A 2014 research quoted here showed that up to $50 million is spent by Americans annually on inpatient treatments related to dog biting injuries. Every year, 4.5 million individuals are injured by dogs in the United States, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (2001).
Approximately one in five of these patients must receive medical care. Between 2005 and 2013, emergency department visits for dog bites averaged 337,103 per year in the United States, according to Loder (2019).
While puppy biting may contribute a very small fraction of the 300,000+ ER visits, this undesirable habit can be a real nuisance when it keeps disrupting the peace in your home – especially if one puppy is biting others. If it is biting you doing puppy play-biting, you need to teach your puppy to inhibit the force of its bites.
Table of Contents
Teach your puppy bite inhibition first before shock collars:
The key to effectively controlling dog biting behaviors among small and large-breed puppies lies in proper socialization and bite inhibition training.
Bite inhibition is the natural process by which puppies learn to control the force of their bites so as not to injure their playmates or mothers. When done correctly, puppies that have learned bite inhibition will typically stop biting altogether or only do so with extremely soft pressure that doesn’t hurt.
Puppies that have not learned bite inhibition, on the other hand, will tend to bite harder and with greater frequency. This can often lead to injuries, both for the puppy itself and for those it bites.
Biting is normal canine behavior. Puppies use their mouths to explore the world and play with their littermates. However, as dogs mature, they should be taught that biting is not acceptable behavior. Unfortunately, some dogs never learn this lesson and continue to bite throughout their lives. Don’t make the same mistakes as one of our family friends who never really got around to controlling their dog’s biting behavior.
“It’s a Puppy Thing!,” Dr. Ian Dunbar exclaims. He explains further that ‘although puppy biting is seldom dangerous, many bites can be painful, and when they’re delivered to the doggie Mom or Dad or litter brothers or sisters, it elicits an appropriate response in the form of a yelp and a break in enjoyable play sessions.”
If you make you forbid your puppy to stop biting immediately without teaching it to understand that the bites are actually painful, then it wouldn’t know what to do when it grows up and meets with other dogs. It might become overly aggressive since it was never taught how to inhibit its bites, and this can lead to dangerous consequences.
How, then, do you teach your puppy not to bite so hard? The key is in giving your puppy a time-out when it bites too hard.
When your puppy bites you too hard, make an “Ouch!” sound loud enough to startle your puppy and immediately stop playing with it. Then, walk away for about 20 to 30 seconds. After the break, come back and resume playing with your pup, but be sure to keep a close eye on it. If it bites you too hard again, repeat the time-out process.
With enough repetition, your puppy will start to understand that if it bites too hard, it will lose its playmate (that’s you!). And eventually, it will learn to inhibit the force of its bites altogether.
Why do they bite?
There are several reasons why dogs may bite including;
- Fear,
- Aggression,
- Possessiveness,
- Pain,
- Predatory behavior,
- Playfulness – most likely the reason for puppies to bite
- Self-defense
While most bites occur without serious consequences, some can result in severe injury or even death. It is important to understand the reasons behind biting behavior in order to help prevent it.
What are the most effective ways to stop a puppy from biting?
The most effective way to stop a dog from biting is to train them not to bite in the first place. This can be done through positive reinforcement training, which rewards the dog for good behavior. For example, if your dog sits calmly when someone approaches, you would give them a treat. Over time, the dog will learn that good behavior is rewarded and that biting is not.
It is also important to socialize your dog from an early age. This means exposing them to different people, places, and situations so that they learn to cope with new experiences calmly. A well-socialized dog is less likely to feel fear or anxiety in new situations, which can lead to biting.
If your dog is already exhibiting biting behavior, there are a few things you can do to stop it. First, try to identify the trigger for the biting. This could be something as simple as someone petting them too hard or in a way that they don’t like. Once you know the trigger, you can work on desensitizing your dog to it. This means slowly exposing them to the trigger in a controlled setting until they no longer react with fear or aggression.
You may also need to provide additional training and behavior modification to help your dog learn not to bite. This could include teaching them alternate behaviors such as “sit” or “down” that they can do instead of biting. If your dog is highly food motivated, you may be able to use treats as a way to reward them for good behavior.
Controlling biting in puppies:
Puppies bite for different reasons than adult dogs. The mouth and nibble as part of play behavior, to explore their environment, or to relieve teething pain. While it is important to nip biting behavior in the bud, you also need to be careful not to inadvertently encourage it.
For example, if you yell at your puppy when they bite, they may think you are playing a game with them and become more excited. This can lead to more biting. Instead, you should remain calm and assertive when telling your puppy “no bite”.
