How to Stop your Poodle from Biting: 10 Helpful Tips That Work

Poodles are one of the cutest dog breeds out there because of their curly hair and the style in which they are cut. But these attractive looking pooches also have a problem that requires addressing, and that is poodles have a penchant for biting.

While poodles may show an instinct to bite, the problem usually only gets worse when the poodle owner does not address the behavior and allows it to persist.

Some poodle owners may even go so far as to think that this biting behavior is just a characteristic of the poodle’s personality. That it is something your dog will outgrow when it becomes older and more refined.

The opposite is what happens, though. Because when such a problem is not addressed, it will continue to be a habit when the poodle is a larger dog that also has bigger teeth.

The Causes of Poodle Biting

Poodles do not really bite because they just feel like it – there are actually some reasons that prompt them to bite.

This biting problem of poodles is more pronounced in their breed compared to others. Toy poodles in particular have a higher propensity for biting than their counterparts.

But with proper poodle training, they can actually become some of the most well trained dog breeds in the world. Poodles will not bite if this is something they have learned not to do.

So, going back to the high rate of biting that is common in the nature of poodles. Because it is not a breed that is expected to do anything more than just be a cute pet, it can learn to be stubborn and be unresponsive to others.

They are actually quite smart, but if you combine that impressive intellect with strong instincts that are left untrained, you can be sure that poodles will not only be turning their noses up to you, but giving you a good bite as well to show that you cannot control them!

This video reveals the secret to having well-behaved toy poodles and how to train your new puppy to stop biting!

10 Pro Tips on How to Train a Poodle Not to Bite

1. Start them Young

Because poodles are smart dogs, they are also highly trainable and are capable of learning that biting is never a part of what is known as acceptable behavior.

Training a poodle to avoid biting will begin by giving the poodle many opportunities to socialize while it is still a puppy.

It is simpler to teach puppies than it is to train older dogs since they have not yet developed negative habits or poor behaviors of their own. It is possible, however, to teach obedience to a dog that is already an adult.

As a poodle dog owner, you also need to know that it is not good to take the poodle away from its mother earlier than eight weeks old.

The time it spends in the company of its mother is also a learning opportunity – one in which the poodle grows to have an early understanding that it is not right to bite and should control all of its urges to show that it is more dominant than other dogs or people.

2. Practice your Poodle to Socialize

Once the eight weeks it spends with its mother has passed, you can then work on socializing the poodle with other dogs and members of your family.

You can also consider signing up your poodle for a number of classes and play opportunities that will help teach it to become bite-averse and friendlier; puppy day care sessions are a good opportunity for that.

They may also be more likely to bite if they don’t get to play with other dogs on a regular basis. Biting is in every dog’s nature, as you can see.

In order to socialize, they bite each other, and they also attack each other if they feel threatened or if they are just protective of their owners.

As a result, starting socialization between the ages of three and twelve weeks is critical. When it comes to adopting new behaviors, poodles are in the best position since they don’t know any better.

If you wait much longer, it may be more difficult to socialize your dog.

As an owner, make it a point to show calmness when dealing with your poodle while at the same time showing it that you are welcoming to it.

There are many ways to prevent your poodle from biting. Among them:

• Enrolling in a puppy-training program
• Dog parks are a great place to spend time with your canine companions.
• Regularly taking your dog out for a walk in regions where you’re likely to see other dogs
• Exposing your dog to a variety of dog-related social situations
• Playing with your dog’s buddies

3. Do not Punish your Poodle

It is a no-no to scold poodle puppies for the sole reason that they are too young to actually know better.

At the same time, scolding a poodle pup will result in an early exposure to aggression on your part – something that it will eventually mimic as it deals with others, and will become the starting point for many behavioral problems that last in the long term.

There’s no arguing that a dog that bites is a nuisance. The bite itself isn’t without its share of discomfort, though.

When your dog bites you, it’s reasonable if you want to lash out at them. Regardless of how painful the bite is, resist the urge to smack your pet.

Biting becomes more frequent and severe when the dog is subjected to physical punishment. In the event that you’ve done all of the above and your dog is still biting, you may want to see your veterinarian or hire a trainer.

Getting advice from an expert is always preferable than getting it from a layperson. As a bonus, they’ll know precisely what they need to do to stop the bad conduct from happening again.

4. Buy your Poodle Some Chew Toys

It’s also a good idea to provide your poodle with a different option. Consider giving your dog something else to chew on if they’re continuously biting your fingers and toes at home.

Dogs benefit greatly from chew toys, particularly during the teething period when the dog’s aching gums are relieved.

