Some Bloodhounds may be more prone to biting than others, but with proper training and socialization, any Bloodhound can be taught to not bite.
While play biting is normal for Bloodhound puppies, it should be discouraged as they grow older. There are several ways to stop your Bloodhound from biting, such as using commands and redirecting them to a chew toy. You can also try using a no-chew spray or supervising them during play.
There are many scenarios that may cause your Bloodhound to start biting. We explore these in detail and provide some helpful tips to minimize and avoid this bad behavior.
What causes Bloodhounds to Bite?
Dominance
Dominance-related aggression may occur when a Bloodhound perceives that it is not the leader of the pack or when it is confronted by a dominant dog. When this happens, the Bloodhound may try to assert its dominance by biting.
Fear Aggression
Fear-related aggression may be due to a lack of socialization, traumatic experiences, or being provoked. Classic signs include growling, baring of teeth, and snapping.
Maternal Aggression
Maternal aggression is exhibited by female Bloodhounds who have just given birth or are guarding their puppies. This can include biting people who come too close to the puppies. You should avoid going near the puppies until the mother has weaned them and is no longer aggressive.
Not Enough Exercise
Ensure plenty of exercise. If your Bloodhound isn’t getting daily exercise, it may become frustrated and may take out its aggression on people or other animals.
They have endless energy levels, so you need to ensure you give them plenty of opportunities to run and play outdoors.
Not Enough Mental Stimulation
Along with providing adequate exercise, Bloodhounds also need regular mental stimulation. As high-energy hounds, they need to burn pent-up mental and physical energy reserves.
Without this release, they may be prone to inappropriate and disruptive behaviors, including biting.
Mental stimulation can be achieved through a variety of games and challenges with your dog. This could include a simple obstacle course at home, or playing catch or hide and seek. You are only limited by your imagination!
Lack of Training
As a powerful giant breed, Bloodhounds require obedience training early on to prevent them from becoming overly excitable as adults.
Without training, Bloodhounds can become unmanageable, and their strong tracking instincts can cause them to bite if they’re not properly taught how to control their mouths.
“The best way to train a Bloodhound is through positive reinforcement methods such as clicker training, which rewards the dog for good behavior.”
Bloodhounds are also highly food-motivated, so using treats as a reward for obedience can be very effective.
It’s important to start training and socialization early with Bloodhounds, as they can be difficult to train once they reach adulthood. With patience and consistency, however, Bloodhounds can be great family pets.
Not Socialized
If a Bloodhound isn’t socialized enough, it may become fearful or aggressive around people or other animals. Make sure you introduce your Bloodhound to as many different people, animals, and environments as possible. This will result in both a happy dog and a happy owner!
An easy way to do this is to take your dog for walks in different areas and visit different parks, stores, and restaurants. You can also enroll your dog in a good obedience class where opportunities to mix with other dogs will become a regular event.
Mistreating or hitting your dog
Never hit your Bloodhound. This will only make the problem worse and may cause your dog to become aggressive out of fear. Hitting your bloodhound will also make it more likely to bite in the future.
Mistreating your Bloodhound is also not acceptable. This could include yelling at your dog, withholding food or water, or locking it in a room or crate for extended periods of time. All of these tactics will only make your Bloodhound more likely to bite.
Can Biting be due to Health Conditions?
There are a number of health concerns to be aware of that may cause your Bloodhound to become unsettled and engage in biting behavior.
Some of the more common ailments include:
Bacterial infections:
Bacterial infections are a common cause of health problems in bloodhounds.
The most common type of infection is pyoderma, which is a skin infection that can cause your dog to scratch and bite its skin incessantly.
Ear infections:
Bloodhounds are prone to ear infections due to their long, floppy ears.
Ear infections can cause a great deal of discomfort and may lead to your dog scratching and biting at their ears in an attempt to relieve the itchiness.
Allergies:
Like people, dogs can suffer from allergies that can make them uncomfortable and cause them to bite.
Food allergies are the most common type of allergy in dogs, but they can also be allergic to pollen, dust, and other environmental triggers.
Digestive problems:
Bloodhounds often have sensitive stomachs and can suffer from a variety of digestive issues that can cause pain and discomfort.
Problems such as gastroenteritis, constipation, and diarrhea can all lead to your dog biting at its tummy or bottom in an attempt to relieve the discomfort.
Dental disease:
Dental disease is another common health problem in bloodhounds.
Gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental problems can cause your dog a great deal of pain.
Yeast infections:
Yeast infections can occur in any area of your dog’s body, but they are commonly found in the ears, skin, and paws.
These infections can cause your dog to bite and scratch at the affected areas in an attempt to relieve the itchiness and discomfort.
Flea bites:
Fleas are a common problem for dogs, and their bites can be very irritating.
Bloodhounds are particularly prone to flea allergies, which can cause them to bite and scratch at their skin in an attempt to relieve the itchiness.
Anal gland problems:
Anal gland problems are another health concern that can lead to your bloodhound biting.
They are located near your dog’s anus and can become infected or impacted, causing a great deal of discomfort.
Your dog may bite at its rear end in an attempt to relieve the pain and itchiness associated with anal gland problems.
How do you Discipline a Biting Bloodhound?
