Stop Puppy Biting Feet Using Reinforcement Theory

by dennis
(new jersey)

How can I stop my dog from biting my feet and ankles. When I firmly tell her no she barks at me and then continues to go back to biting?

Your dog actually thinks that you are playing a game and is just continuing with what she thinks is a game. You need to start using reward and praise training i.e postive reinforcement - Why you this dog training technique? Because it works very well and is proven to work well!

Ok this is actually pretty easy to cure as we had another very similar case - you just need to have a little patience as it will take a bit of time. When you see your dog coming towards your feet and about to bite them say no! Say no in a firm voice - if she comes to bite them say no again - pick her up and place her in her crate for a period of time - ignore her! Let her out and continue with your business - do this every-time she comes to bite or barks at you - use this technique. The first time that she stops biting and barking at you - give her lots and lots of praise. Continue praising her every-time she stops on your command.

This will work we guarantee - she will soon learn that biting and then barking at you will lead to being ignored in the crate - and when she stops -she gets a reward - it's a no brainer.

Remember though when you place her in her crate make sure you only let her out when she has stopped barking and she is quiet. If you let her out when she barks - she will soon learn tha barking gets her her own way.

Continue this for a few weeks and let use know how you get on - remember be consistent and fair.