If the poodle bites another dog – whether that dog is a puppy or a much bigger dog – put your foot down and send the message across: this is something that is not allowed.

If the poodle is showing signs of wanting to bite, give it a toy that it can bite instead of other dogs.

5. Train your Poodle Bite Inhibition

You can’t expect your poodle to quit biting right away. As a result, before you quit biting for good, you need to develop excellent habits for your Poodle. Teaching your dog to control biting force is one technique to keep them from doing so.

A poodle’s biting intensity may be controlled using a training technique known as “bite inhibition.” A widespread activity among dogs is for them to bite one another as a form of communication.

Puppies and their mothers are at risk of being bitten by the dog when they are playing. It is common for the mother or other dogs to howl if the bite is too strong.

The same may be done in the effort to teach biting inhibition. Try screaming or giving out a high-pitched “ouch” when the poodle bites too hard to show the dog that the bite was unpleasant.

You should be aware, however, that this may agitate some pups and exacerbate the biting.

Consider other options if this strategy doesn’t work out for you. Dog trainers may also be hired if you’re not confident enough to teach bite inhibition on your own.

Although toy poodle bite force is not that strong compared to Pitbull and other breeds with lockjaws, you should still train your poodle to be disciplined all the time to avoid possible problems.

6. Reinforce Positive Behavior

If it bites you, make a soft but clear whimpering sound so it knows that you were hurt by what it did. This smart dog will take its cue and, given that you are its loving owner, will strive not to bite you again.

At the same time, this is how the poodle also shows being hurt when it is on the receiving end of pain.

When you’re teaching your poodle to quit biting, it’s important to encourage the behaviors you want them to acquire.

Give your dog a reward and say something kind to him, such as “good dog,” whenever he seems comfortable and peaceful.

If you do this, your dog will learn that excellent conduct is rewarded with food, which may lead to more frequent displays of positive behavior.

It will also help your dog distinguish between good and negative actions since it won’t get a reward for the bad ones. A better chance of success and an end to your poodle’s biting will be provided by this method once again.

7. Learn Everything your Poodle’s Needs

Playing along with your poodle’s tendency of biting makes it difficult to stop them. If you’re playing with your dog and he bites you and you don’t react, he won’t think biting is a terrible thing.

Your dog is more likely to persist with this unhealthy behavior as a consequence.

When you include repercussions, the dynamic changes. Let’s use the same illustration again. If your poodle bites while you’re playing, you may put your dog in his or her box and call it a day.

The more often this occurs, the more your poodle will associate biting with items they like being deprived of.

Playtime, cookies, or any other reward you take from your poodle when they bite is more likely to cause them to quit their negative behavior.

“Negative reinforcement” is the name given to this technique. It is important, however, that you do not go beyond in terms of punishment.

Don’t shout or slap the dog when it bites since they don’t know any other way to behave themselves. It’s your responsibility to help them learn to tell the difference between what’s wrong and what’s right.

8. Train your Poodle with Leash

Poodles don’t only bite while they’re having fun. During walks, they’re known to bite or jump on you and your shoes. If this is a recurring problem, try dangling a tasty reward from your feet while walking the poodle.

Using this method, your poodle will be more interested in the reward and less likely to jump on you. This strategy is especially helpful when you’re teaching your dog appropriate leash manners.

When using this strategy, you must exercise caution when providing rewards to avoid reinforcing bad conduct.

For example, it is advisable not to use the reward shortly after the dog has leaped on your feet. If you do this, your dog is likely to associate the act of pouncing on your feet with a reward and continuing doing it.

The ideal strategy is to dangle a reward at the beginning of your stroll in order to teach your dog the proper stance and not to promote any specific activity.

9. Keep your Poodle Relax and Comfortable

When a dog is nervous, fatigued, or worried, it may attack. If your dog is acting irritable, having tantrums, or biting, it’s likely that he or she is overtired or stressed. Allowing the dog time to relax and cool down is the greatest remedy.

Taking the dog to their box and giving them some alone time is one option. When they’re not in their crate, dogs tend to calm down and stop biting more when there’s nothing to aggravate them further.

Dogs, on the other hand, must not associate their crates with penalties. You may avoid this by having them cool down in a new location each time.

10. Establish yourself as the Master

In order to stop your poodle from biting you, you’ll need to establish your dominance. The only way to avoid poodle attacks and biting is to not let them have their way. Structure is essential for a well-behaved dog.

