{"id":8481,"date":"2023-02-09T17:19:42","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T17:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tails.com\/blog\/?p=8481"},"modified":"2023-02-09T17:35:16","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T17:35:16","slug":"how-to-teach-a-puppy-not-to-bite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tails.com\/blog\/how-to-teach-a-puppy-not-to-bite\/","title":{"rendered":"How to teach a puppy not to bite"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome home puppy! Your new life as a dog parent begins, and it’s full of soft puppy cuddles and mutual affection – right? The reality is often your cute, cuddly ball of fluff has teeth like needles, and seems intent on using them on you. So, how can you teach a puppy not to bite?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First things first, don’t panic<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Often at this point owners become concerned about the seemingly endless biting. They even become worried these are signs their puppy is \u2018aggressive\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be even more of a concern if there are children or vulnerable adults in the household.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is an important news flash!<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every single puppy will go through a puppy biting phase. It\u2019s completely normal, and an important part of puppy development. But you need to both understand it – and have a survival guide! So here it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Puppy Biting<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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  1. This isn\u2019t a puppy being naughty or aggressive. Puppy biting is a totally normal behaviour. Until now, a puppy\u2019s only social interactions have been with their mum and their littermates \u2013 and the only way puppies can play with each other is using their mouths and their teeth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. It’s not just play. It’s an important developmental period, where dogs begin to learn how to interact with others \u2013 and limit their biting when their teeth are sharp but their jaws are weak. So the good news is while painful, bites won’t cause serious injury.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. When puppies bite too hard in play and hurt their mum or sibling, they’ll stop playing with the biter. This way puppies begin to learn that if they want to play, they have to be gentle with those needle-sharp teeth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Play biting is a bonding behaviour for puppies, and up until now, it’s been how your puppy has interacted with their family. Now you are their family, they’ll continue to play in the only way they know. They have a strong desire to build a bond with you – so it’s unfair to tell them off for trying to build a relationship.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    None of that changes the fact puppy biting hurts. So you have to teach them a different way to interact, so they don\u2019t grow up thinking biting in play is acceptable or desirable!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Thankfully this is easy \u2013 as long as you’re consistent and make sure everyone in your household follows the rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why Do Puppies Bite?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n