Puppies: There Will Be Teeth
Originally published September 2017; edited and updated August 2023
Koinonia is still here! Although boarding and training has been quiet the past few weeks, I have stayed busy conducting…field research.
Meet Eclair, the service dog candidate!
Eclair, Leighann’s foster puppy in training from Service Dogs, Inc.
Eclair has been with me for about a month and I should have her for the next year or so if all goes as planned.
The next few blog posts will feature the nitty-gritty of my experience raising a puppy as I get an opportunity to practice what I preach!
Realistic Expectations
Teeth on skin or clothes is the most common problem my puppy clients experience. After living with Eclair for four weeks, here’s my first-hand, real-life, survival-mode perspective on puppy biting:
If you have zero tolerance for teeth on skin or clothes, don't get a puppy.
Puppy nibbling is painful (yes, even for me). It’s irritating. Sometimes it’s damaging. And it is part of having a puppy.*
Mouthing, biting and chewing are very normal, very frequent parts of a puppy's behavior repertoire.
You can absolutely reduce the illegal puppy biting. But, amateur or professional, you cannot entirely eliminate it.
Red scratches courtesy of a client's dog. Not aggression! Just part of being around young dogs.
My arms and hands attest to the fact that doing it "right" as a professional doesn't completely stop puppy biting. A fun game of tug can turn painful when she jumps to readjust her grip and grabs your hand instead of the toy.
This (and more) has happened to me with Eclair.
Here, I hold a long rope toy for Eclair to play with. This is a perfectly acceptable way to interact with your puppy and it keeps them from learning bad habits!
But what can I do about the biting?!?!
Don’t go in empty-handed. Offer a legal item close to your puppy’s mouth when you want to pet or cuddle her.
Play with an extra-long toy to reduce accidental nicks.
Sit in a chair while you play to increase the distance between puppy teeth and your body.
Check out some of my other blog posts on puppy biting:
*(Note that while puppy biting is normal, “aggression” is not. If you’re experiencing that or think you might be experiencing that, get in touched with a qualified professional ASAP)