Ensure that the dog understands that you will take them for a walk, play with them, or feed them at the appropriate time, rather than whenever they want. Your poodle will be more likely to learn and follow simple instructions if you do so first.

A dog that is obedient to its master is more likely to break this negative behavior than a dog that does not respect its master. As a result, from the time your poodles are pups, work on instilling the idea that you are the one in charge of the household.

Waiting any longer will just make it more difficult to maintain the new habits in the long run. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, as the saying goes.

Poodle Biting When Your Dog is Much Older

There are also some older poodle dogs that still demonstrate a desire to bite or just nip other people and dogs. When this happens, you need to address the problem with firmness.

Your first move should be to show the poodle that you are the pack’s alpha – the leader of the household. To show that you are the leader, take control of the dog’s feeding times and walking schedule.

Do not let it dictate when it wants to eat or play. Spend time teaching it some basic commands, and persist until it grudgingly shows that it can obey.

You also need to avoid playing physical games like tug of war, wrestling, and chasing. This is because these games can result in the poodle biting you in an attempt to establish its dominance.

If the poodle is anxious and starts biting as a result, you can probably enroll it in obedience classes so they can socialize with other furry friends and have a way to address their aggression problems in a highly controlled environment.

If the biting problem in your poodle persists, more drastic measures in the form of a dog expert may be necessary. You can also think about visiting your vet just to rule out any possible health concerns that may be a cause of its biting.

Teaching your poodle not to bite and addressing aggression issues may sometimes be a challenge to a dog owner. But if you persist at it you will revel in how obedient and well-behaved a poodle can actually be.

Frequently Asked Questions on Poodle Biting

When do Poodles stop biting?

Poodles will not stop biting unless you train them not to bite. That is why it is important to train them from a young age to avoid biting problems, especially at adult age.

Do miniature poodles bite?

Miniature and toy poodles bite because it is a defensive instinct of a dog. They also bite when they are playing or are just bored for not having any activities.

Expect that you would experience seeing your toy poodle growling and biting other dogs or people if you will not train it not to bite.

Are miniature poodles aggressive?

Fear-based aggressiveness is more common in toy and miniature Poodles. As a result of their tiny size, they are especially vulnerable to abuse from youngsters.

It is harder to socialize an adult Poodle with fear issues, but a good dog trainer may assist you in the process.

Why do poodles bite?

Then why do poodles lash out? Inexperienced dog owners may mistakenly believe their dog is acting hostile for no apparent cause, leading to unwarranted retaliation. Please don’t do it. Punishment has a high risk of making the problem worse.

Dogs bite for a variety of reasons:

• Teething of Dog

This stage of teething might cause your poodle to begin biting and nibbling on objects. To keep his bite strength in check, your dog does this. In the absence of chew toys, he may take to biting on whatever is available, even your fingers!

• Aggression or a Desire for Attention

It’s also conceivable that your dog is biting as a form of hostility or as a tactic to grab your attention in order to get you to satisfy his requirements. It’s typical for dogs to bite when they feel neglected.

In addition, biting is a way for the dog to get to know other dogs and participate in their social circles. When the poodle’s natural instinct to bite is triggered, they will bite you if there are no other dogs around.

• Dog’s Defensive Instinct

Dogs have a built-in instinct to bite in self-defense. If the pup feels threatened in any way, he may bite to defend himself.

This may also happen when other pups or adult dogs intrude on his domain. Biting is a way for them to protect their territory in this situation.

Are poodles stubborn?

Poodles that haven’t been properly trained may also be prone to biting. Poodles are often used as a fashion item by their owners. Playful pets that curl up on the couch and snuggle up with their owners are what they’re all about.

Due to their obstinate and unresponsive nature, poodles might be more difficult to train. As a result of their high intelligence, poodles have a tendency to bite people who are in positions of power.

The combination of insufficient exercise and inadequate training can lead to anxiety, which in turn can lead to a dog’s tendency to bite.

Final Thoughts

A poodle’s tendency to bite is common, particularly in the early stages of its life. Your dog is teething and will seek for anything to chew on to alleviate their discomfort.

Your poodle may possibly be biting out of hostility, in an attempt to get your attention, or as a result of the dog’s natural instincts to protect its owner.

As a result, the best strategy is to figure out what’s causing it and then devise a workable solution. Stop your poodle from biting by following the advice in this article.

Consider hiring a behavioral expert or trained trainer if you’ve tried all the DIY techniques and nothing works. You’ll have a better chance of success if you enlist the help of an expert.

Do you have some unique and effective way to train your poodle biting other people or dogs? We would love to hear from you! Share it with us by commenting down below!