Have you recently adopted a puppy? Congratulations! Few things can bring as much joy and laughter into our lives as a new puppy. Fido will always be charming, but he’s almost impossibly adorable at this special stage. However, that cuteness does come with a price. You’ll need to do quite a bit of pet parenting during that toddler phase, in order to help your pooch grow into a polite, friendly adult dog. One thing you’ll need to address is biting. A local vet offers some advice on this below.
Offer Suitable Chews
Part of the reason that puppies bite is to help them cope with the pain of teething. You’ll need to make sure that Fido always has plenty of suitable chew toys. Look for durable playthings that will hold up to lots of abuse. Kong toys are also good for this.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Never yell at or punish your furry friend for misbehaving. This may only make him scared of you! If your puppy does something wrong, say ‘No’ in a firm tone. Then ignore him for a while. A bit of a time out may help little Fido calm down.
Puppyproofing
This one is more about safety than petiquette. Fido often uses his senses to explore the world, and he may try to learn more about something by, well, eating it. Remove or secure anything that could be dangerous, such as toxic plants, plastic bags and ties, medicines, chemicals, and any small or sharp objects. You’ll also need to keep clothing in hampers, closets, or drawers, and store personal items, like purses and phones, out of paws’ reach.
Be Consistent
Consistency is always very important. Your canine pal won’t know the difference between similar objects. Don’t give your canine companion an old pair of sneakers, and then expect him to leave your new ones alone. If you need to tell Fido not to chew or bite something, use the same vocal commands each time.
Taste Deterrent
If your four-legged buddy constantly tries to bite your hand, try using taste deterrent. In some cases, yelping—as a puppy would—can help him realize his mistake.
Seek Help
No luck? Don’t be shy about enlisting a professional trainer. The cost of a few obedience sessions will be well worth it in the long run!As your local veterinary clinic, we’re here to help! Call us anytime!
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