You bring your adorable new puppy home, spend approximately 17 minutes falling completely in love with them, and then they sink their tiny razor-sharp teeth into your ankle.
Welcome to puppyhood.
One of the most common questions I get asked as a dog trainer is:
“Why is my puppy biting so much?”
The good news is that puppy biting is completely normal. The even better news is that it doesn’t last forever, although it can certainly feel like it at times!
Why Do Puppies Bite?
Puppies explore the world with their mouths.
Whilst we use our hands to touch, pick things up and investigate, puppies use their mouths. Everything is new, exciting and worth investigating. Unfortunately, that often includes your hands, feet, clothing and occasionally your favourite slippers.
Puppy biting is a natural part of development and serves several important purposes.
Teething
Just like human babies, puppies go through a teething phase.
Between roughly 3 and 6 months of age, puppies lose their baby teeth and their adult teeth start to emerge. This can make their gums feel uncomfortable, leading them to chew and bite more frequently in an attempt to relieve the sensation.
Learning About the World
Puppies are little scientists.
They investigate everything around them, and mouthing objects is one of the ways they learn. They’re not trying to be naughty, dominant or difficult. They’re simply gathering information.
Play and Social Development
Puppies naturally play with their littermates using their mouths.
Through these interactions they learn important social skills, including how much pressure is acceptable during play. When they come to live with us, they’re still learning those lessons.
Tired Puppies Bite More
This one catches many people out.
Many biting episodes happen when puppies are actually tired rather than energetic. An overtired puppy can become a furry little whirlwind, zooming around the house and launching themselves at sleeves, shoelaces and unsuspecting ankles.
If your puppy suddenly turns into a tiny land shark during the evening, they may simply need more rest.
What Doesn’t Cause Puppy Biting?
Let’s bust a few myths.
Your puppy is not biting because they are trying to dominate you.
They are not trying to become the “pack leader”.
They are not plotting a household takeover.
They are not being spiteful.
In fact, they’re usually just being a puppy.
Understanding this can make a huge difference to how we respond.
How Can We Help Our Puppies?
Provide Appropriate Chews
Puppies need safe outlets for chewing.
Suitable puppy chews, stuffed Kongs, lick mats and enrichment activities can help satisfy their natural urge to use their mouths whilst giving those sore gums something appropriate to work on.
Work with a trainer/puppy classes.
Prioritise Sleep
Many puppies need between 18 and 20 hours of sleep each day.
Read that again.
A lack of sleep is one of the biggest contributors to puppy biting. Building plenty of rest opportunities into your puppy’s day can make a remarkable difference.
Redirect Rather Than Punish
If your puppy starts chewing on your hands or clothes, calmly redirect them onto a suitable toy or chew.
The goal isn’t to tell them off for being a puppy.
The goal is to show them what they can chew instead.
Manage the Environment
Sometimes management is your best friend.
Using baby gates, puppy pens and leads indoors can help prevent your puppy rehearsing behaviours that you don’t want whilst giving everyone a chance to stay calm.
Keep Training Sessions Short and Fun
Young puppies have the attention span of a squirrel that’s had three coffees.
A few minutes of training, some enrichment, a short play session and then rest is often far more effective than trying to keep them busy for hours.
The Science Bit
Research suggests that puppies, like young children, are still developing impulse control and emotional regulation.
Their brains are literally under construction.
This means they often struggle to make good choices when excited, frustrated, tired or overstimulated.
The behaviour you’re seeing today isn’t necessarily the dog you’ll have in a year’s time.
With guidance, patience and appropriate support, puppies mature into wonderful companions.
It Will Get Better
If you’re currently wearing a collection of tiny puncture wounds and wondering what on earth you’ve brought into your home, you’re not alone.
Puppy biting can be frustrating, exhausting and occasionally painful.
But it is also normal.
Most puppies gradually grow out of this stage as their adult teeth arrive, their brains mature and they learn better ways to interact with the world around them.
Until then, stock up on chews, prioritise sleep, keep a sense of humour and remember:
Your puppy isn’t giving you a hard time.
They’re having a hard time.
And that’s exactly when they need our patience the most.
Need Help With Your Puppy?
At SkellyWAGS Dog Training, we help puppies and their humans navigate everything from biting and toilet training to recall, lead walking and building a fantastic relationship together. Contact us today. 07977011960
Because puppyhood isn’t about creating a perfect puppy.
It’s about helping both ends of the lead enjoy the journey.
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