If your Shiba puppy is teething, it will tend to chew and bite almost everything in sight. Even by enforcing dog obedience training, your pup will like to bite. The key to stopping the behavior is to inhibit biting during Shiba puppy training. This is especially important for Shibas, who should be socialized early in life with humans and other dogs.
Teaching Bite Inhibition and Making It Stick
A Shiba Inu puppy who learns bite inhibition is less likely to become an adult dog who bites. By offering your new pup chew toys, he will learn what is acceptable to chew on or bite and what is off-limits. In some cases, you may have to place your Shiba gently in a crate so he will settle down.
Showing Your Dog Not to Use Force
Consider this – a puppy’s mouth contains 28 very tiny teeth that are razor-sharp – teeth that often are attracted to your sensitive fingers or toes. While most dog trainers typically describe a pup’s biting as “play” biting, it is not so fun for the recipient. However, this is normal for your pup to do when it is going through the teething stage.
You just need to train your Shiba not to bite down hard. By moderating the force of the bite, you can make communications with your dog easier when it is grown. If a dog learns bite inhibition, it can lightly bite your hand, for instance, if it is afraid or in pain.
Gently Place Your Pup in Its Crate
Usually, if a Shiba pup bites its Mama or sibling too forcefully, they will let the puppy know that it hurt by yelping. You might do the same thing if your pup bites you. However, in this case, it may get your sensitive Inu more worked up and cause it to bite even more. When puppy training your Shiba not to bite, it is better to lightly place your pup into a crate until they calm down. If they stop their painful nipping, be sure to give your puppy a reward in the form of verbal phrase or a kibble treat.
Use Passive Resistance
The secret to stopping your puppy from biting is to let him know that nipping too hard means that the game is over. Yelling at your puppy is not the answer, as doing so will prevent any bond being forged between you and your pet. This type of negative reinforcement will only make your Shiba fearful of your handling him. Instead, when you pup bites, teach him that he will not receive any type of reward. Simply turn away from your Shiba and tuck your hands inside your armpits, concealing them from view.
Be Careful when Engaging in a Roughhouse Type of Play
This type of response is a calming type of signal that lets your puppy know that you will not give him attention when he bites. Remember, you will lose the point of this exercise if you roughhouse with your dog. In these instances, your pup may naturally bite you, again thinking it is okay.
Arm Yourself with a Chew Toy
How you interact with your pup is as important as what you give your pup to chew on and bite. This way, you can anticipate your pup’s nips in advance. By having a chew toy near you at all times, you can give your puppy a biting alternative to your fingers or toes. If he starts to nibble on your fingers or toes during play, give him the toy instead.
Don’t allow your pup to continue to bite at your fingers or toes. Stop play immediately. If puppy training has included teaching your Inu to sit, you might ask your biting and nipping dog to sit. Reward him with a chew toy when he does what he is told.
Keep Your Puppy from Pouncing
If your Shiba tends to pounce at your feet, as puppies do, when you walk him, make sure you keep treats with you to incentivize your puppy not to pounce but to walk nicely next to you. Use this same method when you are issuing dog commands and performing leash training with your puppy.
Time-outs are Helpful Too
Again, if you gently place your Shiba puppy in a crate when it is nipping at your toes and hands, you will give it the message to stop biting. Just make sure that your puppy knows you are not punishing him. The crate should never be perceived as a form of punishment. Once your Shiba calms down, it is important to let him out and let him know that putting him in the crane is not a form of retribution.
Also, remember, a biting puppy can be a tired puppy. Therefore, putting him in his crate for nap time can alleviate the problem. You can also use puppy potty training to give your dog a restroom break or allow him to get some water. Biting becomes less of a behavioral problem when a pup’s basic needs—feeding and drinking water—are met.
Let Him Sprint around the Backyard
Sometimes, a puppy will continue to bite if he needs to burn up some excess energy, whether physical or mental. If he continues to bite after offering him a toy, take him outside and let him run around and get rid of the built-up energy.
Enroll in a Puppy Training Class
Make sure you provide positive reinforcement when your Shiba puppy not biting at all, or sitting quietly. Give him a kibble treat or a good puppy pat to let him know you appreciate his behavior. If you believe the bites are being made out of aggression, you may need to contact a dog trainer to see how to address the problem. It also helps to go through puppy training by enrolling in a class. Not only will learning dog commands instill better behavior in your pup, it will give your dog a chance to socialize with other canine friends. That is something that is especially good for a Shiba’s development.
Give It Six Months
According to dog training professionals, your Shiba pup, if properly trained, should give up biting by the time it reaches 6 months of age. If it is still being too aggressive, you will need to consult with a dog trainer to assist you in modifying your Shiba’s behavior.
