressive behavior.  If a dog’s body and face are rigid and tense, they growl or bark, or the bite is particularly painful.  Though playful bites can be painful, an aggressive bite tends to be swift and particularly painful whereas nipping and mouthing is more playful and gentle.  If you suspect your dog is nipping or biting out of aggression, it is important to speak to a professional about correcting this behavior in your dog to prevent risk of serious injury.

There are occasionally dog owners that do not need to leash train their dog because they live in such a remote place. But generally, even well-behaved dogs need to be leash trained.  Being leash trained is important for things like going on walks, going to the pet store, travel with your dog, visiting a friend’s home, or more.  Many new dog owners mistakenly think that leash training your dog is as simple as attaching the leash to your dog’s collar and heading on your way. The reality is, it is far more complicated than that but proper leash training early on can lead to a happy dog and dog owner down the road.

Any time you are approaching training of any kind with your dog, it is important to do so with patience.  For some, leash training is very easy and for others it can be a challenging and occasionally frustrating experience.  One of the most important things you can do is choose the correct collar and leash for your dog.  Head to your local pet store and you will see what we are talking about – there are tons of options!  What you choose will depend on the size of your dog, age of your dog, and personality type.  If your dog is a puppy, get an adjustable collar that can grow with them.  A basic, flat collar is great for dogs but if you have a dog with a short-nose such as a Pug, Boston Terrier or other small breed, you may want a harness collar to prevent damaging your dog’s trachea.  Next, invest in either a fixed-length leash or an adjustable-length leash in a material of your choosing.  Generally, a fixed-length leash is ideal for initial leash training and once your dog has learned how to properly loose-leash walk, you can introduce the adjustable-length leash.

When training begins, most dogs are prone to pulling on the leash and dragging the walker but that is not ideal for your dog’s health.  It may be tempting to yank your dog back by the leash but do not do this.  Walking on a leash goes against a dog’s natural instinct so to prevent a dog from pulling on the leash while walking, it is important that you do not allow your dog to pull at all.  Even if your dog is a young puppy, do not allow them to pull on the leash.  First, do not use leash training time as part of your dog’s daily exercise.  Until your dog learns to walk on a leash without pulling, any time on the leash should be training time.  Make sure you exercise your dog thoroughly so that they do not have boundless energy once they are on the leash.  Walk at a brisk pace or consider jogging at the beginning so that your dog will be less tempted to tug on the leash.  Carry small rewards with you so that when your dog is successful on the leash and does not pull, you can give them plenty of rewards.  If you teach your dog from the outset that pulling on the leash will not get them where they want to go, they will learn quickly to be patient.  Attempt to have them stand next to you and wait to take a single step until you take a step.  If they do this with control, reward with praise and treats.  In the process of training, if your dog tries to get ahead of you or pull on the leash, come to a complete stop until your dog returns to your side.  Remember, it takes baby steps and lots of attention to achieve proper leash training but the end reward will be profound!

Taking care of your dog is as simple as giving them a loving, safe home, right?  Not quite.  Though that is incredibly important, it is not all that is involved in proper and complete dog care.  Having a pet is a fun and rewarding experience and the relationship can be life-changing for both you and your dog.  But, because your dog cannot speak, it is necessary that you be your dog’s advocate and care-taker.  Every dog has a different personality and needs but there are some basics of care that are universal across all dog breeds.

1. Healthy Food
   • Sure, your dog would love to eat a pound of cooked bacon every day. And, they probably would if left to their own devices.  But as your dog’s caretaker, you need to ensure that you dog is getting the appropriate amount of healthy food.  This will help protect your dog’s health, prevent obesity, and encourage a long and healthy life.
2. Adequate Hydration
   • All dogs need access to clean drinking water. Always ensure that your dog’s bowl is full of clean water, and give them a special treat by giving them cool water, particularly during the summer when it is hot outside.  If your dog is not drinking enough water they can become dehydrated (signs and symptoms include panting and lethargy).
3. Veterinary Appointments/Checkups
   • Just like you need well-checks with your doctor to ensure all if right with your health, your dog does as well. With consistent veterinary appointments you can get your dog the vaccinations and health treatments they need to give them a long, healthy life.
4. Consistent Grooming
   • Though some dogs are shorthaired breeds, every dog needs to be groomed on a regular basis. It will help keep them healthy and smelling their best.  This includes routine haircuts, nail trimming, brushing and more.
5. Dental Care
   • Every dog needs proper dental care to ensure their dental health. Dental disease can occur in any dog which can make it difficult for your dog to eat or be debilitating to their overall health.  Brushing, dental checkups, and treats that encourage dental health will help keep your dogs teeth their healthiest.
6. Bathing/Hygiene
   • Almost every breed of dog needs to be bathed on a routine basis. Dogs sweat just like humans and they will start to smell if they have not been bathed.  Additionally, dogs play outside; roll around on the ground and more so bathing may be necessary due to certain activities.
7. Bathroom Accommodations
   • Dogs need access to a place to relieve themselves. This may vary depending on where you live but someone either needs to be around to open a door a few times each day to allow your dog to go outside and go to the bathroom, or they need to have access to a dog door or place they can go to the bathroom on their own.
8. A Cozy Place to Rest
   • Not every dog will want to sleep on a dog bed but every dog needs somewhere comfortable to rest. This may be a crate with a cushion, a dog bed, a cozy blanket placed on the ground or sofa, or with you in your bed if you prefer.
9. Exercise
   • Every dog, regardless of age, needs exercise. Exercise needs will vary depending on your dog breed and age but every dog should have access to a yard to play or be taken on frequent walks to get adequate exercise.
10. Love & Affection
    • Every dog deserves and wants love and affection. It is perhaps the most important part of proper dog care.  Dogs will show affection in different ways such as play, cuddling, kisses and other gestures.