When a grown dog bites or mouths your hand or other limbs when you play or interact with them, it can be painful. Unlike puppies, adult dogs have much stronger jaws and can do a lot more damage, even unintentionally. If you’d like to avoid injury to yourself, family, other pets, or guests who visit your home, you need to learn how to stop this behavior.

Although it can be more difficult than with puppies, according to Evergreen Kennels—a doggy day care in Churchville, NY—it’s still possible to curb your adult dog’s nipping and play biting. Below are a few tactics they recommend trying:

• Play Non-Contact Activities: Dogs love to play, but roughhousing encourages them to mouth and nip. Instead, play activities that don’t involve wrestling, like fetch and tug-of-war. The doggy day care staff also suggests leaving out plenty of chew toys out for them so they can gnaw on something other than your hands.
• Substitute Toys & Treats for Toes & Fingers: Your dog probably has a fondness for mouthing your toes and fingers. Whenever they do this, give them their favorite toy or a bone. If your dog goes for your toes whenever they see your feet moving, try to give them their toy, and if they dart back for your feet when they start moving again, stop immediately. When your dog stops mouthing you, praise them and give them their toy again. Repeat this process until your pooch learns they should not go for your moving feet.
• Give Them a Time Out: Give your dog a time out whenever their teeth touch your skin, not just for hard bites. Ignore them for up to a minute by leaving the room or by leading them into a quiet room and closing the door.

You never have to worry about your pup or someone else’s being accidentally bitten at Evergreen Kennels. They have a personalized playtime for all dogs to eliminate this risk. If you’d like to learn more about this boarding facility, call them today at (585) 293-1920. You can also learn more about their doggy day care services by visiting their website and Facebook page.