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A puppy nibbling on your fingers may seem cute and harmless, but when he grows up, biting can become a hard habit to break. Join Expert Pet Trainer Kathy Santo as she explains the reasons puppies bite and what you can do to change their behavior.
Hi, I'm Kathy Santo with IAMS, and today we're going to discuss the dangers of allowing puppy biting, the importance of playing correctly, and how to stop the unwanted biting behavior.
It's normal and even cute when your puppy nibbles and lunges at your hands. Since your puppy has been exposed to only other puppies in the litter, who naturally play with biting and mouthing, it would make perfect sense why he would assume that playing with you wouldn't be different. But as puppies' teeth grow, and their bodies become stronger, what was once cute nibbling eventually turns into uncomfortable, or even dangerous, rough play and bites.
Since biting is an unacceptable type of play, it's important to teach your pup how to enjoy playing games with toys instead of your hand. Playing is a healthy, natural activity that helps build the bond between you and your puppy. This also affects your puppy's train ability-- sitting, waiting, learning tricks, not pulling on the leash, even to stop biting.
Before teaching your puppy not to bite, it's important to train your puppy to decrease bite pressure. Allow your puppy to begin mouthing and nibbling at your hand. When he bites down hard, yell 'ouch,' so he's startled and stops for a second. Continue allowing him to mouth your hand, making sure to speak up every time he bites too hard, so your puppy can learn your threshold for what is acceptable and what isn't.
Once your puppy understands your feedback about the strength of his bite, you can begin to reduce biting. The best way to teach your puppy not to bite is to redirect him to a toy or a chew bone. Simply give your dog a firm 'no,' and replace whatever he was biting with something he is allowed to chew.
If your puppy is three to six months old, there is a good chance he may be teething, so he might be trying to reduce discomfort by chewing. Try giving him an ice cube to chew on. It'll numb his gums and help alleviate the pain.
My favorite trick to get puppies to stop biting is to exaggerate, and pretend they've injured me, their friend. By pretending their nip actually hurt you, by pulling your hand away, yelling 'ouch,' and stop playing, you're replicating what other litter mates would do if another puppy were to cause them pain.
Managing and controlling puppy biting problems can be a major challenge for dog lovers. Puppy biting or nipping starts out as a bit of fun, but needs to be controlled quickly to avoid ongoing problems. Training your dog depends on a good relationship built on love and trust. It takes time to build a working partnership, and the more time and patience you have with your puppy from day one, the more obedient he'll be. Dogs want to please.
I'm Kathy Santo with IAMS, and I hope you found this as helpful as you welcome your new addition to your family.
Feeding your dog the right nutrients and a complete, balanced diet doesn’t have tobe a head-scratcher. Find out how to choose the right dog food, how often to feedyour dog, how to handle treats and supplements, and much more.
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So you’ve found a new cat you can’t wait to bring home to your growing fur family.While it may be tempting to simply put all cats in a room and let them work out the introductions, this can cause a lot of stress for new and resident cats alike. Here area few ways to help the introduction go smoothly.
How Do I Decide Which Food to Feed?
When deciding which pet food is right for your pet, consider these three factors:your dog’s life stage, lifestyle and overall condition. Life stage refers to whether your dog is a puppy, an adult or a senior. Lifestyle refers to how active or inactive your dog is normally. Condition refers to your dog’s overall health and body weight.
How Often Should I Feed My Dog?
Puppies should be fed three times a day from weaning (3 to 6 weeks) to 4 months of age. After 4 months, they should be fed twice a day. Most dogs should continue to be fed twice a day throughout their life, although some pets do well with one feeding.
How Much Should I Give My Dog to Eat?
The amount to feed your dog depends on their age, size and activity level. Feeding guidelines, which list the daily-recommended portion, are included on all IAMS™packages. Start feeding with this amount and adjust according to your pet’s needs.Remember to divide the portion accordingly if you feed more than once a day.
