Puppy Biting and Chewing
Teach Your Puppy Not To Bite and Chew
Puppies naturally explore the world with their mouths. The tastes and textures of objects in their environment help them to learn about their world. They spend several months shedding their baby teeth and growing in their adult teeth. This stimulates them to chew. It's normal for them to chew. What they must learn is what is appropriate for them to chew.
The most important learning period for puppies is 4 to 16 weeks of age. From birth to about 8 weeks, a puppy is mostly learning from her mother and littermates. The pup should also have generous amounts of gentle human handling during this time. This prepares her for her new home.
Around 8 weeks of age, most pups are separated from their litter and sent to new homes. The next 8 weeks are critical for pups to learn how to interact with their new families and environments.
A new pup should not have free rein of the house at first. This is too confusing for him. Keep him mostly in a smaller, easily cleaned room such as a kitchen. Provide him with acceptable chew toys such as Kong toys, rawhide and nylabones. Do not give him discarded shoes or clothing. He can't differentiate between old and new clothing. Never strike or yell at your pup during this time. You will only frighten and confuse him, and could create unwanted aggression.
When approaching or playing with your pup, or during training sessions, keep your hand closed in a fist. Then your fingers are not available for chewing. It is much harder for her to chew on your fist, and it makes a less interesting toy for her.
Speak to your pup in her language. If she chews on your or your clothing, give out a loud "arp"! She will stop mouthing immediately. Remove your hand from her. Even put it behind your back, and promptly give her a more appropriate toy to chew on. You can use the same "arp" for anything you do not want her to chew on. Be sure to immediately redirect her to what is okay for her to chew on.
Puppies use the "arp" with each other to tell each other "enough, you're chewing too hard." It is very effective to teach pups in their own language. If you watch puppies at play, you will hear that sound often. It is more effective than a verbal command such as "no" that pups do not yet understand. The "arp" sound is also effective for adult dogs.
Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise. A growing puppy or adult dog that has too little exercise starts looking for something to do. Dogs are complex, social animals that need a job to do. That job includes a need for vigorous exercise daily.
