Poodle nipping and biting is a very common issue for owners of these cute and curly dogs. The problem usually starts when the Poodle is a puppy, poodle owners see this cute, little puppy, and this biting problem that starts small continues to develop as they grow. That cute little puppy with bows in their hair is very cute. But that cute puppy grows into a larger dog with even bigger teeth that continues to bite indiscriminately.

What Causes Poodle Biting

Most people believe that poodles tend to bite more often than any other dog breed, with toy poodles biting even more often than other dogs. However, Poodles that have been well trained will in most circumstances not bite at all, with only a slightly higher occurrence rate than any other dogs. 

There is a simple reason for that slightly higher rate is related to their nature and breeding - a poodle has not been bred to do much of anything other than be a pet. And yet, poodles have been described as one of the smartest dog breeds around. But, when you combine intellect with a lack of any strong instincts, you will find that poodles can grow stubborn and unresponsive to basic commands if they are not properly controlled.

How to Stop Poodle Puppy Biting

Fortunately for their owner, since poodles are so smart, they can be highly trained and taught that biting is not acceptable behavior. To start with, you will need to ensure your Poodle is properly socialized as a puppy. If you are deciding that a poodle is the dog you are looking for, you will need to be sure your puppy is not removed from its mother and litter before 8 weeks of age - ensuring it is given the time it needs to learn not to bite and to control of its urge to show dominance. It's mother and brothers and sisters will help teach it that dominance is not an acceptable behavior.

After 8 weeks, the socialization should continue with your family and with other puppies. Go to bite aversion classes, puppy day cares, and make sure you are very calm and welcoming to the dog. Poodle puppies should never be scolded as they are not young enough to know better and early aggression on your part can actually create long term behavior problems. 

If you have a poodle puppy with a biting, you will need to control it from the start. Controlling it as a puppy will be a lot easier than once it grows up. When your puppy starts to bite, simply provide a toy whenever the puppy bites and make soft whimpering sounds to show the puppy that the bite hurt you. This is how other puppies would show the same behavior and will reinforce the idea that biting is not something it should do. Remember, your puppy is looking for your approval. 

How To Stop Poodle Biting in Older Dogs

If your Poodle is older and still likes to nip or even bite people, you need to begin a process of ensuring you have full control of your dog. To start with, your Poodle will need to see you as the alpha leader. Control feeding times, walking times, and your dog learn some basic commands. Do not back down from your dog and never waffle on your commands. In addition, avoid any games like wrestling, tug of war, or chasing that can result in biting. This will make the behavior into a game that grabs its attention and invites biting. 

If your Poodle shows aggressive behavior or fear and anxiety related issues, sign them up for an obedience class where they can socialize with other dogs and be forced, in a controlled setting to learn to address their aggression issues. 

If your Poodle Biting problem persists and grows more dangerous, you will need to consider hiring an expert or even visiting your vet to rule out any potential health related causes to their biting. 

Whatever you do, know that biting from your Poodle is not acceptable. Even with a toy poodle, it is a sign of greater behavior problems under the surface that need to be dealt with immediately.