Puppy biting

[IVFNewbie]

Hi! Is this normal for a puppy of ten weeks old?

[Booboostwo]

Yes, normal although some puppies bite more and harder than others. This seems to be at one extreme of the scale.

Also, I would try not to allow it to continue to the point of causing that many wounds. There are a number of techniques, it's a bit of trail and error:

• some puppies stop if you keep your hand still and make a really high pitched noise. They are the ones that are concerned they may have hurt you, decide you are super delicate and stop.
  

• some puppies do well with lack of attention, so as soon as the puppy bites you remove yourself from the situation. Biting means no more play, life has consequences.
  

• distraction can work with some puppies. Focus their energy on some training.
  

• some puppies have a very strong need to bite. For these puppies you need to provide a suitable alternative. Have a massive box full of different chews and give them out liberally.

[Sonichu]

"Really don't think it's a problem that I'm concerned about being bitten hard and blood being drawn on myself or the DC. Plenty of people on this thread said it's painful."

Of course it's painful. Puppies have razor sharp needle teeth and aren't afraid to use them so don't be surprised if they draw blood from you a few times.

(And a cockerpoo/welsh terrier cross sounds like the biter from hell tbh lol)

[LochJessMonster]

Wow, biting/nipping is normal but the scars in that photo from @lustforlife are crazy!

They won’t all draw blood, you need to stop whatever is causing the nipping immediately- so play stops, you stand up, move away from puppy, turn away etc

[vanillandhoney]

I'm concerned about being bitten hard and blood being drawn on myself or the DC. Plenty of people on this thread said it's painful

It's true - it is painful. Puppies have teeth like needles and it hurts when they bite you - it's one of the reasons people don't recommend puppies and young children together, because inevitably the child will get bitten by the teething puppy and it won't be pleasant for them at all.

The best thing to do is be there 100% of the time - if you can't be there to supervise then the puppy needs to come with you or be crated somewhere safe away from the children. That's probably going to be the case for a good few years at least.

[MiniChoc]

Thanks for your useful and helpful comment @ALovelyBitOfSquirrel - what would I do without you pointing that out? Can't believe I thought it was a shark.....

Really don't think it's a problem that I'm concerned about being bitten hard and blood being drawn on myself or the DC. Plenty of people on this thread said it's painful.

[midnightstar66]

Yes but it's important to teach him he shouldn't be doing it. Always have a tug toy to hand. We use a stern 'ah' when she bites quickly replace with toy and praise/treat when she takes that instead

[CMOTDibbler]

Its normal for them to try it, so I literally have chewy toys absolutely everywhere ready to give them. Absolutely zero tolerance of any part of a human in their mouth (I often find people think its cute for a little puppy to have their finger in their mouth), so theres no confusion. I do a sharp Ah Ah, and swiftly remove the human bit and give them a chewy. They are praised for chewing the right thing.

IMO, puppies get ultra bitey and scratchy when they are over tired and over stimulated. Is yours getting enough naps and downtime?

[Hoppinggreen]

No idea if it’s normal but our GR was a Bitey little bugger but not to that extent. He rarely drew blood but we did have loads of bites and scratches

[vanillandhoney]

Yep, it's normal. Puppies have needle teeth and when they bite, it hurts!

[heatseeker14]

Our puppy used to be very nippy. We tried using toys to stop him biting us. He would always prefer to nibble on us though. He would hang off my husband’s trousers when he came in from work. Eventually we had to use 2 minute timeouts because toys and yelping didn’t deter him. Ignoring him didn’t work for us. He would continue to nip to try and get our attention. My boys preferred to stay out of the way on the sofa when he went on the rampage. It doesn’t last for long though. 12 weeks was the worst point for us. Our pup started to calm down around 16 weeks. By 5 months he would only occasionally nip if he got hyped up, but it was a lot easier to stop him by then.

[copycopypaste]

Mine is now 18 weeks old and has lost her front teeth. It's bliss at the moment as she gums everyone to bits at the moment

[copycopypaste]

Buy lots and lots of different chewy things. Just remember it doesn't last forever

[BiteyShark]

I had holes in my jeans when my dog was a puppy as he used to launch himself at me to play and hang on with his teeth

[Unravellingslowly]

Yep. Puppies bite. They use their mouth to find out about the world and they are also teething. Does it have any chew toys?

www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-puppies-biting/

[IVFNewbie]

...thanks all, that's most useful. He's half cockapoo and half welsh terrier, so a bit of a mix up.

[cheesesandwhich]

It was normal for us, mine nipped me on the nose once and broke the skin He's 15 months old now and never bites just some times pulls on my sleeve to open the back door for him. Puppy teeth are like needles!

[Perfidy]

It’s ok to step,away from them if too bitey. Distract with a toy, ignore, and if v bad they are probably tired and need a nap. They nee way more sleep than you and they think. 18 to 20 hours a day.

[frostedviolets]

Blimey!
What breed is it?!

I have a collie and while she put holes in nearly all my clothes she never bit to that extent

[ALovelyBitOfSquirrel]

Absolutely normal! He's a baby!



Shit I hope not, we're collecting a 10 week old puppy soon and your pic has scared me!

It's a puppy ffs, not a Shark 🙄

[GeraltOfRivia]

Yes it's normal for them to want to bite and use their mouths. You need to offer an alternative. They're a baby so don't take it personally but discourage it every single time

[EowynDernhelm]

I have several large breed dogs, and I have never had one of them break the skin and cause bleeding.

Totally normal for puppies to bite / chew at you, but we've always used a combination of yelping and stopping being involved with puppy when it happens, and using distraction - seeing the nipping before it happens and giving them something they are allowed to chew instead. I would not tolerate broken skin at all.

[VladTheDictator]

Yes it’s normal and they are babies who need teaching kindly.

[pilates]

Yep, I did the yelping and he stopped almost straightaway.

[lustforlife]

My puppy was the same (large breed). He grew out of it when he lost his baby teeth. I still have scars on my arms!

[Iadoremylabrador]

We found a hot dog toy from Pets at home was great to shove in our puppy's mouth when he was at his most bitiest, first thing in the morning. They were happy to see you playful bites but still painful and a bit scary to the younger members of the family!