Nip Nipping and Play Biting in the Bud

While it is perfectly understandable that dogs play bite and are mouthy, it is not allowable for them to do so under most circumstances.

We need to remember that dogs do not have hands with thumbs to explore and feel their world as we do, so are limited to the use of their mouths for these purposes. As puppies grow they move, feel, taste, touch, smell, pick up, and drop virtually everything that they can get their mouths on or around, including their littermates, in order to learn about their domain. As they do this they are taught by their mother and littermates what is acceptable mouthing and what is not.

If a puppy mouths a littermate too aggressively or too hard, the littermate will squeal loudly and often stop playing or interacting with the offending pup, thus punishing him by isolation. After a short period play resumes. In this way the puppy learns what is an acceptable level of intensity of mouthing or play-biting and what is not. Mother will also punish the puppy for overly aggressive mouthing of her teats while suckling and/or playing and reward him by continuing to allow him to eat or play when he does so appropriately, and punish him if he does not.

To continue reading, please visit DogHealth.com