well my chiuaua is 10 weeks old now. she's been chewing her toys all day and started chewing my carpet, but i stopped her from doing that. when we are playing she puts my hand in her mouth and slightly puts presssure. she isn't actually biting down it's very light. does she know not to bite me? and is she teething or what?
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how do i know the difference between teething and biting?
jerome707
Jan 08, 2006 05:00 PM
Replies (2)
pharrow
Jan 09, 2006 07:38 AM
My sense is that your dog is mouthing rather than biting, but if the mouthing isn't redirected (to toys and appropriate things to chew), it can get uncomfortable. Many people train their dogs NEVER to use their teeth on humans in play (others don't mind if the dog doesn't bite down). There are many options for training your dog to be less mouthy: some people say "ouch" or "no bite," pull their hand away, and stop playing. Others give the dog a toy to chew on (again stopping play until the dog calms down). There are many other methods too, but I think it's important to make your dog aware that teeth shouldn't be used on you.
PHReign
Jan 09, 2006 11:12 AM
Dog/puppies have what is called "bite inhibition" and that is how much they hold back from biting down on something or someone. Many puppies learn this from their mother and litter mates in teh formative weeks.
It's your job to reinforce this habit and make it what you want it to be. In my home, teeth are not allowed on human skin (I have young children). Others have different "rules" about what is acceptable to them. Whatever you decide, be consistent and do not let the pressure get any more than you want it to be. It's easy, when the pup puts teeth on you, say "ouch" and walk away from playing. No big deal, just stop play for a bit and remove your hands. Resume playing after a short period of time (after the puppy has settled down a bit) and continue. Be consistent and they pick up on the idea that human skin is really fragile very fast. Don't let yourself be a chew toy for a dog. That's just not a good idea.
Have fun with your puppy and keep us posted on it's progress.
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PHReign
Email me: HReign@pethobbyist.com" target="_blank">PHReign@pethobbyist.com
Dear dog,
I can not buy anything larger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think that I will continue to sleep on the couch to ensure your comfort. Look at videos of dogs sleeping, they can actually curl up in a ball. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to your fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straigt out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space used is nothing more than doggy sarcasm. 