You can also redirect your puppy’s attention to a toy or chew bone whenever they start to mouth or nibble on you. This will teach them that biting is not an acceptable way to play.
Finally, provide your puppy with plenty of opportunities to socialize and play with other dogs. This will help them learn bite inhibition, which is the ability to control the force of their bites.
When to introduce a shock collar to a puppy?
You should only introduce a shock collar to a puppy if all other training methods have failed. This is because puppies are still learning and developing, and the use of a shock collar could have negative consequences.
Some puppies can start getting shock collar training from around the 15th week but the ideal period to start using e-collar on your puppy is when they are at least 6 months.
Begin by putting it on them for short periods of time (no more than 10 minutes at a time) while they are engaged in an activity they enjoy, such as playing with a toy. This will help them associate the collar with positive experiences.
You should then gradually increase the duration of time the collar is worn and the intensity of the shocks. This should only be done under the guidance of a qualified trainer, as it is easy to accidentally injure your puppy if you do not know what you are doing.
Factors to consider when picking the best dog shock collar to stop biting
When choosing an electric shock collar to stop your dog from biting, it is important to consider the following factors:
- -Size of the Collar: Make sure the collar is the right size for your dog. It should be snug but not too tight, and it should be made of sturdy material that will not break easily. Sizes of collars range from extra small to extra large.
- -Power of the Collar: The power of the shock collar is important, as you want to make sure the collar will be able to deliver a strong enough shock to deter your dog from biting. However, you also want to make sure the collar is not too powerful, as this could injure your dog.
- -Range of the Collar: The range of the shock collar is important, as you want to make sure the collar will be able to reach your dog when he or she is biting. Collars with a longer range are often more expensive, but they may be worth the investment if you have a large home or yard.
- -Type of Collar: There are two main types of shock collars: static and sonic. Static collars deliver a shock when the button is pressed, while sonic collars emit a high-pitched noise that can be used to deter your dog from biting. Sonic collars are often more expensive than static collars, but they may be more effective for some dogs.
- -Intensity of the Shock: The intensity of the shock should be adjustable, so you can find the level that is effective for your dog without causing pain or discomfort. High voltage collars are not necessarily more effective than low voltage collars, and in fact, maybe less effective as the dog may become accustomed to the high level of shock.
- -Frequency of the Shock: The frequency of the shock should also be adjustable, so you can find the level that is effective for your dog without causing pain or discomfort. A low-frequency shock may be more effective, as it is less likely to cause pain or discomfort.
- -Duration of the Shock: The duration of the shock should be adjustable, so you can find the level that is effective for your dog without causing pain or discomfort. A shorter duration shock may be more effective, as it is less likely to cause pain or discomfort.
- -Battery Life: The battery life of the shock collar is important, as you want to make sure the collar will be able to deliver a shock for the duration of the training period. Collars with longer battery life are often more expensive, but they may be worth the investment if you plan on using the collar for an extended period of time.
- -Waterproof: The shock collar should be waterproof, as you want to make sure the collar will still be effective if your dog gets wet. Waterproof collars are often more expensive, but they may be worth the investment if you live in an area with a lot of rain or snow.
How to use a shock collar to teach a dog to stop biting:
Buy an appropriate-size collar and attach it snugly but not too tightly around your dog’s neck.
Give a warning: Before giving the shock, it is important to give your dog a warning by saying “no” or “ah-ah.” This will let the dog know that a shock is coming if he or she does not stop biting.
Press the button on the remote to deliver the shock. The shock should be of short duration and not too strong. You want to make sure the shock is enough to deter the dog from biting, but not so strong that it causes pain or discomfort.
Repeat the process as necessary until the dog stops biting. It is important to be consistent with the shocks, as this will help the dog learn more quickly.
Best anti-biting shock collars for Puppies
PetResolve Training Dog Collar
Our top choice has an anti-bark mode that deactivates the remote but works magic with training small and medium size dogs that excessively bark. You need to turn on anti-bark mode and as your dog barks, the collar will automatically correct him. You’ll be able to see the remote blinking twice every 3 to 5 seconds showing that anti-bark mode is active.
More details on PetResolve’s anti-bark mode are on their website here.
So what does this collar offer?
PetResolve Training Dog Collar is the perfect solution to train up to 3 dogs for a range of desirable behaviors. Don’t let your dog get side-tracked by other animals or misbehave in public with shameful biting and nipping.
This PetResolve Training Dog Collar by PetResolve offers 1-10 levels of correction, vibration mode, and sound mode to help correct unwanted behaviors in your dog. Quick to use and with much less room for error, you need to correct right away otherwise the behavior isn’t associated with the action.
