Is Your Dog A Biter?
Is your dog really friendly with everyone in your family, but really vicious and territorial around other people, even to the point of biting? Has your dog bitten more than one person? If your dog bites people, then you really will need to do something about it. One of the first things that you should do if your dog has a biting problem is to get him checked out to make sure that he does not have rabies. Overall, you need to remember that even if your dog is friendly around you, you can't risk having a dog that has a biting problem. However, don't get discouraged ā you don't have to put your dog to sleep right away. Instead, try some of these options instead to help your dog that bites:
1)Buy a muzzle: One of the best ways to keep your dog from biting is by placing a muzzle around them! Muzzles are contraptions which are placed around the dog's mouth, so that they can't open it. This is a really a good option for a lot of people, because muzzles are relatively inexpensive. Usually you can find a really good muzzle for under $20. In addition, a muzzle also is great because it does not damage or hurt your dog in any way.
2)"Bitter Appleā? or Citronella Spray: If your dog has a habit of biting on certain things or pieces of clothing, you should consider spraying the objects or clothes with a citronella spray or a bitter tasting spray. These sprays also are called "Bitter Appleā? spray. These sprays have a bitter taste, which is really unpleasant for the dog. Because the taste is so unpleasant, the dog learns quickly not to bite that specific object or thing. However, if your dog has a problem biting strangers or individuals, this can be a harder option to help stop your dog from biting. The only other way that you can use this spray is to spray your dog in the mouth whenever it attempts to nip at anything. This is another way to help your dog learn not to bite.
3)Have the dog's teeth removed: Although this is a hard option to face, sometimes having your dog's teeth removed can be a necessary step. By removing some or all of your dog's teeth, you will risk the chance of having your pet hurt another person. If you do decide to go with this option, you should speak with your vet to see what you will need to do about it. You also should get advice from your vet about what changes will need to be made in your dog's care (such as what food you will need to feed your dog once its teeth are removed).
4)Take the dog to a trainer or a behaviorist: Some people have found success with their dogs that bite by taking their dog to a trainer or a behaviorist. There are some trainers and behaviorists who are able to help train dogs not to bite. Sometimes training a dog can be rather expensive, and you might want to look into hiring a trainer or a behaviorist as one of your last options.
These are some of the options that you can take if you have a dog that bites. However, if none of these options can help you to control your biting dog, then you might have to put your dog to sleep. Although this can be a very painful option for you to take, sometimes it can be necessary. Despite how wonderful or great your dog may be, you also can not have your dog be a hazard to other people.
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