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Can you teach a dog to play less rough?

Macey Hagenes
Macey Hagenes
2025-05-22 22:08:52
Count answers: 3
It is helpful if your dog knows basic commands, as this will make it easier to intervene if dog play becomes too rough. ‘Leave’, ‘sit’ and ‘down’ are all useful cues for your dog to learn. Training your dog is an integral part of dog ownership and all dogs need to learn good manners when around people and other dogs. Always make sure training is positive. If play turns too rough, dogs can become mildly stressed. Therefore, it is a good idea to separate the dogs for a short while so that tension levels can drop. Neutering is an option if you find you have an excessively boisterous male dog, as this may help to calm things down. If you feel you might be dealing with a more serious behaviour issue involving frequent, or sudden aggression during social play, it would be wise to consult your vet.
Makenna Thiel
Makenna Thiel
2025-05-22 19:00:54
Count answers: 3
You must also teach your puppy to be gentle with hands, and that nipping results in unpleasant consequences for her. Teach your puppy that nipping turns off any attention and social interaction with you. After a nip, look your puppy right in the eye, and yell, “Ouch!” as though you’ve been mortally wounded, then ignore her. Nipping and mouthing hands can also be discouraged by loosely holding your puppy’s lower jaw between your thumb and forefinger after she’s taken your hand in her mouth. Don’t hurt her by squeezing too hard, just gently hang on so that wherever her mouth goes, your hand hangs on. A third alternative is to wear cotton gloves coated with a substance with an unpleasant taste such as Bitter Apple. Remember that any of these three methods will probably not be effective unless you work hard to teach your puppy the right behavior by offering her an acceptable chew toy.