Biting is a common behavior in puppies, especially during the teething phase and when they are playing. A puppy biting can result from different reasons. But what are those reasons? This article will explain why a puppy bites so much.
Here are seven reasons why puppies bite so much:
1. To Explore World
Puppies use their mouths to explore the world around them. They will bite so much to learn about objects and textures.
2. Teething
Another reason that makes a puppy bite so much is teething. A puppy goes through the teething period at around 12 to 16 weeks old. At this stage, it can be very painful, so a puppy looks for ways to soothe the pain by biting.
3. Overexcited
A puppy may not have learned to regulate emotions. When it becomes overexcited, it starts to lose inhibition and self-control, leading to it biting so much.
4. Frustrated
A puppy may bite much using the teeth to display frustration or anger. This may occur if a puppy lacks access to something fun, has an inability to play, is hungry, or is bored.
5. They are Very Tired
When a puppy is overtired, it may lead to increased biting. This is because a tired puppy’s self-control diminishes, and he becomes irritable and unable to moderate this behavior, leading to much biting.
6. Playing with Mouth
A puppy is often a form of play because it is a natural behavior. It is how it explores the environment and interacts with its surroundings. For instance, when your puppy is playing with you using its mouth and you try to run away, it will chase after you and may bite so much after the chase.
6. To Communicate
A puppy also bites so much to communicate with humans or other puppies. For example, sometimes your puppy tries to communicate a need to go potty or say no to whatever you are doing.
7. Some Breeds Bite More
Some breeds, like herding dogs, are genetically predisposed to chasing and biting so much.
8 Ways to Stop a Puppy Biting So Much
Puppy biting may be a normal thing, and there are things you can do to make it stop.
However, the following are seven ways to stop your puppy from biting so much:
1. Give Healthy Chew Toys
Provide appropriate chew toys to redirect this behavior to these toys. The right chew toys will help your puppy burn off some energy and fill its need to nibble.
2. Socialization
Ensure your puppy socializes with other dogs and people to learn appropriate playing behaviors.
3. Engage in Training Sessions
Enroll your puppy in a training session to teach basic commands and reinforce positive behavior. This will motivate your puppy to behave well and reduce the desire to bite too much.
4. Teach Bite Inhibition
When your puppy bites too hard during play, let out a high-pitched yelp or say ouch or no to mimic the sound their littermates would make. This may discourage the puppy from biting so much.
5. Give Puppy a Timeout
If your puppy becomes too aggressive during play, give it a short timeout to calm it down. This can teach it that biting leads to the end of play.
6. Teach a Puppy to Leave It
Teaching your puppy to leave is a powerful way to keep it from biting. It helps you manage your puppy’s behavior and distract him from biting.
7. Use Positive Reinforcement
Reward your puppy when it chews on toys instead of biting you. Use treats and praise to reinforce good behavior.
8. Consult Professional
Consult a professional if the behavior persists and seek guidance.
Can a 3 Month Old Puppy Cause Rabies?
A 3-month-old puppy cannot cause rabies because rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal through a bite. A puppy of this age is not born with rabies and does not possess the virus unless bitten by a rabid animal.
Rabies has a longer incubation period; therefore, a puppy three months old that has been exposed to the virus would not be capable of transmitting rabies.
If you are bitten by a puppy, it is important to take the bite seriously and seek medical attention within 24 hours to get antibiotic injections to prevent complications. This is because a puppy can carry bacteria in the mouth that can lead to infections.
What Happens If an Unvaccinated Puppy Bites You?
If an unvaccinated puppy bites you, it may lead you to the following four potential problems;
1. Consult a Health Professional
If an unvaccinated puppy bites you, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately.
2. Risk of Rabies
There will be a potential risk of contracting rabies from the bite if not vaccinated. Rabies is a serious and fatal disease if not treated.
3. Risk of Injury
An unvaccinated puppy bite can cause injuries like wounds and scratches, which can lead to infection if not cleaned and treated.
4. Chance of Tetanus
Tetanus is a bacterial infection that can result from open wounds. If you are bitten, it is important to ensure the tetanus vaccination is up to date.
Can You Get Rabies from a Puppy Bite?
Yes, it is possible to get rabies from a puppy bite if the puppy is infected with the rabies virus and if its saliva gets into your body.
Puppies stop biting so much and teething between 4 and 6 months of age. However, this will depend on, from one puppy to another, consistent training, socialization, and teaching bite inhibition.
Biting and growling in a 12-week-old puppy can be a normal habit during play as it explores the world with its mouth.
Puppy can hyper and bite at night due to lack of exercise, attention seeking, and teething discomfort. This behavior can be managed by making sure a puppy gets enough exercise and providing chew toys to alleviate teething discomfort. Also, consider crate training and establish a consistent daily routine like set times for meals, exercise, and sleep.
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