Where’d this velociraptor come from? Help with puppy biting
It’s a good thing puppies are cute, isn’t it?
You take home an adorable fluffball full of potential and end up with a half-grown velociraptor whose love language appears to be “bite”. The good news is you’re not alone, puppy biting is very common! Most will grow out of it, but that doesn’t mean you have to be covered in bandages like you’re trying out for a new part in The Mummy.
Why do puppies bite?
Since dogs don’t have thumbs, they use their mouths to explore, carry things, and solve problems. Biting during play or while exploring is a normal dog behavior, and mothers start teaching their puppies how to be polite once they start exploring the world at around 4 weeks old. Puppies also learn from their littermates, since biting too hard means the fun stops. Some breeds are more bitey than others (Maligators, I’m looking at you), and not all mothers are good at teaching this skill to their puppies.
AI generated image of a 4- to 18-month-old Belgian Malinois
When my puppy hurts me
Pull your limbs back to your core and look away from them. I don’t like yelping: the reaction itself can be rewarding. Wait for your puppy to process what just happened. Most of the time, they’ll try to get our attention in a nicer way. Reward any nice behavior with play or attention. (This is how dogs re-negotiate play.) Did they double down? That means it’s time to settle in their crate, x-pen, or puppy-proofed area. If you’re concerned about getting bit when you pick up your puppy, call them over to their chill-out zone and toss a treat for them to chase. More reluctant puppies will usually follow a treat trail inside, which will keep you safe.
Once inside, give them an appropriate chew and let them simmer until their next potty break or until you can look at them without cussing. As tempting as it can be to punish a bite, you can accidentally create more fear (and more chances of getting bit). Try not to yell at them if you can.
For the vast majority of puppy biters, this will work wonders. I love this method because it not only clearly and kindly says that biting hard is not tolerated, but it also teaches them how to control those big feelings that are causing them to forget their manners in the first place. We need to show our puppies what we like, so “no” always needs a “yes”!
Next, let’s address the common issues that cause excessive biting.
Are they getting enough sleep?
Puppies need lots of it! Depending on their age (younger puppies need more), it could be as much as 16 hours or as few as 10.
Are they getting a walk?
Walking, especially a sniff walk, will let them explore safely, learn about your neighborhood, and tire them out. Sniff walks aren’t about the distance, but the experience. Set a 20-minute timer and follow your puppy!
Are they getting any mental stimulation?
(Spoonie dog training hack!) If you’re unable to go for a walk, try giving your puppy a puzzle, doing some training, or having them sniff and seek!
This will help to tire them out while giving them something enjoyable that’s easy on our body and brain..
Do they have appropriate chews?
Chews should be easy to find at all times to give your puppy plenty of things to sink their teeth into
The harder the chew, the more likely they are to cause long-term dental damage and broken teeth.
Sometimes, it’s not so simple. Bolt was an adorable Lab puppy with big eyes and a taste for blood. I listened to his Pet Parent tearfully tell me what was going on, showing her wounds on her hands, arms, and legs. He was a cutie pie, but Bolt was a menace! By the time Mama came to me, she was frightened of him (for good reason) and feeling guilty that she couldn’t control her out-of-control pup. I’m happy to report he’s better now and still with his family. We worked very hard on management and training while looking for triggers and helping to teach him alternate behaviors for those bad habits. I’m very proud of all the hard work Mama put in for her dog.
If you have your very own Bolt, there’s help. If the usual advice isn’t working, speak with a trainer (and maybe your vet– that made a huge difference for Bolt!) and we can help tailor a specific management and training plan for you.
You can have a good time raising your puppy and good memories as you look back on all those widdle baby pictures of them!.
