Don’t Bite the Hand that Feeds You (and pets you)

So many people get mouthing from their puppy when they try to pet the puppy. The teething stage in puppies is very frustrating and they need to put their teeth on appropriate things that are digestible. Puppies also need to learn that it is not appropriate to put their mouths on people. So, in addition to mouth-on play with other puppies at least 3-5 times a week, they need an outlet for that chewing. While it is tempting to just put a chew in the puppy’s crate or x-pen, there is something to be said about this bonding time each day. Hold the edible chew with one hand (this is a beef esophagus) and pet your puppy with the other hand. As in all interactions with your puppy, teeth on skin is a time out (back in the crate or x-pen). Also be sure nobody in the household is wrestling with the puppy using their hands. This is the opposite of what we want to teach the puppy. The rule is that puppy teeth should be on a chew or a toy, never on human skin.