31/08/2021
Puppy bites are a reality - often a painful reality. They aren't trying to hurt - this is how they play and control their territory. Often biting is part of their teething process. I always had a teething toy with me so when Tarni-Finn started nipping at me I could divert her to chewing the hard toy. When we are out, I always have hard treats in my pocket so when she meets someone I can give her a treat to stop nipping. Tarni-Finn is now 10 months old and her biting is resolving itself but we still have work to do. Like all annoying puppy behavior, biting gets better if you are persistent and patient.
THIS IS A PSA
Puppies bite. They bite a lot. They bite hard. Their teeth are sharp. You might bleed. It might seem relentless.
Scaring the pants off them by yelling, pinning, shoving or shouting will not only do precisely zero, it will potentially create a fearful adult dog.
Puppies bite more when;
They are tired
They are hungry
They are bored
They are overstimulated
They are teething
Read that again. They bite MORE when they are the above. They will also bite when they are absolutely fine. They are dogs not dolls.
Be compassionate not scary. They will grow out of it but only if you teach them a good alternative. Trade for toys. Use a pen or a crate. Teach calmness. Reward gentle interactions. Grit your own teeth and ride it out while reinforcing good stuff and proactively managing bad stuff.
Be proactive when you know biting happens like after some play, when excitement goes up, when they are overtired (7-9pm witching hour anyone?) and give them a good chew or help them settle, or channel that energy into some training.
It does get better basically. Don’t panic. Most puppy biting isn’t aggression. Be CONSISTENT and PROACTIVE and expect more than a few bites along the way.
Signed,
Aalto the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (aka the ginger shark)
