Puppy Biting Tips

Have you recently adopted a new puppy? Congratulations! There are few things that can bring as much joy and laughter into our lives as a baby animal can. Fido will always be charming, but he’s almost impossibly adorable at this special stage. Of course, that cuteness does come with a price. You’ll need to do quite a bit of pet parenting during that toddler phase! One thing you’ll need to address is biting. A local vet offers some advice on this below.

Offer Suitable Chews

Part of the reason that puppies bite is to help them cope with the pain of teething. This is a normal part of puppyhood. Make sure that little Fido always has plenty of suitable chew toys. Look for durable playthings that will hold up to lots of abuse. Kong toys are good for this.

Puppyproofing

Dogs use their senses to explore the world, and he might try to learn more about something by, well, eating it. Remove or secure anything that could potentially be dangerous, such as toxic plants, plastic bags and ties, medicines, chemicals, and anything small or sharp. You’ll also need to keep clothing in hampers, closets, or drawers, and store personal belongings, like purses and cell phones, out of paws’ reach.

Use Positive Reinforcement

You should never yell at or punish your puppy for misbehaving. This may only make the little guy scared of you! If your puppy ever does something wrong, just say ‘No’ in a firm tone. Then ignore him for a while. A bit of a time out may also help little Fido calm down.

Taste Deterrent

If your four-legged buddy constantly tries to bite your hand, try using a taste deterrent. In some cases, yelping—as a puppy would—can help him realize his goof.

Be Consistent

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

Seek Help

Not having any luck? Don’t be shy about enlisting a professional trainer. The cost of a few obedience classes will be well worth it in the long run!

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