Why does my dog nip and play bite?

There are a range of reasons your dog may continue to nibble and nip including:

• Playing
  
  Most of the time, we are dealing with a cheeky dog who is having a bit of fun. They don’t likely realise just how sharp their teeth are and how sensitive our skin can be. For them, mouthing or a play bite often results in a hand or foot that moves and a loud yelp; what fun! The more we react, the more they are likely to think it is all a big game. Work hard on not reacting and making your hand or foot limp when they bite it. Act disinterested and don’t make noise. Dogs will quickly find this reaction boring. When they play nicely, give them lots of praise and training treats to encourage them.

• Teething
  
  From about the ages of 4 to 7 months, dogs are teething. This can be uncomfortable, and chewing can provide some relief. Dogs will choose anything from shoes, toys or even us to satisfy their need. To steer them on the right path, make sure they have plenty of teething toys and puppy chews. 

Top Tip: A cloth soaked in saltless broth or gravy (that does not contain any garlic or onion) can be frozen and then given to the dog to ease any gum inflammation and provide a welcome distraction to their aching mouths.

• Attention-seeking
  
  For many dogs, their idea of hell is being ignored. Some would actually choose negative attention over no attention at all. So, they may learn to chew on furniture because they know it gets a reaction. A gentle push and a loud ‘no!’ is a break in monotony and they are pleased to have gotten some attention. Avoid this negative behaviour by ensuring your dog is kept occupied with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

• Anxiety
  
  Nervous dogs may nibble and chew in an effort to ‘self-soothe’. Dogs may also lick their paws or howl. If you are concerned your dog is anxious, speak to their vet. They may well benefit from interventions such as a behaviour modification programme, calming supplements and a calming diet (such as our Calm & Relaxed kibble). For these dogs, use calming treats (such as our Turkey & Hemp treats) to reward desired behaviour.

A more extreme version of this would be Separation Anxiety; whereby dogs become highly stressed when left alone. Some will chew so much that they damage your property and their teeth. This disorder requires professional attention.

• A bad habit
  
  For some, their chomping and chewing has been going on so long that it has simply become part of normal life. What may have started as a tool to ease the pain of toothing can become a lifelong bad habit if not nipped in the bud. Try to re-direct your dog’s attention and reward them with some training treats such as our new ‘Meaty Treats’ when they do as we ask. This kind of positive reinforcement training works well as dogs inherently like to please their owners.

Remember that a dog using their mouth to bite and nibble is a normal part of their development. It is up to us to direct them towards something more positive and to encourage the kind of behaviour we want to see.