If your Bloodhound does bite, you should discipline it immediately. One way to do this is to give your dog a loud verbal rebuke such as “NO BITE!” You can also physically remove your dog from the situation by picking it up and placing it in another room.
As with any type of discipline, you should be consistent so that your Bloodhound knows what is expected of it.
Should I yell at my Bloodhound for biting?
No, you should never yell at your dog for biting. Dogs bite for a variety of reasons, and yelling at them will only make the problem worse.
If your dog is biting out of aggression or fear, yelling will only make them more defensive and likely to bite again.
If your dog is biting because they’re teething, yelling will only make them more agitated and likely to bite harder. Yelling will also scare your dog and make them less likely to come to you when you need them.
Can a Bloodhound be Trained Not to Bite?
Yes, dogs can be trained not to bite. However, it takes time and patience to train a dog not to bite. You’ll need to be consistent with your training and reward your dog when they do something correctly.
You may also need to use a muzzle if your dog is aggressive or has a history of biting.
Puppies should be taught not to bite people, other animals, and objects. If your dog has already developed a biting habit, it will be more difficult to break.
You’ll need to be patient and consistent in your training in order to correct the behavior. The priority, therefore, is to start early.
Should I Ignore my Bloodhound if he Bites Me?
No, you should never ignore your dog if he bites you. If your Bloodhound is biting out of aggression or fear, ignoring them will only make the problem worse. If your dog is biting because they’re teething, ignoring them will only make them more agitated and likely to bite harder.
Ignoring your dog will also make them less likely to come to you when you need them. Instead, you should correct your dog when they bite and reward them when they don’t.
This will help teach them that biting is not acceptable behavior.
Is Play Biting Acceptable?
No, play biting is not acceptable behavior. Dogs should never bite people, even in play. If your dog is playing rough and bites you, stop the game and correct them. You may also want to consider using a muzzle if your dog is prone to biting during play.
As young puppies, play biting will occur at random times and is to be expected. However, as your puppy grows older and learns better bite inhibition, you should discourage this behavior.
Puppies that continue to bite people into adulthood may be more likely to bite others in the future.
How to Minimize Play Biting and Nipping?
React firmly to bites with a command
Call out commands such as “NO BITE!” and/or an immediate withdrawal of attention.
Once your puppy has stopped biting, immediately praise them with petting and treats.
If your puppy resumes play biting, repeat the sequence until he stops.
Be consistent in your commands and reactions, so your puppy knows what is expected of him.
Redirect your dog to a Chew Toy
If your Bloodhound is biting out of boredom or teething, offer them a chew toy to gnaw on instead. This will help keep them occupied and discourage them from biting you.
Make sure to cater to their energy level by providing plenty of appropriate chew toys for your dog. This will ensure they always have something to chew on.
The best type of chew toys are those that are durable and made specifically for dogs.
How can I Prevent my Bloodhound from Biting?
The best way to prevent your Bloodhound from biting is to be consistent with training. Make sure you correct your dog when they bite and reward them when they don’t. You may also want to consider using a muzzle if your dog is aggressive or has a history of biting.
Additionally, be sure to provide plenty of appropriate chew toys for your dog, so they always have something to occupy themselves with.
Finally, keep an eye on your dog’s behavior and body language, so you can catch any warning signs that they might bite. If you see any red flags, take action immediately.
Deter by using a no-chew spray
If you have a dog that likes to chew on everything, you may want to consider using a no-chew spray. These sprays are designed to deter dogs from chewing on things they’re not supposed to.
Be sure to read the directions carefully before using a no-chew spray, as some of them can be harmful if ingested.
Supervise your dog during playtime
If you have children, it’s important to supervise their interactions with your dog. Children often don’t know how to properly interact with dogs and may inadvertently provoke them into biting.
Additionally, always keep an eye on your dog when they’re around strangers. If your dog seems agitated or aggressive, remove them from the situation immediately.
Always supervise your dog during playtime and be aware of their body language. If you see any warning signs that they might bite, take action immediately.
Reward and praise good behavior
One of the best ways to discourage bad behavior is to reward good behavior. If your dog doesn’t bite, reward them with petting and treats. This will help them learn that biting is not acceptable.
Be sure to be consistent with your food rewards, so your dog knows what is expected of them. The timing of your rewards and treats is also important, so make sure to give them immediately after your dog exhibits good behavior.
Focus on positive reinforcement
One of the best ways to train your Bloodhound to stop biting is by using positive reinforcement. This means rewarding your dog for good behavior, rather than punishing them for bad behavior.
Other than praise and treats, positive reinforcement will help send the right messages to your dog regarding certain behaviors. The more positive reinforcement your dog receives, the better it’ll behave.
On the contrary, punishment-based training can often be ineffective and may even cause your dog to become aggressive. If you’re having trouble with your dog biting, consider using positive reinforcement instead of punishment.
Final thoughts
There are several things you can do to discourage your Bloodhound from biting. The most important thing is to be consistent with training and rewards. You may also want to try using a muzzle if your dog has a history of biting.
Additionally, be sure to provide plenty of appropriate chew toys for your dog, so they always have something to occupy themselves with.
Finally, keep an eye on your dog’s behavior and body language, so you can catch any warning signs that they might bite. If you see any red flags, take action immediately.
