Welcoming a new puppy into the household is always exciting
? everyone wants to have a cuddle and play with it.
However, sometimes the puppy's play behaviour is not what the owners expect.
Many puppies play too roughly and often their tiny, razor sharp teeth unintentionally
hurt. Owners are often distressed by this play behaviour and interpret it
as a sign of poor temperament in their puppy.
However, just as parents must teach their children how to play with other
children and that hitting and biting is not acceptable, puppies must also
be taught how to play with people in an acceptable manner.
As soon as puppies' eyes open (they are born blind and eyes do not open until
about 14 days old) they start to play with their littermates. They bite each
other around the ears and neck, and wrestle. It is all part of growing up.
They use their mouths to explore their environment, much like human babies
use their hands. Play fighting teaches them who is the strongest pup and helps
establish the hierarchy but it also teaches them how not to hurt each other
in play.
When one puppy bites too hard the puppy being bitten yelps loudly, the biter
lets go and the other pup and gets up and walks away, ending the game. This
teaches the puppy doing the biting that if he bites too hard the game ends.
Since dogs are social animals and like to interact with other dogs they are
anxious not to create a situation where other puppies won?Jt play with them.
When a new puppy is taken into a household it is normal for the puppy to 'mouth',
, that is to use its mouth on human hands and ankles when playing. Although
mouthing is normal puppy behaviour, it is not acceptable behaviour for the
puppy to use its mouth on humans, even in play.
New puppy owners must establish what is and what is not acceptable behaviour
from the puppy as soon as they bring the puppy home. In many cases the breeder
may have commenced this training but unless the new owner reinforces the message
the puppy will soon slip into bad habits. The best way to stop mouthing is
to give the puppy toys to chew. If the puppy chews on your hand, the moment
the pressure increases you should "yelp" but leave your hand in place. When
the pressure is released, slowly remove your hand from the puppy's mouth.
Then give him the toy to chew.
Hitting a pup or raising a hand to it as a threat often has the opposite effect
as the hand becomes a toy, encouraging the dog to grab hold. It is neither
necessary nor acceptable to hit a dog to train it .
Shrieking and yelling, or running from the pup rewards it for its behaviour.
Young children often react in this way so it is best to supervise their time
with the pup so that this does not happen. Puppies can also get hurt when
children jump away quickly and step on the pup.
Some owners expect the puppy to "grow out" of bad behaviour but it is unlikely
to do this. Training is the best way to change a dog's behaviour. Many veterinary
clinics conduct puppy kindergartens where new owners can obtain expert advice
on training their puppy. These also allow the puppy to socialise with strangers
and also other pups.
Author: Petcare Information & Advisory
Service Australia Pty Ltd
