Tips to stop puppy biting or chewing
It’s common for puppies to bite, chew and mouth people’s hands, limbs and clothing during play. Puppies also like to explore the world with their mouth and chewing can help relieve some discomfort during teething. This can unfortunately result in chewing some of your personal belongings.
From the very first day your puppy should be discouraged from chewing your personal items and they need to learn that biting people and other pets is not allowed.
We have some tips to help train your puppy to stop biting and chewing.
Why do puppies bite?
When puppies play, they often bite, chew and mouth people’s hands, limbs and clothing. This is normal and generally a form of social play. It’s how puppies play with each other. Whilst this may seem cute when they are a puppy, the novelty wears off as they start to grow. So, it’s important to teach them that biting people and other pets is not allowed.
Why do puppies chew?
Puppies explore the world by putting objects in their mouths and just like human babies, they teethe for about six months, which can cause some discomfort. Puppies tend to chew a lot during their teething phase, when their baby teeth are replaced with adult teeth. This starts at about 12 weeks of age and usually ends by six months of age. Chewing not only facilitates teething but can also help relieve some of the discomfort.
Tips to stop puppy biting
End play when puppy bites
Avoid playing rough with your puppy. If at any time during general play they bite hard, end playtime to teach them that they don’t receive any attention for undesired behaviours. Simply get up and walk away. Usually, puppies bite as they want to continue playing and are having fun with you. Ending playtime lets them know that biting isn’t part of having a good time.
Offer a chew toy
Choose a good quality chew toy to redirect this unwanted behaviour until your puppy matures. During play if they bite, you can trade a toy for your hand or clothing to redirect their undesired behaviour towards something more acceptable.
Yelp when it hurts
To teach your puppy to play gently, pretend you are in pain when they bite you, by giving a high-pitched yelp (like other puppies would do). They should instantly stop. If so, praise them. Continue doing this each time they bite and they will learn to play gently.
Offer them exercise
Engaging in daily age and breed appropriate exercise and playtime helps prevent your puppy from getting bored. It also helps to burn off some of that endless energy!
Enrol in puppy class
Attending puppy school is great way to teach your puppy basic obedience & socialisation skills. In class they will not only learn basic commands such as sit, stay and come but they will also learn how to interact with other puppies of different breeds, sizes and sexes. During this controlled environment they can learn through interaction what is appropriate and inappropriate play behaviour.
Use positive reinforcement
It’s important to keep it positive. Positive reinforcement such as small treats, praise, playtime or a pat has proven to be vastly more effective than punishment.
Tips to stop puppy chewing
Keep belongings out of reach
Keep your belongings out of reach. This includes shoes, children’s toys (especially toys that contain batteries or small parts puppy can choke on), clothing (especially socks and underwear), plastic bags, garbage bins, medicine and plants.
Don’t allow your puppy into the bathroom or laundry unsupervised as there are many hazardous items they can get into such as cleaning products and medicines.
Store all valuable items such as jewellery, purses and wallets in a safe place such as a closed cupboard or draw.
Offer puppy toys
Young pets are naturally very playful which can sometimes lead to misbehaviour. Ensure you puppy has appropriate toys to play with to act as a diversion and keep them stimulated.
Don’t give your puppy and old shoe or sock to chew on as this can make it difficult for them to distinguish between what is a toy and personal belongings that are off limits.
Choose toys that have been designed with your puppies safety in mind. Many plush toys have pieces that can be chewed off or easily fall apart which can become a choking hazard. Squeaker toys can often be chewed open and the squeaker swallowed, which will require an emergency visit to the vet.
Always replace toys once they begin to fall apart or reach a size where they can be swallowed.
Supervise your puppy
Always keep an eye on your puppy to protect them from their natural curiosity and desire to put everything in their mouth and potentially chew on it.
Offer them exercise
Engaging in daily age and breed appropriate exercise and playtime helps prevent your puppy from getting bored. It also helps to burn off some of that endless energy!
Use a bitter spray
Arm yourself with some anti-chew spray. The bitter taste will help deter your puppy’s chewing away from your personal belongings that they have become attached to.
Use positive reinforcement
It’s important to keep it positive. Positive reinforcement such as small treats, praise, playtime or a pat has proven to be vastly more effective than punishment.
It is normal for puppies to bite during play and chew on items as they explore the world around them. From the very first day it’s important to teach your puppy not to chew your personal items and learn that biting people and other pets is not allowed. If you have any questions about your new puppy or their obedience call us on 03 8784 4444.