PUPPY BITING & MOUTHING

Once a litter of puppies becomes active they play with each other by pulling ears, tails and anything else that they can grab but because of the very sharp teeth that Mother Nature deliberately gave them they very quickly learn to be gentle with each other.

Most puppies when they leave the litter at around 8 weeks old will want to continue these games with their new family.

It is always a good idea to allow a puppy to experience play biting with us so that they can learn how fragile our skin is and so inhibit their bite.

In order to teach our puppy that humans are wimps and cannot tolerate the play biting on the same scale as their brothers & sisters you should first of all tell them that it hurts by screaming in pain. Nothing too dramatic, just a loud, sharp OUCH!!!

Most puppies will now be gentler, especially if you emphasise this by refusing to carry on with the game when they bite hard.

If you are the lucky owner of one of the minority of dogs who actually enjoys inflicting pain then you will need to simulate the behaviour of his litter mate. Walk away and find someone else to play with!

Never bite him back, hit him, threaten him or punish him physically in any way otherwise the play biting will become defence biting and much more difficult to eliminate.

Once puppy has learnt to be gentle with his biting/mouthing you can then teach him not to do it at all. At anytime during play that his teeth go on to you or your clothes, you must immediately terminate the game. Stand up, leave the room and close the door behind you or step over a stair gate. For the persistent hanger-oner you will need to use a training/house line so that you can step out of puppy's reach. If you aren't playing with him when the biting occurs then he is trying to attract your attention. Same rules apply. Stand up, leave the room and close the door behind you, and in future try to give him attention when he is being good.

Young children will usually be the most popular target for puppies play biting. Constant supervision will ensure that this doesn't get out of hand. Young children should never be left alone with a dog, not even for a second. A cardboard box for the child to step into when puppy 'attacks' feet should be kept to hand.

Play fighting and chasing games should never be encouraged between puppies and children or the adolescent dog will be very difficult to control around children.

Supervise CONTROLLED games such as chasing and fetching a ball or hide and seek with food treats and toys.

To avoid brushing and towel drying becoming a play fighting game with your puppy, start grooming and handling sessions at a very young age. One stroke with a brush and a reward for not biting. Then two strokes and so on. If all else fails, spread marmite on the fridge door and groom him while he licks it off.

Some dogs will be more persistent especially if they have previously been allowed to mouth, bite or chew or have been punished inappropriately in the past. Most of our attempts to stop a puppy biting will usually be interpreted by puppy as a game! Removing your attention is the only response required.

As with everything, some dogs will learn quicker than others. Be consistent, be patient but above all be kind.

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