Why Is My Dog Neck Biting During Play

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Why Is My Dog Neck Biting During Play“.

You can see your puppy playing running around and having fun with other dogs. Nonetheless they sometimes make disturbing noises and actions including biting their necks. Biting outside of eating is seen as an aggressive action by us humans. Is it something to be concerned about if you see your pup doing this during play? If so should you intervene? Are there any risks involved?

Neck biting in dogs has various meanings. Lets explore the root of this behavior.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

During the initial weeks of a puppys life it is guided by its mother and siblings as it makes its way into the world. When puppies are this age they learn how to use their mouth and teeth to survive and interact with their littermates other dogs and humans. This is one of the most important things that they learn.

Additionally unlike humans dogs cannot speak to express themselves. Therefore they explore their environment with their mouths. If they want to greet their owners or other dogs they will bark softly. If strangers approach they are likely to bark louder. During playtime they also use their mouths so they can find out about their strengths.

Dogs on the other hand also use their mouths to express their anger. However when they bite fiercely as opposed to softly it becomes dangerous.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some dogs were taught how to defend themselves and to attack animals that they consider to be their enemies such as rodents and cats. A dog bred for hunting was also trained to be more aggressive and they do this by biting the preys neck.

Dog Neck Biting

Dogs usually grab each others necks with their mouths when they are playing. They often bite each other. Pet owners should however know how to distinguish between a play session and a fight involving neck biting.

If your puppy is playing with his friends you can tell that hes having a great time. You can tell this by the way his body is relaxed. But if you observe signs of aggression and rough play such as loud barking or low growling you should stop them immediately to avoid any untoward incidents.

You may see mounting standing on your head staring hard or showing your teeth as signs of danger. It is essential that you observe the behavior of your dog and his friends.

Things to Do When Your Dog Is Showing Aggression Through Neck Biting

When you see your dog becoming more aggressive every time he plays with other dogs or if he continues to inhibit neck biting outside play it is time to take action. You can take the following steps:

Know the Cause      

The first thing you should do is find out whats causing your puppys aggression so you can take action. Is he acting aggressively towards other dogs because he feels threatened? Fear is the number one reason why dogs show signs of aggressiveness. It may be because the dog was not socialized properly had negative experiences with other dogs in the past or was abused by previous owners.

Aggression can also be triggered by resource guarding. If other dogs approach your puppys favorite toys food dish bowls or territory in general he may not be too pleased. It is important that you contact an expert right away if you think that your puppy is becoming unruly because of resource guarding. If not it might be more serious than you can imagine

Anxiety

 Theres a good chance that you just moved to a new place and your dog is not quite at ease. If thats the case he may show aggressive behavior. This is true when a new member of his litter or even in your home is born.

Aggressive behavior can also be a result of frustration. Your dog could take out his frustration on his playmates if he cannot get or do what he wants. This is what leads him to inhibit neck biting.

As well as social aggression and leash aggression illnesses can also cause neck biting. It will be much easier for you to choose the best preventative measures once you know the main cause

Contact Your Vet

If your dog exhibits unruly behavior by biting the neck of other dogs whenever he plays with them then consulting a veterinarian is the best course of action. You should be able to determine the cause of the behavior with the help of a vet and then you can take action. The proper treatment will be administered to your dog if it is ill. It is therefore important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Veterinarians can perform a physical examination in order to diagnose and treat an animal correctly. If your dog passes the examination and still shows signs of aggression you might as well ask your vet to refer you to someone who specializes in animal behavior.

See an Animal Behaviorist

The help of an animal behaviorist is also important if your pet is aggressively biting the necks of his playmates. Having your vet rule out an underlying health condition that is causing pain and making your puppy change his behavior when playing is the best course of action.

The behaviorist of a species that they are treating is an expert on the normal behavior of the species. Also they can recognize the possible reasons why a dogs behavior changes during play particularly when it bites its playmates neck hard enough to cause a fight or injury. Moreover this professional will be able to assist you in changing your dogs behavior. You can also ask them about what you can do to stop your dog from biting his neck excessively.

Use a Bite Muzzle

If your dog is undergoing treatment it is highly recommended that you avoid taking him to places where he can see other dogs. For the time being it would be a good idea to have him use a bite muzzle. This will allow him to play with other dogs in the future. However you should always observe him closely.

Do Not Punish Your Dog

Outside play neck biting should not be tolerated but it should not justify punishing your pet either. Too much punishment can aggravate the situation and lead to your dog becoming more aggressive.

You can identify the cause of your dogs behavior by following the steps we have outlined above. As well as your veterinarian and animal behaviorist you can get advice on what you can do to help your puppy.

What If Your Dog Got Bitten Hard on the Neck?

It is also possible that the behavior is exhibited by your dogs playmate. What would you do if it were so? What would happen if your puppy was bitten hard on the neck? The reason for this is that dogs can be unpredictable too no matter how observant you are.

If you experience a puppy bite to the neck the first thing you need to do is calm yourself down. Assess the injury and determine whether medical intervention is necessary. You can treat a tiny nick at home if it is just a small cut. Take your dog to the vet right away if it is severe and since we are talking about neck bites so proper treatment will be given as soon as possible.

In the event of accidents such as severe neck bites the first thing you need to do is remove your dog from the situation as soon as possible. You should then seek medical attention.

What are the treatment options? Depending on how serious the wound is. In the case of a really serious problem your dog may require surgery under anesthesia. But first a thorough evaluation will be conducted which may include x-rays and ultrasounds.

In addition to antibiotics other treatments for bites on the neck may also involve them. These treatments require a veterinarians prescription. You will also have to identify a comfortable option for your dog not to touch his wounds.

Conclusion

When dogs play they may bite each others necks. This is one way they have fun with each other. You should be observant too. As soon as you notice your dog or his playmate displaying signs of aggression you need to intervene.

The bottom line is that you need to distinguish between a fun play and a rough play. Furthermore you need to be able to identify the cause of aggressive behavior.

If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.

Why Is My Dog Neck Biting During Play? (Watch Video)