Puppies: There Will Be Teeth

Originally published September 2017; edited and updated August 2023

Koinonia is still here! Although boarding and training has been quiet the past few weeks, I have stayed busy conducting…field research.

Meet Eclair, the service dog candidate!

 
Black lab puppy sitting looking up at the camera

Eclair, Leighann’s foster puppy in training from Service Dogs, Inc.

 

Eclair has been with me for about a month and I should have her for the next year or so if all goes as planned.

The next few blog posts will feature the nitty-gritty of my experience raising a puppy as I get an opportunity to practice what I preach!


Realistic Expectations

Teeth on skin or clothes is the most common problem my puppy clients experience. After living with Eclair for four weeks, here’s my first-hand, real-life, survival-mode perspective on puppy biting:

If you have zero tolerance for teeth on skin or clothes, don't get a puppy.

Puppy nibbling is painful (yes, even for me). It’s irritating. Sometimes it’s damaging. And it is part of having a puppy.*

Mouthing, biting and chewing are very normal, very frequent parts of a puppy's behavior repertoire.

You can absolutely reduce the illegal puppy biting. But, amateur or professional, you cannot entirely eliminate it.

Red scratches courtesy of a client's dog. Not aggression! Just a normal part of being around young dogs.

Red scratches courtesy of a client's dog. Not aggression! Just part of being around young dogs.

My arms and hands attest to the fact that doing it "right" as a professional doesn't completely stop puppy biting. A fun game of tug can turn painful when she jumps to readjust her grip and grabs your hand instead of the toy.

This (and more) has happened to me with Eclair.   

Here, I hold a long rope toy for Eclair to play with. This is a perfectly acceptable way to interact with your puppy and it keeps them from learning bad habits!

Here, I hold a long rope toy for Eclair to play with. This is a perfectly acceptable way to interact with your puppy and it keeps them from learning bad habits!

But what can I do about the biting?!?!

*(Note that while puppy biting is normal, “aggression” is not. If you’re experiencing that or think you might be experiencing that, get in touched with a qualified professional ASAP)

Leighann Hurley, CPDT-KA

Leighann founded Koinonia Dogs in 2014 and has been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer since 2019.

She's a problem-solver by nature and loves creating cooperation through conflict-free communication so both ends of the leash enjoy life together.

Tap to watch the Dog Trainer work

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The Radical Approach

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The Dirt on Dog Parks