Mouthing in Puppies
Jennifer Thornburg
Congratulations on your new puppy!
Puppyhood is an exciting time full of sweet puppy snuggles and surprising lessons on loss, specifically the loss of sleep, your favorite rug, shoes (so many shoes) and the leg of the antique armoire your dear Aunt Estelle left to you. But do those things really matter? Just look at those sweet puppy eyes, that rolly-polly ball of fluff with a tiny, wagging tail.Now go snuggle your baby crocodile.
Oh, she’s going for your arm? What a surprise.
I have some bad news for you and your Aunt Estelle. There’s no magic fix that will stop your puppy from biting. There are loads of recommendations out there on the internet but the most helpful tidbit you will find is: It ends, eventually. Puppies will be puppies, afterall.
Alas, we have some solutions! With a little management and training, curbing puppy shark mouth is possible!
Puppyhood is an exciting time full of sweet puppy snuggles and surprising lessons on loss, specifically the loss of sleep, your favorite rug, shoes (so many shoes) and the leg of the antique armoire your dear Aunt Estelle left to you. But do those things really matter? Just look at those sweet puppy eyes, that rolly-polly ball of fluff with a tiny, wagging tail.Now go snuggle your baby crocodile.
Oh, she’s going for your arm? What a surprise.
I have some bad news for you and your Aunt Estelle. There’s no magic fix that will stop your puppy from biting. There are loads of recommendations out there on the internet but the most helpful tidbit you will find is: It ends, eventually. Puppies will be puppies, afterall.
Alas, we have some solutions! With a little management and training, curbing puppy shark mouth is possible!
Manage the environment.
Think of it like having a toddler in your home. Same, really. You will need to puppy-proof the house. Shoes, books, bags, pillows, paper items, and articles of clothing must be kept off the floor at all times. Nothing is safe. Anything even remotely interesting that is left within reach will likely be shredded. Consider yourself warned!
If your puppy has a taste for wooden table legs, sheetrock (mmm), or other things that can't be placed out of reach, you have a few options. You can use a baby gate or other barrier to block her access to areas where these things are. You could apply a deterrent spray to items such as power cords. It's non-toxic, but it tastes terrible to most (but not all!) dogs. A word of caution that it tends to end up everywhere, so expect to get a taste too. It's nasty stuff for both humans and dogs. Blech.
What's the function of the behavior?
When we see behavior as having a function, we stop seeing it as misbehaving. This makes it easier to live with your piranha puppy.Puppies have a hard-wired need to bite and chew on things. They use their mouths to explore the world around them. And they don't yet have the skills (or feedback) to tell them what is appropriate. They don't get a manual, so they need to be gently guided.
Puppies are teething from around 16 weeks up to the age of 7 to 8 months when your puppy should have all 48 of her teeth (fun fact: that's ten more than humans have).
It is normal for puppies to use their mouths when playing with each other. It's only a painful concern when human hands and family heirlooms get into the mix. At a very young age, puppies learn how much pressure with their mouths is too much from the feedback of their littermates and their poor tired, gnawed-upon mama. The puppy learns bite inhibition through these early interactions when allowed to remain with her litter until about eight weeks. This critical lesson teaches the puppy what to do with their teeth so they don't get in trouble with them later.
What can your puppy chew on instead of the armoire or your toe?
Well, that depends on your puppy. Dogs have their own preferences about what they enjoy, so it may take trial and error to find what works for your pup. I suggest having lots of different types on hand:
Think of it like having a toddler in your home. Same, really. You will need to puppy-proof the house. Shoes, books, bags, pillows, paper items, and articles of clothing must be kept off the floor at all times. Nothing is safe. Anything even remotely interesting that is left within reach will likely be shredded. Consider yourself warned!
If your puppy has a taste for wooden table legs, sheetrock (mmm), or other things that can't be placed out of reach, you have a few options. You can use a baby gate or other barrier to block her access to areas where these things are. You could apply a deterrent spray to items such as power cords. It's non-toxic, but it tastes terrible to most (but not all!) dogs. A word of caution that it tends to end up everywhere, so expect to get a taste too. It's nasty stuff for both humans and dogs. Blech.
What's the function of the behavior?
When we see behavior as having a function, we stop seeing it as misbehaving. This makes it easier to live with your piranha puppy.Puppies have a hard-wired need to bite and chew on things. They use their mouths to explore the world around them. And they don't yet have the skills (or feedback) to tell them what is appropriate. They don't get a manual, so they need to be gently guided.
Puppies are teething from around 16 weeks up to the age of 7 to 8 months when your puppy should have all 48 of her teeth (fun fact: that's ten more than humans have).
It is normal for puppies to use their mouths when playing with each other. It's only a painful concern when human hands and family heirlooms get into the mix. At a very young age, puppies learn how much pressure with their mouths is too much from the feedback of their littermates and their poor tired, gnawed-upon mama. The puppy learns bite inhibition through these early interactions when allowed to remain with her litter until about eight weeks. This critical lesson teaches the puppy what to do with their teeth so they don't get in trouble with them later.
