Do You Have A Nippy Puppy?

Don’t tease them with something you don’t want them to bite. That looks like using your hands as a game (this is a big one to teach kids not to do), or dangling your clothing or other non-play items in front of them to get a reaction. Remember, every action has an equal, and opposite REACTION.

✅ Time your affection! If your puppy is already over-excited, hyped up, restless or agitated, that is not the time to hold, cuddle or pet them. you will reinforce that behavior which makes it harder to stop.

If whatever you’re doing becomes a biting/mouthing game, the interaction stops. Continuing to play and engage a puppy that just wants to nibble you has a pretty obvious outcome. ✅ Puppies require lots of frequent sleep to regulate their brains and to grow. When they get cranky and have gone too long without sleeping, they will be prone to behaviors such as nipping, lunging and grabbing your clothes. If you notice that your puppy is extra nippy then it is a sign that they are over stimulated and need to take a nap.  This is not punishment. This is not a time out. This is needed to regulate balanced development. Make sure to end the interaction and start the crate/nap time in a positive manner as not to cause a negative connection with the crate.

✅ DO start giving them something to put their mind and energy towards. Your puppy is young, but they mentally grow and adapt very quickly. Don’t neglect their increasing need for training, guidance, and new adventures to overcome.

BONUS TIP: Pay attention to who they’re most nippy/mouthy with, and see if you can deduce WHY.

The energy you bring to encounters with your dog can unintentionally be arousing and exciting them to a point where they express inappropriate behaviors in response to the energy YOU are bringing. A lot of times parents will express that the puppy is nipping at the kids.  Children have a way of playing that includes running, laughing, squeals, jumping and other fast movements.. these actions signal to the puppy that it is playtime… and we must remember that dogs are animals and biting, jumping and vocalizing is how they played with their littermates. This is normal dog behavior. So, it is important to always supervise your children and puppy and; to redirect behaviors from both the kids and the puppy before it reaches the nipping and bitting. Teach the kiddos that running and squealing means.. “bite me- I like it” to a puppy.

Remember, habits are created quickly with puppies. If you get them over stimulated and then show them attention they will likely act in the same manner to get attention from guests, children they meet or strangers on walks. Work on your behavior and how you interact with your puppy and,  notice how their behavior changes.