OUCH! How do I get my puppy to stop biting me? (Photo: puppy biting man’s hand)
The honeymoon phase is short. Your sweet and cuddly puppy has now earned the nickname GREMLIN. She gets a crazy look in her eye and just won’t stop biting you. What’s going on?
Puppies learn about the world with their mouths. They don’t have thumbs, so they don’t pick things up with their paws to examine them the way primates do. When puppies play with their littermates, they use their mouths to wrestle. The puppies give each other feedback about the bites. If it’s too much, they yelp or end the game.
As humans who have brought a puppy in to live in our human world, we often learn the hard way how much puppy teeth hurt. We get scrapes and bites on out hands and feet, and holes in our sweaters.
Here are a few tips to help you ride the bite wave (because it does get better, I promise.)
Owning a puppy requires patience and a desire to teach them how to live in the human world (Photo: person holding three sleeping puppies)
PATIENCE — Puppies teach us how to be patient. It’s a great gift. Stay calm while your puppy is in bite-mode. If you become more exciting by yelping a lot and moving around, you will keep the game going. Be boring.
REDIRECT — Provide alternatives to chew on. Today, her favourite rubber bone isn’t popular, so try a plush toy instead.
Today is a frisbee day. Later today, your puppy may prefer a frozen chew toy, a rope toy, or plush toy. Switch things up frequently. (Photo: Australian Shepherd catches a flying frisbee)
TIRED PUPPY — Puppies usually get really bitey when they are tired. This may be a great time to do a quick crate training session, and watch your puppy nod off to sleep.
TEETHING — Some companies make chew toys that are designed for the freezer. Some are flavoured and even change colour. These cold toys provide comfort to your teething puppy.
Try Nylabone’s Chill and Chew Freezer Dog Bone Treat Toys. The textured ridges make them versatile and satisfy your puppy’s need to chew.
You can also try freezing a wet face cloth (rolled up.) Your puppy will love to chew on this too. Variety is everything during this stage.
Bottom line: Don’t take puppy-biting personally and don’t get angry. Getting frustrated only makes things worse, because puppies are used to following CALM energy (their mom was CALM and she had RULES too.)
Becoming a more patient person is a great gift. It is truly amazing what dogs can teach US!!!
Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders.
Alyssa
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Photos by: Daniel Lincoln @danny_lincoln (puppy biting man’s hand,) Anna Dudkova
@annadudkova (person holding three sleeping puppies,) Wolfgang Hasselmann
@wolfgang_hasselmann (Australian Shepherd catches a flying frisbee.)