Puppy biting is a common problem for many new dog owners. While it may seem cute and harmless when your puppy is little, it can become a problem as your dog grows and the bite becomes stronger. But why does your puppy bite, seemingly for no reason? We explain what causes puppy biting and how to best deal with it.
Causes of puppy biting
First of all, puppy biting is completely normal and does not necessarily mean that the puppy is aggressive. In fact, biting is a normal social behavior, where the puppy learns to control jaw pressure. However, there are also a number of other natural reasons why a puppy bites, including:
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Teething: Just like human babies, puppies go through a teething phase. This can often be itchy and cause the puppy to feel the urge to chew on all sorts of strange things to relieve the discomfort.
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Play: Puppies are playful, and among puppy siblings, biting is a natural part of play. Therefore, your puppy may start biting when they want to invite you to play and have fun, including with you!
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Exploration: When your puppy explores new objects and surroundings, they use taste and chewing resistance to assess and form impressions. An adventurous puppy will often try to bite into lots of different things.
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Hunting instinct: If your hand (or another object) acts like prey, your puppy's hunting instinct may be activated.
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Fear and stress: Sometimes your puppy may bite if they feel anxious, scared or stressed, especially in a new or unfamiliar environment.
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Bite fault: Sometimes a puppy bites excessively due to a misaligned bite where the canine tooth in the lower jaw enters the gum in the upper jaw.
How long does puppy biting last?
Puppy biting is a common behavior in puppies, and how long it lasts can vary from dog to dog. However, puppy biting typically begins around 3-4 weeks of age and can last for several months. This often stems from the puppy's natural instinct and need to explore the world around them by biting and chewing on things. It is important to understand that puppy biting is a normal part of puppy development, but it is also important to teach your puppy to control this behavior. This can be done through proper training and socialization.
How to deal with puppy biting?
Although biting is a normal and natural social behavior among dogs, it is not very pleasant for us humans to be bitten. If you want to put an end to puppy biting, there are a few things you should consider.
We recommend avoiding physical punishment, after all, biting is part of a puppy's natural behavior. It's okay to be firm and say no, if he has learned the meaning of the word, but with harsh physical punishment you risk that the puppy will not understand anything and will only lose trust in you. Instead, try to redirect the puppy's attention. For example, you can give him a chew bone or a puppy toy that he can keep busy with. Frozen treats also help relieve itching and provide chewing resistance!
At the same time, it is also a good idea to have a good dose of patience. Biting is part of puppyhood no matter how you look at it. Try not to get frustrated or use unnecessary irritation on something that is a natural part of the innocent puppy's life cycle. Also remember to give praise and rewards as positive reinforcement for the desired behavior, that is, when it doesn't bite!
Also read about everything you need for a puppy .
Prevention and awareness
Now that we have established that there is little point in reacting harshly and punishing the puppy, we can instead focus on what we can do to prevent and stop puppy biting in the long run. Enough activity and stimuli are important to avoid a restless puppy. Biting can often be associated with a raptus (read: burst of energy, preferably before bedtime), so taking your puppy for an evening walk is not a bad idea. With regular exercise and a wide variety of chew toys, you are on the right track!
When should I contact a veterinarian for puppy biting?
Puppy biting is normal, and is something most puppies eventually outgrow. However, some dogs do need help controlling their behavior. If your puppy constantly growls or bites when you try to pet it, or behaves unusually aggressively, it may be a sign of something else. At our clinic in Larvik, you can get help from skilled veterinarians, who can examine your puppy and provide specialized advice on behavior training. Book an appointment for a consultation at A-Vet Smådyrklinikk here!
Summary
Puppy biting is a natural part of puppy behavior, both for development and socialization. There are several measures you can take to overcome biting, but we do not recommend physical punishment. The best thing to do is to provide enough exercise and play, and rather distract the biting puppy with something else exciting.
