07/11/2023
Are you struggling with puppy bitting..
In order to stop puppy biting we have to understand WHY puppies bite! Most of the time, it is a completely normal behaviour. After all, young dogs do not have hands. Unlike us humans, they have to rely on their mouths to touch and explore their environment. However, puppy teeth are quite sharp, and can easily pierce skin or damage clothing.
WHY DO PUPPIES BITE?
1. TEETHING PAINS
Having your new puppy biting you and chewing on everything in their reach can be challenging. But mouthing and chewing on different objects is quite normal for infant canines. It is also necessary for the healthy development of their gums. Young dogs have to work their mouths a lot: This is required to expel the milk teeth, and make room for the adult teeth to take their place. Like human children, infant dogs experience discomfort and teething pains during this time of transition. And they actively seek to alleviate this pain by biting and chewing.
2. PENT UP ENERGY
Just like young children, young dogs are brimming with energy, and have an unstoppable zest for life. This is beautiful, and it contributes to the joy that puppies bring to our homes. But if they do not get the opportunity to release all this energy in constructive ways, they can channel them into less desirable avenues. Puppy biting and destructive chewing are two very common examples for this.
3. LACK OF SLEEP
Between 8 and 12 weeks of age, dogs require around 20 hours of sleep a day. During this time, you can literally watch your puppy get bigger over night. Indeed, most of their growth happens in their sleep. But puppies who live in busy households do not always get the rest they need: Instead, they get overly excited by everything that is going on in the home. Puppies love to be part of their ownersโ lives, and share in their activities wherever possible. And of course we want your new dogs to enjoy family life with us. Nevertheless, lack of sleep is not healthy, and can cause excessive puppy biting and chewing