Why does my puppy keep biting me?
The teething phase in puppies can feel like a never-ending process, especially when they start chewing on anything they can get their jaws on. However, it's crucial to stay calm and remember that your furry companion isn't being intentionally mischievous.
They are simply trying to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with teething. Chewing on objects like the leg of your new sofa might provide relief for their sore gums.
When do puppies start teething?
Breeds vary somewhat but puppies typically get their first set of teeth at about 5 - 6 weeks of age. At around 16 weeks old your pup will begin to lose their needle-sharp baby teeth and their adult teeth will begin to appear.
How long does the biting stage last?
Around the age of 6 to 7 months, your dog should have all of their adult teeth, and the teething phase should be over.
However, those 4 to 5 months of intense teething can be challenging for many pet owners. Puppies, in their search for relief from the discomfort, tend to chew on almost anything they come across. Due to their small size, this often includes furniture legs, expensive shoes, or even your own feet and fingers.
So what can you do to help relieve your furry friend's discomfort and protect your valuable belongings? Here are a few suggestions from our veterinary team at Community Veterinary Clinic.
How to Stop a Puppy from Biting
If you're wondering how to train a puppy not to bite, our Turlock vets have a number of tips that could help curb your puppy's naughty behavior.
Store Some Puppy Friendly Teething Toys in the Freezer
Much like teething babies, puppies often find that chewing cold or frozen items help to relieve teething pain. While there is a range of teething-specific toys available from most pet stores almost any dog toy can be frozen to help provide relief for your pup. Kongs, rubber bones, and dog-specific soft toys are all great options.
Offer Your Pup Extra Durable Chew Toys
Specific puppy teething bones by brands such as Nylabone are sized appropriately for small, medium and large breeds and come flavored to help encourage your puppy away from boring smelling valuables and over to a tasty chewy treat - encouraging both healthy chewing habits and relieving pain at the same time.
Edible Teething Sticks for Puppies
Several trustworthy dog food brands provide edible teething treats and bones designed specifically for puppies to alleviate their mouth pain. Your veterinarian might suggest a suitable option for your puppy, or you can visit a nearby pet store where you'll find a variety of flavors and sizes to choose from. It's important to select the appropriate size of teething treat for your pup, ensuring they can gain the maximum benefit from it.
Healthy Frozen Foods For Puppies to Chew
Many puppies enjoy tasty treats such as frozen bagels, frozen carrots or other healthy veggies. If you are planning to offer your pup a frozen food always speak to your vet first to ensure it's a good option for your pup.
My puppy keeps biting me, what should I do?
Nipping and biting is naturally how puppies play. When one puppy bites another too hard the hurt pup will let out a high-pitched yelp.
If your young pup is nipping and biting at you it's important to put a stop to this behavior before it gets out of hand. One effective approach for stopping this behavior is to mimic the yelp of a hurt puppy when your little friend digs their teeth into you. A loud little 'OW' in a high-pitched voice should startle your puppy and cause them to back off. When your puppy stops and backs off be sure to offer a reward for their good behavior.
If this approach leads your puppy to nip at you more aggressively, quietly stop playing with your puppy and walk away or gently put your pup in their crate for some quiet time.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.