Puppy Biting Tips

Have you recently adopted a puppy? Congratulations! There are few things that can bring as much joy and laughter into our lives as a new pet. Fido will always be charming, but he’s almost impossibly adorable at this special stage of his life. However, that cuteness does come with a price. You’re going to have a lot of pet parenting to do during that toddler phase, in order to help your pooch grow into a polite, friendly adult dog. One thing you’ll need to address is biting. A local vet offers a few helpful tips on this below.

 Offer Suitable Chews

A big part of the reason that puppies bite is that it helps them cope with the pain of teething. Make sure little Fido always has lots of suitable chew toys. Look for durable playthings that will hold up to lots of abuse. Kong toys are good for this.

Be Consistent

Consistency is always very important when training dogs. Your canine pal won’t know the difference between similar objects. Don’t give him an old pair of sneakers, and then expect him to leave your brand new ones alone. Also, if you need to tell Fido not to chew or bite something, use the same vocal commands each time.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Never yell at or punish your furry buddy for misbehaving, even if he did just eat your favorite shoes. This may only make him scared of you! If your puppy does something wrong, just say ‘No’ in a firm, disapproving tone. Then ignore him for a while. A time-out may help the little guy calm down.

Puppyproofing

This one is more about safety than petiquette. Fido often uses his senses to explore the world, and he sometimes tries to learn about things by, well, eating it. You’ll want to remove or secure anything that could be dangerous, such as toxic plants, plastic bags and ties, chemicals, medicines, and any small or sharp items. Also, keep clothing in hampers, closets, or drawers, and store any personal items, like purses and phones, well out of paws’ reach.

Taste Deterrent

If your pooch constantly tries to bite your hand, try using a taste deterrent. In some cases, yelping—as another puppy would—can help him realize his mistake. If your pet doesn’t get the hint, consult your vet or a pet behaviorist.

Seek Help

No luck? Don’t be shy about enlisting a professional trainer. The cost of a few obedience sessions will be well worth it in the long run!

As your local veterinary clinic, we’re here to help! Call us anytime!