What can your puppy chew on instead of the armoire or your toe?
Well, that depends on your puppy. Dogs have their own preferences about what they enjoy, so it may take trial and error to find what works for your pup. I suggest having lots of different types on hand:
- Softer chews designed explicitly for puppies without adult teeth
- A knotted frozen washcloth can help soothe sore teeth and gums
- Long rope or fleece toys for tugging
- Plush squeaky toys for biting and carrying
- Toys or balls for chasing or fetching
- Sturdy interactive toys for enrichment
- PetMate chew toys
- KONG puppy toys
- Nylabone puppy toys
Be sure to check your local independently-owned pet supply store for recommendations of the best items for your puppy's needs.
Whatever you reward, you'll get more of!
Puppies are tiny sponges and will quickly figure out what works! They just don't have a lot of impulse control. Here's how to help them learn it:
Whatever you reward, you'll get more of!
Puppies are tiny sponges and will quickly figure out what works! They just don't have a lot of impulse control. Here's how to help them learn it:
- Play with your puppy and get to know what they like. This is a great way to bond with your dog and will also help break the habit of mouthing.
- If your puppy bites, get up and walk away very quickly (10-20 seconds). You may need to return your puppy to a pen or crate.
- Once your puppy is calm, you may resume play.
- If your puppy mouths again, repeat above. If they keep their teeth to themself, the game continues.
- Keep appropriate toys close by anytime you're playing with your pup.
- Reward anything that isn't biting with more play.
- Be careful to redirect your puppy to toys before they bite. If your puppy bites you and you immediately reach for their favorite toy and start playing, what was the behavior that got you to play? What did your puppy just learn? (whispers "biting")
- If teeth get out of control game is over for a moment.
Tips:
Avoid playing roughly with your puppy. Encouraging rough play results in a mouthy dog with no "off switch." No teasing with your hands or fingers or engaging in an impromptu game of tug with a shirt sleeve or sock. Keep a toy in your hands during playtime.
Physical corrections can create a fearful puppy and damage the bond you are working hard to make with your new puppy. Fear significantly contributes to dog bites and can lead to aggression in older dogs.
Do not just tell your puppy "no" when they are mouthing you. Any attention, even negative, is still attention. Consequences drive behavior; get up and walk away instead.
Yelping when the puppy bites you is not a real solution. Why?
Avoid playing roughly with your puppy. Encouraging rough play results in a mouthy dog with no "off switch." No teasing with your hands or fingers or engaging in an impromptu game of tug with a shirt sleeve or sock. Keep a toy in your hands during playtime.
Physical corrections can create a fearful puppy and damage the bond you are working hard to make with your new puppy. Fear significantly contributes to dog bites and can lead to aggression in older dogs.
Do not just tell your puppy "no" when they are mouthing you. Any attention, even negative, is still attention. Consequences drive behavior; get up and walk away instead.
Yelping when the puppy bites you is not a real solution. Why?
- You're not a dog and don't speak dog.
- It can be scary or exciting or plain old confusing. Just let your actions speak for you and stop the play.
Respect and gentle handling for all dogs!
If you're trying to pet or snuggle your puppy and she bites you, calmly stop petting and ignore them until they calm down. If your puppy is particularly excitable and mouthy, you may find that there is a time of day when they are sleepy or more open to snuggles. And that's ok! Petting may be overstimulating for her sometimes, so wait until your puppy ready.
While it's essential to be mindful of how you approach and attempt to touch a dog of any size, respect, and gentle handling for puppies are crucial. Humans are so grabby. We love to pick up puppies. Imagine just going about your own business, and suddenly you're being swooped off your feet and up into the air, then held without your consent. I would use my teeth too!
Be patient and consistent.
When it comes to training dogs, progress is not linear. You may have lots of baby shark days before you see results. As long as you don't do anything to reinforce the behavior, it will get better over time. How long it will take depends on the tenacity of your puppy.
Oh, and expect a second chewing phase in a couple of months- now with a bigger and stronger mouth! But you already know how to handle it.You got this!
If you're trying to pet or snuggle your puppy and she bites you, calmly stop petting and ignore them until they calm down. If your puppy is particularly excitable and mouthy, you may find that there is a time of day when they are sleepy or more open to snuggles. And that's ok! Petting may be overstimulating for her sometimes, so wait until your puppy ready.
While it's essential to be mindful of how you approach and attempt to touch a dog of any size, respect, and gentle handling for puppies are crucial. Humans are so grabby. We love to pick up puppies. Imagine just going about your own business, and suddenly you're being swooped off your feet and up into the air, then held without your consent. I would use my teeth too!
Be patient and consistent.
When it comes to training dogs, progress is not linear. You may have lots of baby shark days before you see results. As long as you don't do anything to reinforce the behavior, it will get better over time. How long it will take depends on the tenacity of your puppy.
Oh, and expect a second chewing phase in a couple of months- now with a bigger and stronger mouth! But you already know how to handle it.You got this!
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