PetResolve Training Dog Collars are designed to make training your dog easier than ever. You can see exactly what you’re doing, and it’s all controlled by the remote which means you won’t have to bend down or reach for anything. The PetResolve collar is waterproof and rechargeable so there’s no need for batteries. It has a long-lasting rechargeable battery that can be used for up to 2 weeks on a single charge. Its lithium-ion battery pack takes just 2 hours to fully charge.
Its range is 3/4 miles which are pretty good for most training needs. You’ll be able to use this indoors and outdoors without any issues.
The collar is also adjustable from 8-27 inches which should fit most dogs. It’s made with high-quality nylon that is comfortable, durable, and won’t rub your dog’s fur the wrong way.
Below are all the features you can expect with this collar;
- Three Training Modes: Shock, Vibration, and Tone Modes
- 10 Levels of Stimulation
- Automatic Anti-Bark Mode
- 3/4 Mile Range
- Remote Supports Up to 3 Collars
- Memorizes Settings for Each Collar
- Remote Activated Nightlight
- Always-Awake/No Stand-by Mode
- Splash-proof Remote, Waterproof Receiver
- Additional Extra-Long Prongs for Long-Haired Dogs
- 2 Hour Quick-Charge Lithium-Ion Batteries
Here is the user guide and here is a detailed training manual for this collar.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- High-quality nylon collar
- 3/4 mile rangeWaterproof receiver10 levels of stimulation
- Remote activated nightlightSplash-proof remote
- 2-hour quick-charge lithium-ion batteries
Cons:
- May be misused with high-intensity shocks to dogs
Educator E-Collar Humane Dog Training Collar.
Next on our list is an excellent model for small dogs with as little as 5 pounds in weight. Unlike our top choice, it is only designed to train one dog at a time.
Educator E-Collar is a humane dog training collar that delivers a tapping sensation similar to vibration, but more intense. Educator E-Collar utilizes an advanced microprocessor that provides user selectable stimulation levels from 1 to 100 with additional boost stimulus of 1-60. This allows the Educator E-Collar to be used for both long term and short term training by adjusting the intensity of the stimulation. The Educator E-collar comes standard with tone feature which is an effective addition to the stimulation in order to create a Pavlovian response from your dog.
Educator E-Collar’s Humane Dog Training Collars are designed to provide the most comfortable, effective, and humane training experience for both you and your dog. Our collars include 2 sets of contact points (5/8″ short hair and 3/4″ long hair), as well as hypoallergenic titanium points for dogs with nickel sensitivities and comfort pads for use more than 8 hours a day. We offer a two-year warranty on registered products against manufacturer defects with free live US phone support.
Product Description in paragraph form:
This one dog system with 1/2 mile range, small receiver for dogs 5 pounds and larger is a humane way to train your dog. The bright orange collar has a quick release buckle and the ergonomic “stopwatch” transmitter fits comfortably in your hand. This system includes our RX-090 mini receiver that is 2 inches long by 1.5 inches wide by 1 inch high weighing only 2.4 ounces! It will fit easily into your pocket or purse and is great for training discreetly when you don’t want your dog to know he is being trained. The waterproof receiver has a low battery indicator, is rechargeable and comes with a 2-hour quick charge lithium polymer battery.
Pros:
- Small receiver for dogs 5 pounds and larger
- 1/2 mile range
- Quick release buckleWaterproof receiver
- Low battery indicatorRechargeable
- 2-hour quick charge lithium polymer battery
Cons:
- Most ideal for small dogs only
- One dog system
- No shock function, only vibration and tone
Dogtra IQ Plus Remote Training Collar
The Dogtra IQ Plus Remote Training Collar is a revolutionary new e-collar that offers you the ability to train your dog from up to 400 yards away. The waterproof collar and remote are both water resistant, allowing you to train in any weather condition without worry of damage or malfunction.
The Dogtra IQ Plus features 100 levels of stimulation ranging from low to medium, Momentary Nick, Constant Stimulation, and Non-Stimulating Pager Vibration modes. In addition, the Dogtra IQ Plus has Expandable Stimulation Levels which allows you to add an additional dog to your training without having to purchase a new system.
The Dogtra IQ Plus Remote Training Collar is a great way to train your dog. This collar has the ability to adjust the sensitivity of the collar with ease, so you can find the perfect level of stimulation for your pet. If your dog is still not paying attention, select the Constant Stimulation mode to send a continuous stimulation for up to 12 seconds. The Pager Vibration allows you to send a non-stimulating vibration to get your dog’s attention.
