Why does my dog bite my feet?

Is fido biting your feet and ankles? Whether it is playful or aggressive, this annoying behavior is a call for attention. First, you need to find out why your dog is biting at your feet and then you can decide the best course of action.

 

My new puppy is biting at my feet when walking, why?

Puppies are like human toddlers in many ways: they are endearing, adorable, stubborn and playful. They also haven’t learned manners yet– if your pup is biting at your feet when you are walking, they are just choosing a bad time to try to play with you. Gently correct this behavior– never strike or scare your puppy, they won’t understand what is happening and lose trust in you. Instead, gently push them away and say a firm “no.” After a while they will figure out that playtime isn’t every time you are walking.

Why does my dog bite my feet when I get home?

Does your dog bite at your feet when you get home? Is this behavior accompanied with jumping, barking, and zoomies? The reason is likely that your dog is excited that you are home, and is exhibiting that behavior in undesirable ways. The way to adjust this behavior is to ignore your dog when you first come home– do not acknowledge them until they calm down. They want your attention, so they will learn to be calm to get it, and stop biting at you when you walk in the door.

Why does my dog bite my feet when I run?

When you run your feet move faster, and some dogs see this as a challenge to “catch” your feet. This is bad news for a lot of reasons– you could kick your dog or trip and hurt yourself. This behavior could also be your dog’s herding instinct kicking in. Certain dogs are bred to nip at livestock feet to guide them. To stop your dog from biting your feet when you run, either keep your dog away from where you exercise or carry a water spritzer bottle and spray your pup when he goes for your feet.

Why does my dog bite my feet when I leave the house?

If your dog is biting at your feet/pant leg when you leave the house, it is likely that they have separation anxiety. They are nervous about you leaving and do not know how to express it. Dogs communicate through biting/nipping, and it could be that your dog is expressing their anxiety and displeasure with you leaving.

Why does my dog bite my feet when excited?

Dogs communicate through sounds and body language. When your dog is excited they can do a lot of things, such as run around (zoomies), bark, jump, and bite at your feet. It’s all part of the same reaction– uncontrollable excitement!

Why does my dog bite my feet when I walk him?

If your dog is biting at your feet on walks, it could be a nervous reaction. Maybe they do not feel secure, or they are trying to stop you from moving them. Maybe they are just so excited to be walking that they get worked up. When you walk your dog make sure to use a well fitting harness and a non-retractable lead no longer than eight feet. This will allow you to keep a closer grip on your dog, and make them feel more secure.

Why does my dog bite my feet so much?

There are a few different reasons your dog could be biting at your feet. One is that your dog is acting out a herding instinct– certain dogs such as german shepherds, border collies etc have herding in their blood, and they will try to move you by nipping at your feet as they would with livestock. Your dog could also be trying to assert dominance over you, or biting your feet because they are bored.

Why does my dog attack my feet?

If your dog is using your feet like a chew toy, they are either challenging you or are just understimulated. If the bites at your feet feel aggressive (or hurt!) stop your dog at once to discourage the behavior, and consider seeking the help of a trainer. If your dog seems more excited and playful than aggressive, they are just understimulated, and could benefit from a better outlet for their energy such as playing fetch, going on an on-leash walk or playing with toys.

Why does my dog bite my feet at night?

You are just drifting off to sleep and then– ouch! Your dog bites your foot. What gives? If your dog is attacking your feet at night, it’s because the movement of your foot under the blankets looks like a small animal, and it triggers their prey instinct. For some dogs it’s more playful, but sometimes it really hurts! Either way, if your dog is biting your feet at night, then they have to be removed from bed as soon as they do it, every time. Eventually your dog will understand that biting feet gets them kicked out of bed.

How to stop my dog from biting my feet?

Tired of tripping over your dog? If fido’s foot-hunting is getting on your nerves, gently correct this behavior. Get a spray bottle with clean water and spritz your dog every time they try to bite your feet, while loudly and firmly saying “No!” Soon you won’t need the spritz bottle, you can just say no and your dog will get the idea and stop nipping.

What not to do when training a dog not to bite feet?

Dogs’ bad behavior can be frustrating, and it can be tempting to lose your temper. However, when training your dog to stop biting your feet, never scream angrily or strike your dog. Dogs do not understand behavior the same way we do– they will not understand why you are hurting them and scaring them, and will stop trusting you. Gentle deterrents (such as a spritz bottle) and positive reinforcement are not only kinder ways to treat your dog, but also more effective.

Puppy bites my feet aggressively?

Puppies learn their place in the “pack” by testing their boundaries, much the same way that children learn their place in the family. If your puppy is aggressively biting your feet, they are testing to see what will happen if they act up. Every time your puppy bites at your feet, gently correct this behavior by saying “no!” loudly and firmly, and taking the puppy into their kennel, or spritzing them with water. Never strike or scream at your puppy–these aggressive techniques do more harm than good, often leading to worse behavior.

Why does my dog growl at my feet?

If your dog growls at your feet, but doesn’t otherwise act aggressive, it could be that your dog is vision impaired. They cannot see your feet clearly and do not know what they are, and therefore are reacting aggressively by growling. If your dog shows other signs of blindness such as bumping into things, falling, and having reflective eyes, consider taking them to the vet.

Why does my dog attack my feet in bed?

If your dog attacks your feet while under the covers, it’s because they think you are playing! Also the moment of your feet may trigger their prey instinct. Either way, gently remove fido from the bed every time they bite at your feet. Soon they will associate biting at your feet with being kicked out of bed, and will stop doing it.

Dog bites visitors’ feet?

Dogs can exhibit weird behaviors around guests. They may feel threatened, or so overwhelmed that they become manic, biting at the visitors feet. Either way it’s bad behavior, and one you want to correct quickly– no one likes a dog biting at them when they walk through the door!

Why do dogs bite their legs and feet?

Dogs chew on their legs and feet for a variety of reasons, such as allergies, fleas, infection or separation anxiety. If you notice your dog biting at their legs and feet more often than normal, consider taking them to the vet. Especially if you notice your dog’s skin looks inflamed– dogs licking and chewing irritated skin can often worsen the problem.

 

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7422634/

https://www.houstontx.gov/barc/avoiding_dog_bites.html