How to stop a puppy from biting...well, everything

If you’ve spent time with puppies, you know they like to nibble on, well, everything. Toys, furniture, clothes, shoes – you name it, puppies will try to bite it. In fact, many puppies will even bite their favorite humans. The good news? This is perfectly normal Puppy 101 behavior. The less fun news? It’s important to quickly and expertly discourage the habit before tiny puppy nips become full-grown dog bites. From causes to prevention to intervention, here’s everything you need to know about how to stop a puppy from biting. Why does my puppy keep biting me? So, why are puppies so mouthy, anyway? It’s a simple question with an even simpler answer: biting things is fun and it feels good. Similar to human babies, puppies learn a lot about the world by tasting and gnawing everything they can get their little paws on. Additionally, like babies, they go through a teething period where chewing soothes their sore gums. That means hands, feet, clothes—nothing is off-limits. “Puppies are going to test-chew everything—at first, they’re exploring, then later, they’re teething,” says Sarah Hodgson , a certified professional dog trainer, behavior consultant, and bestselling author of numerous books on puppy rearing, including “Puppies for Dummies.” “Nipping is very common at this stage.” Puppies tend to nip more when they’re overly excited or have an unmet need, notes Hodgson. Similar to a crying baby, a nipping puppy may signal that it’s time to go for a walk , eat dinner, have a nap, use the bathroom , or play. Nipping and destructive chewing often improve when puppies are done teething. However, it’s important to remember that teething is a lengthy process for puppies. “Many people believe that puppy teething is only something that lasts the first few months of puppyhood,” says Lisa Mullinax , a Seattle-based Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. “However, puppies go through two teething phases: the first is between 3-6 weeks, and longest begins at 12 weeks and lasts until 24 weeks, as adult teeth emerge.” How to stop puppy biting fast Even though nips are normal, it’s important to discourage your puppy's biting behavior before it becomes aggressive, dangerous, or ingrained. (It's harder to stop adult dogs from biting.) There are a number of strategies, depending on your individual pup and the cause of the biting. Here are a few. Establish a routine Just like babies, puppies thrive on predictable routines. When routines break down, they can melt down. To avoid an overtired, hungry, thirsty, or bored puppy from nipping for your attention, be sure to establish (and stick to!) a daily routine, stresses Mullinax. By anticipating your pet’s needs, you can potentially avoid the unwanted behavior all together. Reward good behavior Rewarding good behavior is highly preferable to punishing unwanted behavior. Numerous studies have shown that positive reinforcement training methods are both more effective and better for dogs’ mental health. To encourage good habits, keep small training treats or bits of kibble on hand to reward positive interactions. If your puppy is calmly accepting pets with no mouthing, offer praise and a treat. If they are nipping and releasing, say “yes!” and toss the treat for them to retrieve. Redirect your puppy's biting behavior Chewing is a natural puppy behavior, and many pups can’t resist nibbling at hands. (After all, hands are super interesting, and they’re connected to you!) Your job as a pet parent isn’t necessarily to stop the biting, but to redirect it to something more appropriate. Stock up on plenty of fun-to-chew toys , and introduce them immediately whenever your pup gets nippy. “Create a comfort station in every room the puppy uses with chew toys, and invest in some bones that he’ll really like to chew,” advises Hodgson. Make sure the toys are appropriate for your puppy’s size and don’t include any small parts or choking hazards. To make toys extra alluring, try popping them in the freezer; cold objects can be soothing for sore gums. Remove yourself from the situation During playtime, puppies naturally nip at each other. If they bite too hard, their littermates or mother will inform them with a sharp “yelp!” to let them know they went too far. Known as “bite inhibition,” learning not to chomp on friends (both canine and human) is an important skill for a well-socialized pet. While some trainers recommend making a similar “yelp!” to discourage bites, others warn that yelping actually “rewards” the pup with a fun reaction from you. Instead, Mullinax recommends leaving the room—a reaction your puppy definitely doesn’t want to cause. “Calmly walk to the nearest gate or door, close it, and stay on the other side for 10 seconds or so,” she advises. When you return to the room, remain positive and avoid another nipping incident by working on a fun training skill, playing with a toy, or offering calm pets. Don’t let your puppy bite you during playtime You don’t want to get bit, of course. But your puppy's play style may be inadvertently encouraging nips, says Hodgson. Quick-moving hands are fun for puppies to chase—and to eventually catch in their teeth. “This style of confrontational play can make nipping and rough-housing worse,” she warns. Instead, move your hands slowly and smoothly while playing (basically, the opposite of a darting squirrel). And of course, never grab a chew toy or treat from a puppy’s mouth when they’re busy gnawing. Give your puppy plenty of exercise Puppies who are excessively mouthy may need more exercise , both physical and mental. For puppies, biting and chewing lead to attention and entertainment, so the key is to provide something more fun as an alternative. If you’ve tried the above methods and your puppy is still nipping, try heading outside for an interactive game of fetch, suggests Shelby Semel , a New York City-based trainer and canine behavior expert. “They can have their fun outdoors instead,” she says. Hire a trainer If you’re having trouble nipping the nipping in the bud, consider working with a professional trainer who has experience with young dogs. Training is a great way to improve your communication, strengthen your bond, and ensure that you’re setting your pet up for success. “You don’t want to encourage bad behavior without knowing,” says Semel. “The new puppy is your new housemate, so you want to make sure they have the proper socialization and behavior to adapt to their new life with you.” What about aggressive puppy biting? Does your puppy’s biting seem more purposeful than playful? Some puppies may engage in an aggressive behavior known as “resource guarding,” during which they growl, lunge, or even bite when you reach for their most prized possessions (usually food or toys). While a snarly puppy guarding a favorite stuffed animal might be funny, down the line, aggression can lead to serious consequences. In addition to causing injuries, dogs who bite risk being isolated, surrendered, and even euthanized. “Millions of people are bitten by dogs every year,” says Marissa Sunny, senior dog lifesaving specialist at Best Friends Animal Society . “The majority of these bites, if not all, are preventable.” Sunny offers the following tips for preventing and troubleshooting aggressive behavior: Puppy keeps biting? What not to do Biting can be frustrating and even painful. However, it’s important to remain calm and positive. Yelling might stop the behavior in the moment, but it won’t teach your puppy not to bite in the future. In fact, yelling can even lead to worse biting. “Yelling is a release for you, but it leads to more problems down the road,” says Hodgson. Similarly, you should never hit your puppy for biting—not even a “gentle” tap. Known as “aversive” training, methods that use leash jerks, shock collars , and other pain-inducing punishments have been proven ineffective and harmful. A study by researchers in Portugal found that dogs who underwent aversive training displayed significantly higher levels of stress-related behaviors than dogs trained using reward-based methods. Instead, commit to rewarding good behavior instead of punishing undesirable habits, and make sure the entire household is clear on the plan. “Read up on positive reinforcement training techniques and get your whole family involved,” says Sunny. “Make a game for the family of spotting and reinforcing desirable behavior in your dog.” The bottom line Puppy biting can, well, bite. But it doesn't mean your only option is to rehome your dog . A bit of patience, some clever tricks up your sleeve, time, and maybe a helping hand from a pro can turn your bitey buddy into a gentle companion. And if things get a little too nippy, good puppy insurance can help reimburse you for those unexpected accidents and illnesses. It's all about staying one step ahead in the playful, sometimes unpredictable world of raising a pup.

How to stop a puppy from biting...well, everything

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