Why is It Important to Train a Puppy Not to Bite?
Welcoming a cute little puppy home can be a joyful experience. The four-legged creature doesn’t take long to take over their new home and become an irreplaceable part of their human family. However, living with a pup is not always about snuggles and playtime. Soon the tiny beings develop a habit of biting almost everything they can get their mouth on. This phenomenon may look normal but shouldn’t always be neglected. If you’re a new dog parent and struggling to deal with your pet’s biting and chewing, don’t worry as we’re here to help.
In this blog, we’ll discuss why puppies bite and why it is important to train them not to bite. Read on to find out more.
Why do puppies bite?
Below are the common reasons for a pup to bite:
- The pup is teething
Just like their human counterparts, even young canines tend to experience sore gums during teething. To relieve themselves, they bite whatever comes their way, including you, your clothes, the furniture, etc.
- The pup is trying to explore
Puppies tend to get familiar with the world around them by biting which may include fellow pups, their human parents and inanimate objects. By biting, puppies get an idea of the object’s taste and consistency and decide whether to continue biting them, change the pressure of the bite or discontinue biting.
- The pup is trying to play
Puppies often bite their hoomans or fellow pups to entice playing. For them, it is a normal, fun behaviour. This is a part of their development and learning of social interactions.
Why is it important to train a puppy not to bite?
It is always better to teach puppies to refrain from biting before the issue gets serious. Here’s why you need to do so:
- Preventing Future Aggression
Puppies that are not taught to control biting often end up displaying aggressive behaviours at a later stage. This particularly happens if they feel threatened, uncomfortable or experience pain.
- Preventing Injuries
Often puppy bites do not hurt humans as their teeth are small and not sharp enough. However, when it comes to children, aged individuals and those with fragile skin remain at risk of getting injured if bitten by pups.
- Teaching Socialisation
You would always want to teach your pup to interact safely with humans and other dogs. Providing bite inhibition training is an important part of socialisation as it teaches the fur balls appropriate social cues.
- Reducing Stress
Once your little pooch learns to control biting, it automatically refrains from engaging in excessive mouthing. This leads to a comfortable, enjoyable and relaxed experience for the canine and its human family members and friends.
- Building a Strong Bond
Once a puppy is successfully trained not to bite its human parents and other household objects, it automatically becomes more gentle and less aggressive. This helps strengthen the bond and build trust between the pup and its family.
Ending Note
Puppy biting is a normal step in its development and can be easily fixed with patience and perseverance. Once your pooch learns to bite playfully without hurting you, you will be more comfortable around it and gladly introduce it to your friends and acquaintances.
At VetSupply, we carry a wide range of biting toys for your dog that will help reduce destructive chewing, relieve teething discomfort, manage anxiety, provide mental stimulation as well as promote dental health. Check out our online store today to get your hands on them at the best prices.