Below are its features;
- 2 Modes: Shock and Buzz Modes Plus Beep Mode are Available
- 100 Levels of Shock
- 400 Yards range
- 2 Dog/Collar Support
- Minimal Remote Design
- Waterproof Collar, Weatherproof Remote
- Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Batteries
What the package includes:
Key features
The Dogtra IQ Plus+ Remote Training Collar is the perfect tool for training your dog. This bundle includes the Dogtra IQ Plus+ Remote Training Collar and the PetsTEK clicker, making it easy to get started with your training regimen. The Dogtra IQ Plus+ Remote Training Collar is ultra-compact and waterproof, designed to fit dogs with neck sizes between 6 – 24 inches. It has a 400 yard range and is suitable for all breeds with mild to medium temperaments.
This collar is designed to provide the best possible training experience, with unmatched quality and performance. Plus, Dogtra’s reliable USA-based customer service is always there to help with any questions or concerns you may have.
Pros:
- Waterproof collar and remote
- 400 yard range
- 100 levels of stimulation
- Expandable to 2 dogs
- Pager vibration
Cons:
- Best for mild to medium tempered dogs only
- May be too small for some dogs
SportDOG Brand YardTrainer Family Remote Trainers
The SportDOG YardTrainer® family of remote trainers provide two-way communication between you and your dog, allowing you to train with a tone, vibration or 8 levels of static stimulation. The waterproof YardTrainer 425 features DryTek® technology that allows it to be submersed up to 25 feet underwater. This e-collar is designed for dogs 8 pounds or larger with neck sizes 5″ – 22″. It has 100 yards range, 2 hour quick charge and low battery indicator.
Features:
- Three Training Modes: Shock, Tone and Vibrate
- 7 Levels of Shock
- 300 Yard Range
- Only Supports 1 Dog
- Minimal Remote Design
- Waterproof Remote and Receiver
- Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Batteries
Pros:
- Waterproof remote and receiver
- 300 yard range
- 7 levels of static stimulation
Cons:
- One dog system
Garmin Delta XC Bundle
Garmin Delta XC Bundle is the best dog training system that helps you train your dog while out in the field. It includes long and short contact points, collar, and stimulation levels. The Garmin Delta XC Bundle has improved stimulation levels with 18 levels of momentary and continuous stimulation plus tone and vibration to correct your dogs behavior. This product also features a 1/2 mile range capability to correct your dog’s behaviour while out in the field.
- Three training modes: Shock, Vibrate, and Tone
- 18 Levels of Stimulation
- 1/2 Mile Range
- Can Support Up to 3 Collars
- Waterproof Collar and Remote
- Minimal Remote Design with LCD
- Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Batteries
Garmin Delta XC Bundle is a 3-button handheld controller and dog device with a water rating of IPX7, making it rugged and compact. This system offers 3 correction/training configurations for different behavioral issues and can be used to train 1, 2 or 3 dogs (with purchase of additional dog devices).
Pros:
- Waterproof collar and remote
- 1/2 mile range
- 18 levels of static stimulation
- 3 correction/training configurations
Cons:
- Best for training dogs with behavioral issues such as biting
- Expensive
- Requires additional purchase for more than one dog
FAQs
Q: Will a shock collar hurt my puppy?
A: While most puppies will have no problem with a shock collar, it is always best to start with the lowest setting and work your way up as needed. At high intensity, they can cause skin burns and is very painful to your puppy. Make sure you are following the training manual in order to use it correctly.
Q: How do i train my puppy without shock collars to stop biting?
A: Biting is a natural behavior for puppies, but it can be redirected with proper training. Some tips include:
-Start with basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come and down.
-Use positive reinforcement such as treats or praise when your puppy follows the command correctly.
-Use toys as an alternative to biting.
-Redirect your puppy’s biting to a toy or chew bone.
-Ignore play biting and do not give attention when it happens.
Q: What is the best way to stop my dog from biting?
A: While there are many ways to stop a dog from biting, shock collars are often used as a last resort. If you are using a shock collar, it is important to start at the lowest setting and work your way up as needed. You should also consult a professional trainer before using a shock collar on your dog.
Q: Are there any other methods to stop my dog from biting?
A: There are many other methods to stop a dog from biting, but shock collars are often used as a last resort. Some other methods include:
-Using positive reinforcement such as treats or praise when your dog follows the command correctly.
-Use toys as an alternative to biting.
-Redirect your puppy’s biting to a toy or chew bone.
-Ignore play biting and do not give attention when it happens.
-Consult a professional trainer for help with behavior modification.
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Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com