Does your dog bite a lot? When you adopt a puppy, you expect a lot of mess, sharp teeth gnawing on furniture and even a little biting during playtime. However, some pets grow up and continue to bite people in the house, either to play or to get attention. Whatever the purpose, nibbles are not pleasant and should be addressed.corrected as soon as possible.

But how to avoid this type of canine behavior? What are the reasons? There are many doubts that go through the minds of guardians who have biting beasts at home. To solve them, we had a chat with trainer Renan Berçot , from Rio de Janeiro, who conducts face-to-face and online consultancies to transform a biting dog into an exemplary doggie. Check out the interview!

Paws of the House: Can dog biting owner be just a prank or indicate another reason?

Renan Berçot: Before anything else, you need to understand what the reason for dog bites is so that you can correct them. It is super natural for a dog to bite during play, including between them. If the animal is in trouble, it will show it, not only with bites, but also with body language. Signs include having a paralysed body as a sign of attention, dilated pupils and lickingWhen he starts to move away, this can also be a sign, as can a frowning forehead, backward-facing ears and growling.

However, not all dog growling is bad; the dog also growls while playing, for example. Tail wagging is not always a factor of happiness either - if the dog is standing still and its tail is wagging, this may indicate that something is not right with it. When identifying these factors, it is important to develop mental activities with the dog, go for walks, go to different places... Everythingthis has the potential to help a dog meet its needs and have a better quality of life. As a consequence, biting and bad behaviors may decrease.

PC: Can physical activity burn off energy and decrease dog biting episodes?

RB : Physical activity has to be well thought out for each case, from dog to dog. Even so, it is not a guarantee that the pet will stop biting completely during play. Too much agitation can even make the animal bite more. Therefore, it is important to work on the dog's emotional state and encourage him to be calmer before playing or leaving the house. ifa puppy tends to get very agitated when going for walks, for example, you should make him calm down first, preventing him from reinforcing the state of euphoria.

PC: Can some dog toys inhibit biting during play?

RB: Many dog toys can help pets stop biting people during play. Specific chew products such as natural and nylon bones, hooves and horns, and food dispensers can help your dog learn what can and cannot be bitten by him.

PC: Is the change of teeth a period that can make the dog bite more?

RB: The puppy has the need to bite, especially because he feels ticklish in the gums during the change of teeth. At this stage, when he is learning what the bites are, it is important to always offer specific toys for this purpose. This helps to direct the bites, preventing them from gnawing furniture or damaging other objects in the house. In addition to the toys I have mentionedpreviously, cold things also help to relieve gum discomfort and make the dog bite only what he should.

PC: Can the dog's diet influence the decrease or increase in bites?

RB: In the case of a biting dog, what can help decrease this behavior is the way you offer the natural food or kibble to him. Active feeding features, such as food dispensers or other toys that he has to bite to get the treats, stimulate the dog to work mentally and expend energy.

PC: Can owner training prevent dog bites?

RB: Yes, the training done by the tutor, using the appropriate techniques, can stop the dog from biting everything and everyone. In addition, training increases the bond of trust between the animal and its owner. The person can seek help from an online class, or even in person, but it is important that he actively participates and trains the animal with dedication. Even if you don't have the money to pay for it, you can't afford it.paying a professional can train your puppy well. There is a lot of useful information on the internet to help.

PC: When should the owner identify that they need the help of a professional trainer to correct dog biting?

RB: Ideally, guardians should talk to a dog behavior specialist before adopting a dog. This helps them understand if they are prepared to receive the animal at home and if it is really the best time. By outlining all the planning, the person will be better able to educate the dog correctly. Prevention work, therefore, is the best way; educate the dog before itcreate bad habits.

However, if this prior care does not happen, it is important to seek professional help if the dog begins to bite excessively or show signs of aggression and stress.

PC: General tips you can give to prevent your dog from biting their owners during playtime.

RB: It is very nice to do bite inhibition work with the young dog. Soft bites can even be tolerated, but if he applies a little more force, you should stop playing, say "ouch", turn your back and leave. You don't necessarily have to correct the behavior, focus on the mistake; it is enough for the animal to understand that his bite made the fun end. In parallel, during theIn the end, the most important thing to train your pet is to have a lot of dedication and patience with him.