There are few things more exciting than bringing home a puppy for the first time. But one thing that many of us new pet parents are unprepared for is the number of bites that can occur in the first year of life.
It’s important to remember that while it can be difficult, for most puppies biting is a completely normal behavior that allows them to explore the world around them.
That being said, how to stop a puppy from biting is a common question and although there are many different ways to do this, some methods are more effective than others.
Bites tend to go away with time and consistency, but there are some pitfalls that puppy owners can easily fall into that can make our little furry friend’s bites worse.
In a video shared on Instagram, expert trainer Amelie Steele shared three common mistakes she sees pet parents make when it comes to the issue of puppy bites.
Read on to find out what they are and how you can avoid them…
1. Yapping or screaming when they bite you: Although many of us have been told that we should react with a loud noise when our little furry baby bites us, Steele says it could actually make your pup’s bites worse. “It can be very exciting for a lot of puppies and it can piss them off and cause them to bite you even more,” she explains.
2. Keeping Them Too Awake During The Day: “It’s very common for people to try to keep their pup awake and active so they can sleep better at night,” Steele explains, “but your pup can get tired very easily and needs plenty of rest. So if you keep it awake too much and you don’t give them enough rest, it can make their bites worse.”
3. Not giving them a way to interact with you as an alternative to biting: “Puppies bite for many reasons and one of those reasons is that they want to interact with us,” Steele explains. “If you don’t do any training with them and they don’t learn how to work with you, that can also lead them to want to bite you.”
By avoiding these common mistakes, you will be able to put a stop to your puppy’s biting behavior.
However, for some puppies, biting may indicate a more serious problem. If you have any concerns, we recommend that you seek advice from your veterinarian or a qualified trainer.