Article about Puppy Biting

Tips to Prevent Puppy Biting

Puppies naturally explore the world with their mouths. The tastes and textures of objects in their environment help them to learn about their world. They spend several months shedding their baby teeth and growing in their adult teeth. This stimulates them to chew and, thus, it is normal for them to chew. However, what puppies must learn is those things that are appropriate for them to chew on and those things that aren't.

The most important learning period for puppies occurs between the ages of 4 and 16 weeks. From birth to about 8 weeks, a puppy is mostly learning from his mother and littermates. The pup should also have generous amounts of gentle human handling during this time as this will help to prepare him for his new home.

A new puppy should not have free rein of the house at first. This is too confusing for him. Keep him mostly in a smaller, easily cleaned room such as a kitchen. Give him acceptable chew toys such as Kong toys, rawhides and nylabones. Do not give him discarded shoes or clothing. He can't differentiate between old and new clothing. Never strike or yell at your pup during this time because you will only frighten and confuse him and may create unwanted aggression.

Your puppy will need chew toys that outlast his teeth and others that he can really get his teeth into. Add some squeaky toys, balls, tug-o-ropes, and whatever else you think your pup will enjoy that won't hurt him.

If your puppy chews on you or your clothing, make a loud noise, such as 'no', to get his attention, then remove whatever it is that he's chewing on. Promptly replace it with an appropriate toy for him to chew on and reward him when he does.

Although often thought to be a teething behavior, nipping, mouthing and biting in young dogs is generally a form of social play. Teething is more likely to involve gnawing or chewing on household objects. The first thing you must do is to provide your puppy with ample opportunity for play without biting. Social play with people could involve chase and retrieve games, as well as long walks or jogging. Although wrestling and tug of war games can be fun, they may lead to play that is too rough or rambunctious. Puppies need to learn bite inhibition. This is something they start to learn while with they are littermates. It is one reason that puppies should not go to new homes until 7 - 8 weeks and they have had time to practice social skills with other dogs. It can therefore be extremely beneficial for the puppy to have regular interactive social play periods with other dogs or puppies in the home or in the neighborhood.

There are many reasons why dogs gradually or sometimes suddenly become aggressive. It is always frustrating and sad because it usually means the demise of the dog. A dog that is repeatedly biting, leaving bite marks or drawing blood, must, for the safety of others, be confined, muzzled, or sometimes even put down.

One cause of aggressive biting is pain. For example, a dog may bite if touched where there is a growing tumor. He may bite if he has a severe case of indigestion or a bladder blockage. If you suspect pain as the cause, see your veterinarian immediately.

There are at least two normal causes of aggressive biting. One is maternal protection of pups by the mom, and another is interfemale or intermale rivalry. Here, the best advice is to properly socialize your dog at a very early age to people as well as to other dogs. Sometimes hormonal medication will effectively treat the aggression in these dogs.

Provide your dog with adequate play, attention and exercise, and you can turn the training to bite inhibition. One of the things that puppies need to learn is the amount of pressure from their jaws that causes pain. Without this feedback, a puppy does not learn to inhibit the force of his bite. Because all dogs can and will bite at some time, this lesson is vital for human safety.

Remember that play biting is a component of play behavior in puppies. Play is a form of social interaction. Realize that your puppy is trying to play with you even though the behavior is rough. To ensure that you are in control, be certain that each play session is initiated by you and not the puppy and that you can end each session whenever you choose. One effective strategy when the play gets too rough is to immediately end the play session and leave. Social withdrawal can be a very powerful tool. Leave the puppy alone long enough to calm down. If, upon your return, the wild playing begins again, leave again. Although it is tempting to pick the puppy up and take him out of the room, this interaction may be interpreted by your puppy as additional play and the biting may continue as you carry the puppy to a confinement location.

Back to Dog Behavior Articles