Bad boy: Biden’s 'nipping' dog Major to get professional help

Training comes after the young German Shepherd acted aggressively around others

US President Joe Biden's dog Major takes a walk on the South Lawn of the White House. Reuters

US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden’s dog Major will receive professional help to adjust to the White House after a pair of biting incidents last month.

Private training for the 3-year-old German Shepherd will be conducted “off-site” – not at the White House but in the Washington area, Michael LaRosa, a representative for Jill Biden, said Monday in an emailed statement. The training is expected to last a few weeks, he said.

"Major will undergo some additional training to help him adjust to life in the White House," Mr LaRosa said.

The Bidens also have a second German Shepherd, 12-year-old Champ, living at the White House.

But it is the younger canine who has been the source of angst since both dogs relocated to the White House in January from the Bidens’ home in Delaware.

The Bidens and White House communications staffers have asserted that the dogs need time to adjust to the busy atmosphere of their new home.

Mr Biden told ABC News in a March interview that "85 per cent of the people" on the White House grounds love Major, who he called "a sweet dog".

Last month, the White House confirmed that Major had nipped someone during a walk. Shortly before that incident, Major caused what the White House said was a minor injury to a Secret Service employee on March 8.

"Nipping is probably more accurate than biting," Mr LaRosa added on Monday.

Both dogs spent time back in Delaware after the first incident – the White House said it was because the first lady would be travelling for a few days – and the president had said Major was being trained.

On National Pet Day on Sunday, Jill Biden tweeted photos of both dogs captioned, “Love these two!”