Why does my puppy need to chew?
First of all, know that a puppy needs to chew to calm down, on the one hand, and to discover what surrounds him, on the other hand. Just like children who put everything in their mouths, puppies chew to discover their environment.
It's also a reflex that they keep from their first weeks of life with their siblings. The canine “games” were ultimately sessions of jostling, biting and fighting in short. How could they then understand that once they arrive in their new family, these play sessions are no longer acceptable? It is therefore a learning in its own right (as well as toilet training or walking on a leash) that you must instill in your puppy as soon as he arrives at your home.
For adult dogs, biting is a need, just like running, eating and drinking. Masticatory expenditure is essential for a dog, so do not try to prevent a dog from chewing but rather allow him to chew on objects adapted and provided for this purpose.
My dog bites hands, feet, furniture: what to do?
When a puppy or dog starts chewing anything and everything, it's very unpleasant because either it hurts (feet and hands) or it damages objects and furniture in the house .
You must therefore offer your puppy or your dog an alternative, a way to chew that is acceptable and even encouraged.
To do this:
- Provide your pet with occupying and chewing toys regularly,
- " Don&39;t leave these toys available to him all the time, otherwise they will lose their value in his eyes,"
- Choose specific times, especially when you feel your dog needs an occupation, and initiate the beginning and end of chewing activity,
- Prefer quality toys that are strong enough (avoid stuffed animals) to prevent your dog from swallowing pieces or from passing, watch in hand, 2 seconds to “take care”.
These tips are valid for “preventing” biting, but when your puppy or your dog is biting you, here is the attitude you must adopt.
- As soon as your pet bites your hand, foot, or even if it's just chewing your clothes, let out a little cry like “ouch”, then walk away and completely ignore your dog.
- To ignore your dog properly: don't talk to him, don't touch him or look at him. Clearly, turn your back on it and even change rooms if necessary.Your dog will then understand that the attitude he has adopted generates something he hates, namely being alone.
- Repeat this as soon as your puppy or your dog bites you but above all, if he does not bite you, reward him warmly. Show him that when he's calm and gentle, he gets your full attention. On the other hand, as soon as he gets excited and starts biting you: the social interaction is over, you leave!
Mistakes not to commit
Above all, when your puppy or your dog starts to bite you, the worst mistake to make is to let him do it, we will see later why.
In the meantime, here is the list of small mistakes that we sometimes make without even realizing it and that it would be better not to commit in the future:
- Playing with your puppy or dog without toys (just with hands and body). This can be a good way to play, but only when your dog has acquired the self-controls and lost the habit of biting you.
- Pay systematic attention to your dog as soon as he starts biting us. This only reinforces your dog's bad behavior because he understands that by biting you, he gets your full attention. Without letting it happen, think of the method mentioned above: cry + ignorance!
- Punishing your dog afterwards following a destruction caused by biting. This makes no sense to your dog and will only discredit you in front of him.
- Hit your dog when he starts biting. Violence and brutality have never solved anything. This attitude breaks the trust created between you and your dog.
Until what age does a puppy bite?
There really isn't a set age for a puppy to stop chewing. He will only stop doing it if you take matters into your own hands and especially if you take the time to teach him not to do it!
Although this is mainly a juvenile reflex that can fade over time, if you don't adopt a clear and consistent attitude, your dog, even an adult, will have no reason to stop biting. Because here, time does not solve everything, on the contrary, it can even worsen the situation if no action is taken.
Hence the importance of limiting biting very early and redirecting it to toys designed for this purpose.
The risks if you don't stop biting quickly
An adult dog that has been left to chew anything and everything is a dog that has not learned an essential concept in education, namely: self-checks.
If no limits are set, your dog can quickly become dangerous, for you, for your children if you have any, for all the people he meets but also for his fellow dogs.
It is important to act from an early age so that the puppy learns to control the strength of his jaw, otherwise dramatic consequences could occur.
Furthermore, if you don't stop biting quickly, you can give up on your furniture, and even if you buy a new sofa, a new table or brand new chairs, your dog won't make the difference.
Then, to finish, know that it is much easier to forbid something to a puppy by directly teaching him good manners rather than trying to remove a bad behavior, installed for a long time, by a another more acceptable to an already well conditioned adult dog.