As much as you may love your cute, new puppy, if she chews on
everything in sight—including you—she will not be cute to you
for very long. Puppies that are left to their own devices can
destroy a home quickly. Just as training is required to
housebreak your little fur ball, training is also necessary to
teach them appropriate chewing behaviors.
Many believe the longer a pup is allowed to stay with her
mother and siblings, the better she will behave. It seems that
puppies younger than eight weeks—who are taken from their
mother—exhibit a more aggressive form of chewing and biting
over those pups which are separated after the two-month mark.
Pups learn from the day they are born what is expected of them.
Most pups find their mother is very tolerant of being chewed and
gnawed on. However, as the pup grows and those sharp little
teeth start coming in, the mother dog starts setting the limit
on how much nipping she will tolerate, especially if she has a
large litter using her for a chew toy! The mother dog will
usually get up and leave the area which will eventually teach
the little squirts to be gentle with her.
This is usually when the pups start rough housing and playing
with their litter mates. Nothing is more enjoyable than
watching a pile of pups roll, tumble, and clumsily play with
each other. Nevertheless, it is important to understand what is
taking place during this time. What looks like good old puppy
fun to us is truly a necessary part to a dog's development.
During this time with siblings, puppies are learning their
place in the "pack." They are figuring out who is the boss, and
they are testing their limits with each other.
When a puppy nips or chews on their sibling too hard, they are
shocked when their sibling lets out a yelp. One of two things
usually occurs at this point. The hurt sibling will either
fight back and nip their sibling in return even harder, or the
hurt pup will refuse to play with the biter any longer. Both of
these approaches work to teach pups how to interact. When pups
are taken from their mother and litter mates too soon, they
miss out on this much needed character and personality
training.
If your puppy is chewing everything in site, it can be very
frustrating. Who wants to come home to find an expensive pair
of shoes torn apart or feathers from pillows floating in the
air? I know of one particular couple who came home to find
their entire couch shredded down to the springs. Their two pups
were snoozing in the midst of all the mess oblivious to their
naughty deed. Also, it is hard for children and adults to be
around a puppy who thinks that fingers, toes and pant legs are
an invitation for teething and biting. Situations like this are
why many pups find themselves banned to the outdoors, or locked
in a crate for hours on end, while their owners are at work.
It is important to understand that teething is as natural to a
puppy as teething is to a human infant. It is just a fact of
life. You cannot expect your puppy to not want to chew. It
helps her teeth come through the gums, and it also promotes the
development of her adult teeth under the gums. Puppies see no
differentiation between a bone and a hairbrush. Both serve the
purpose to a puppy. In fact, most puppies will sometimes seek
out items that have their owners scent if they are having
separation anxiety. So, it is important that you teach your pup
from day one proper chewing behaviors. If not, your puppy will
assume everything in the home is at her disposal whenever it
suits her.
The best advice is to go out and purchase your puppy some chew
toys. These toys should be mentally stimulating to your pup. If
not, your pup will soon tire of them and return to the piano
leg! Some chew toys can even be purchased which have treats
inside. These treats take some work to get to. Your pup can
spend hours figuring out how to chew on these toys in the right
manner to reach the yummy inside. Once your puppy has learned
there are items in her home which provide her with a snack, she
will tire of your shoes, furniture and clothing. It is good to
stock up on the chew toys which seem to stimulate your pup and
occupy her time the most. You should only leave one or two of
these out at a time. You should also rotate the toys to ensure
she doesn't get bored.
The important thing to remember about chew toys is that you
should not purchase ones that have a hidden bell or other
device which can pose as a choking hazard. You should also
avoid toys that have been chemically treated.
When your pup gets overly rambunctious and starts nipping and
chewing on you, you should handle the situation like her mother
and litter mates would. This is especially important if you have
a pup which was taken from its mother and siblings rather early.
When your pup starts nibbling on your person, or clothing, you
should let out a noise that lets her know it hurt. This is not
a problem if she has actually nipped at your skin! But, you
should also put on your acting hat and let out a yelp if she is
pulling on your shoe laces or pant leg. When you do this, it
will usually startle her. You should immediately walk away from
your dog, or leave her in the area alone.
It will take consistency and repetition for your puppy to get
the message that what she is doing is wrong. However, if she is
a slow learner, you can let out your "yelp" and put her in her
crate. You shouldn't be harsh about the manner, as this will
only confuse her. Once she is in her crate, she may turn on the
tears and start trying to manipulate you with her whiney groans
of dissatisfaction. When this occurs, you should never take her
out. Wait until she has stopped her tantrum and then release
her. When you let her out, be affectionate with her and let her
know all is well. You should not hold a grudge, as your dog is
incapable of understanding why you are angry. Also, when you
place her in her crate, it should only be for a few minutes . .
. unless she is having a full-blown tantrum. Then you should
wait until she quiets. If you are consistent with this
approach, your pup will soon learn that when she nips, chews or
bites she will have to go to time out.
Puppies love to be handled and may affectionately want to play
with you like she would her litter mates. It is perfectly fine
for a pup to want to lick or even playfully hold your fingers
in her mouth as you play. This is normal, and a form of
bonding. However, any form of aggression or pressure should be
promptly discouraged. Puppies usually learn by four months what
is appropriate in regards to chewing . . . if their owners are
consistent with training.
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