When Should I Switch My Puppy to Adult Dog Food?
You should switch your puppy to a premium adult dog food like IAMS™ Lamb and Rice Recipe when they reach adult height. Small breeds that weigh less than 20pounds can usually start eating adult food between 9 and 12 months of age. Medium breeds weighing between 20 and 50 pounds can eat adult food at 12 to 14months of age. Large and giant breeds that weigh 50 or more pounds can transition from puppy food to adult dog food between 12 to 24 months of age. If you’re notsure, consult your vet.
What Is The Best Way to Introduce a New Diet to My Dog?
When changing your dog’s diet, it’s important to slowly introduce new food. Start by offering your dog’s daily portion in a ratio of 25% new food to 75% current food. During the next three days, gradually increase the amount of new food anddecrease the amount of the old food.
Should I Feed My Dog Both Wet and Dry Food?
Wet food is an excellent treat that can be fed alone or mixed with dry food. Although IAMS™ wet dog foods are nutritionally complete and balanced, you don’t have to offer wet food at every feeding. IAMS™ dry dog foods are formulated with high-quality protein sources such as such as chicken or lamb, and contain all the essential nutrients pets need. The crunchy texture of dry food also promotes healthy teeth and gums, and aids in overall good oral hygiene. In addition, some ofour dry dog foods contain a dental ingredient, sodium hexametaphosphate (HMP),to help block tartar build up on teeth during and after meals.
What Should I Feed My Dog If They’re Overweight?
If your dog is considered overweight for their breed and size, feeding a weight control dog food like IAMS™ Adult Healthy Weight, along with increasing their exercise and movement, can help address the issue. Don’t simply feed your dog less food — they still need to consume adequate protein, essential fatty acids and other nutrients even while they’re losing weight. And make sure to consult your vet before putting your dog on a weight management program.
What Should I Feed My Pregnant or Nursing Dog?
If your dog is pregnant or nursing, her nutritional needs have changed. The best food for a pregnant dog is a high-quality, nutrient-dense pet food formulated for all life stages, or for growth. A pregnant dog needs to consumer 25% to 50% more food than normal by the end of her pregnancy. A nursing dog should be fed a nutrient-dense diet such as IAMS™ Puppy and needs to eat two to three times her normal food requirement so she can nourish her puppies.
Why Does My Dog Need to Eat Protein?
Protein is an essential nutrient for dogs: It gives dogs amino acids that support healthy skin and a healthy coat, as well as muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. High-quality animal-based proteins, like those found in chicken, lamb, fish and beef, contain all of the essential amino acids that dogs need to achieve optimal health.
How Can I Learn More about Pet Nutrition?
Contact MARS Petcare toll-free at 1-800-675-3849.
Will My Dog Be Bored Eating the Same Food All the Time?
No. Boredom with food is a human trait. Dogs are creatures of habit and usually are happy with just one food. Dogs generally eat to meet their energy or nutritional needs. They have very short digestive systems, and if their diet is abruptly or constantly changed, digestive disturbances can occur. Also, constant changes can make your dog a finicky eater.
Is It OK to Moisten Dry Food?
Adding water will not change the nutritional value of a dry pet food. However, once moisture is added, make sure your dog eats it relatively soon — and also discard any uneaten portion to avoid spoilage. Feeding dry food is usually encouraged because of the benefit to your dog’s dental health.
Will It Hurt My Dog If They Eat My Cat’s Food?
Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements and should not eat each other’s food. For example, cats require a much higher level of taurine in their diet. An occasional venture into each other’s bowls will not be harmful, but is not recommended on a regular basis.
Can I Supplement Your Dog Foods with Vitamins, Minerals,Oils, etc.?
Our foods are nutritionally complete and balanced. Adding vitamins, minerals or oils can offset the balance the food provides. One of the benefits of feeding a high quality product is that it has been carefully balanced in proper ratios to provide optimal nutrition — nothing needs to be added.
