Is your puppy using you as a chew toy? (Photo: black and tan puppy chewing a blade of grass with a fantastic snarl on his face)
Puppy teeth are sharp.
Puppies bite fingers, arms, noses, and feet. And it HURTS!
One of the biggest mistakes I see new puppy owners making is keeping their puppy awake for two or three hours at a time. It’s too long. Puppies need a lot of sleep and they get extra mouthy when they are tired. You may notice that you’ve become a chew toy (OUCH!) or that your puppy is chewing up mulch, sticks, and leaves like they’ll never have the chance again. These are signs that your puppy needs a nap.
If you aren’t training them, playing with them, or actively engaging with them, they should be sleeping in their crate.
At 16 weeks of age, Braxton had never calmed down or napped in his crate - he SCREAMED! He was on medication that wasn’t helping. I’m so happy his owner found me :) (Photo: Braxton, a brindle bulldog puppy, asleep in his crate for the first time)
Another big mistake new puppy owners make is hanging out on the couch with their puppy all morning long. This teaches your puppy that they should ALWAYS be touching you. This is how to CREATE separation anxiety. Believe me, you don’t want it. And your puppy certainly doesn’t want to feel that stress either. Prevent it now, while you have the chance. Use your crate for short, positive, fun sessions. Teach your puppy that going in there for naps is no big deal, and that if you leave, you’ll always come back.
Thank me six months from now when you’re out doing groceries and you’re NOT worried about your puppy. She’s home in her crate napping, and you’re out and about getting things done.
I get calls all the time about puppies who are “coming at me” and “biting nonstop.” These people have puncture wounds all over their hands, bite marks on their feet, and bruises on their arms and legs.
Some of them share with me: “I’m actually SCARED of my puppy.”
Most of them have tried redirecting with toys, but that is only one tool you should have in your toolbox.
Redirecting with toys only takes you so far (Photo: black and white terrier puppy biting a yellow toy pig)
During our in-home puppy sessions, we will teach you many strategies to prevent you from becoming a chew toy.
Schedule your free call today and find out if we’re the right fit for each other.
Until then, get up and get moving. Engage with your puppy. Provide them with learning opportunities (teach them to LOVE their crate, how to be CALM around food, how to walk nicely on a leash.)
Provide DIRECTION. By leading the way and not sitting back, you’ll be in control of what activity is happening next. When your puppy dictates YOUR movements, you’ll end up with a demand-barker who controls you with their mouth. As your puppy grows into a dog, barks get louder and teeth get bigger. Decide who you want to live with: a well-behaved dog who is a joy to be around, or a holy terror who herds your children, steals food off your counter, and barks at everyone who walks by your house. The decision is yours to make.
Living with dogs should be a joy.
Living with dogs should be a joy (Photo: Magic, the author’s Rottweiler swims toward shore holding her favourite ball. She is wearing a red life jacket.)
Happy training!
Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders!
Alyssa
Photos by: Daniel Lincoln @danny_lincoln (black and tan puppy chewing a blade of grass with a fantastic snarl on his face,) Alyssa Foulkes (Braxton, a brindle bulldog puppy, asleep in his crate for the first time,) Justin Veenema @justinveenema (black and white terrier puppy biting a yellow toy pig,) Alyssa Foulkes (Magic, the author’s Rottweiler swims toward shore holding her favourite ball. She is wearing a red life jacket.)