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Survival Guide Day 3 - Nipping: The Dreaded Shark Teeth

bigmommasdogtraini

This is for the new pet parents and their new additions to the family.

The dreaded baby teeth A.K.A Shark Teeth, as we lovingly call them.

As much as we don't like to be used as a chew toy - this is natural behavior for dogs.

Like babies who use their hands to explore their environment, puppies use their mouths to help them explore the world around them.

And sometimes...that means they are using their mouths on us.


Here are some tips to help survive the puppy teething stage:


  1. My rule of thumb is this: if puppy teeth touch skin the game is over. We need to teach puppies that it's not okay to use human skin as a toy. So if you feel the teeth touch skin, I always advise to leave the room and close yourself off in a bathroom or small closet. Give it about 10-15 seconds before coming out and you have 1 of 3 options:

    1. you can continue playing with your puppy. They will learn if teeth touch skin then their human leaves (and that's no fun for a puppy!)

    2. you do not feel like playing with them anymore so you can give them a chew toy such as a benebone, kong, etc to chew on instead. 

    3. If your puppy is cranky and insists on trying to use YOU as a chew toy instead of the actual chew toy, you can put the puppy in their crate. 

  2. Sometimes, if a puppy is really mouthy, it means they need a NAP. Like overtired children that are cranky, puppies also need naps when they're overtired. Most of the time when a puppy is put away they are passed out within a minute or two. 😴

  3. Nipping should NOT be a way that a puppy gets your attention. You think it's adorable at first but then you realize that those puppy teeth are going to fall out...you think the puppy teeth hurt? The adult teeth are even worse! Your puppy should be taught alternative ways to seek attention whether that is sitting for pets, lying down before being invited up on the couch, and so on. 

"But my puppy nips at my clothes and my kids as we walk by them! HELP!"


To a puppy, small children running is great fun! If you watch dogs play they LOVE to chase one another. Children are smaller, higher pitched voices, and they make funny sounds! Of course your puppy is going to think your child is playing as they run by! And loose, flowing clothing? Puppies think that is also a great toy! 🐾


If they start to bite at the clothing, you can re-direct them onto their toys HOWEVER you don't want them to THINK they are getting rewarded for biting clothing. You can sternly tell them to "leave it" (as long as they know that trick!) and then reward them with a toy. Spray deterrents also work wonders (many do not stain clothes - I go over more of that with the chewing guide) 


If you also yell at the puppy, kick at them, run and shriek through the house - then they are rewarded with: 


1. A chase game


and 


2. Attention


Keep that in mind when teaching your puppy what's okay and what's not! If your puppy is really nippy, it could be one of two things:


1. The puppy is overstimulated and they need to nap or settle (in their crate 😉)


OR


2. Your puppy may not be receiving the mental and physical stimulation they need to help curb the nipping. So, work on some training exercises like loose leash walking or sitting to work their brains and bodies! 


Hope these tips help! 


Stay tuned for tomorrow's survival guide on Jumping: My Dog is a Jumping Bean!


🐕


If you have questions, I'm just a message away ~


Nicole 

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