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Puppy Biting

"It will pass. It's only a phase."

Does that help? No? Let's dig into this together!

Why???

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Why do puppies bite? Think about it this way. Puppies don't have hands. An infant grabs your finger with its tiny hand. Puppies use their mouth! The problem is that that little mouth is full of tiny, needle-sharp teeth. Ouch!

When will it stop?

Once puppy has their adult teeth, the impulse to bite will subside (especially if you start managing that biting instinct early!). Until then, humans have to endure the teething stage. Starting at as early as 12 weeks, puppy will begin to lose their tiny teeth. This process is complete by around 6 months. You may see a tooth on the floor, but more often, puppies just swallow the lost teeth. You may also see a little blood when a tooth falls out. This is normal. During the teething stage, puppies may get even more mouthy, but hopefully you'll understand why!

But it hurts!

Oh, we get it! Children and older folks especially may bear the marks of those tiny puppy teeth. With any dog biting, there are levels of intensity. So, how hard is puppy biting, and how often? These are things to keep track of, and you can download Susan Garrett's "Acquired Bite Inhibition Journal" to learn more. (Scroll to the bottom of the page for the link.)

What Can i DO?

There's quite a bit you can do to alleviate puppy biting. We never advise correcting or punishing puppy.

 

Try to redirect puppy's interest in biting and gnawing. Give them a toy to chew on or a safe teething tool, such as a Kong-sicle (a stuffed, frozen Kong toy). Supervise any questionable toys. Kongs are usually safe to leave with an unsupervised puppy.

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Puppies often are more mouthy when they are tired. If puppy turns into a toothy demon, take it as a sign that they are tired and/or over-stimulated. Put them down for a nap in their crate.

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Bored puppies will also bite. If you're certain puppy is well rested, play a game. Have you taught puppy "tug" yet? Or how about a pattern game? If weather is good and you have the space, go outside for a romp. Play a game of "chase me"!

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Teaching give/drop can also help. This way, puppy learns to take something in their mouth and then let it go.

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Here are a couple of easy games you can teach puppy that will help with impulse control:

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  • Tug -- Yes, it's very okay to play tug with puppy, but learn the RIGHT way!

  • Give/Drop -- There are two main ways to teach this important skill:  train with toys only or train with treats.

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