My puppy bites a lot and doesn't listen: what can I do?

Why do puppies bite?

Puppies bite everything because they learn through play, but there are certain behaviors we need to teach them so they can be happy dogs without problems in the future.

Puppy Nature

There are several main reasons why puppies bite everything: like humans, during their first few months, a puppy recognizes objects by touch. This sense is especially developed in their snout, and therefore they use it to feel their surroundings.

Dog's Curiosity

If your puppy bites everything, it's part of their nature and instinct: they are investigating, curiosity drives them, and they need to analyze everything. They are discovering the world around them, and you are the one who needs to set boundaries.

Teething

Another reason puppies get used to biting is that they feel the discomfort associated with their teeth developing. Until their full set of teeth has formed, puppies tend to bite, which produces saliva that relieves this discomfort.

How long does the biting stage last for a puppy?

All puppies bite, especially during teething, which will be from 12 weeks onwards until approximately 6 months of age. Their milk teeth will gradually fall out and be replaced by adult teeth.

What can I do if my puppy bites a lot?

If you have a puppy that bites everything, it's best to teach them some behavioral guidelines. Dogs learn through play and make associations; it's up to us to ensure those associations are positive. How to train a puppy not to bite will be key in the future for them to become a healthy and happy dog.

Leave them with their mother and litter for the necessary time

Many puppy behavioral problems arise because they have been separated from their mother prematurely. Ideally, the mother and puppy should live together for three to four months, allowing the puppy time to acquire behavioral patterns and basic socialization rules.

Set guidelines and say no

Every puppy needs training, and the best way is to establish specific guidelines that are clear to avoid confusing them. Don't be afraid to tell them a firm NO when they chew on something.

Don't tempt the puppy

Waving your hands can stimulate your puppy and awaken their need to play and bite... try to keep your hands still so they don't attract their attention. Above all, do not encourage the puppy to bite you or to bite objects, not even when you are playing. Offer them their toys every time they are biting your things.

Use appropriate toys and chew toys

To train a puppy not to bite what they shouldn't, it's recommended that they have their toys on hand, preferably soft ones, otherwise they could damage their gums and teeth. They should be large enough so they don't swallow them, and won't break into pieces when bitten. It's good if they are easy to clean to prevent bacteria accumulation. Latex ones are best because they are non-toxic and softer than plastic ones.

During teething, give your dog cold, freezable toys; they will relieve the pain of new teeth.

Exercise and train the dog

Dogs need to expend all their energy, otherwise, they will cause damage at home or bark excessively.
This is often solved with a long walk, fetch games, agility training with obstacles, indoor scent games...

Fetch games prevent anxiety, improve their intelligence, and emotional balance.

What NOT to do to control a biting puppy

We have already given you several guidelines on how to control a biting puppy, and now we will tell you what you should never do if they bite.

Punish or hit

If they bite you, you have to scold them. Never hit or punish them; the dog will never understand why you are doing it, they won't associate it. A "no" is better, so if you're playing with them and they bite you, let them know and stop playing for a few minutes. The dog will associate "no" with something bad and will know not to do it.

If they have stopped biting, let them know too: give them a treat and reward their behavior; positive reinforcement works much better than negative.

Running away

Sometimes the normal reaction to a puppy's bite is to run away, and that's precisely what we shouldn't do, as the dog will associate it with a stimulus, which is exactly what we don't want to happen. If you want to control a biting puppy, you should not run away.

Not offering them anything to bite

It's important for a puppy to have toys to exercise their bite, so they don't take it out on your things. They should be appropriate for their age, size, and the characteristics of their teeth. So, to calm a biting puppy, remove the bitten object and offer them one of their toys instead.

Offering contradictory signals to the dog or stopping suddenly

Signals must be clear; if they are contradictory, the dog can get confused and make bad associations that are difficult to correct.

What to do if my puppy bites and growls?

The first thing to analyze is the type of growl; it could be for play or for attention. If it's for play, there's no problem. If it's for attention, we need to be alert because it might end up in a bite. If your puppy bites and growls, you'll need to socialize them as soon as possible to prevent these unwanted behaviors. You need to expose your puppy to a variety of different people, animals, and situations to help minimize their anxiety and tendency to react aggressively.

When does a puppy's bite become aggression?

One of the most common mistakes is letting our puppy bite our hands during their first few weeks. During the training period, they will learn what they should and shouldn't do.

Avoid playing with your dog using your hands when they are overexcited, as they won't properly manage their strength then. Don't resume playing until they calm down; this way, the puppy understands that if the rules you set are not followed, the game is over. If your puppy hurts you, express it with signs of pain; it will remind them of what their mother did with the litter, and they will inhibit themselves.

We hope we have answered some of your questions about how to train a puppy not to bite. If, after following all the guidelines, your puppy still bites a lot, we recommend consulting a canine specialist.

On our website, you will find different types of puppy toys with which you can properly train your dog. Take a look.

See you in the next post!

WOOF!!!