Basic manners, bite inhibition, and barking

Bite inhibition

All puppies bite. It is how they explore the world. Until a few weeks ago, your puppy was learning bite pressure from their littermates. When one puppy bit too hard, the other yelped and play stopped. That feedback loop is how puppies learn to be gentle with their mouths.

Now you are filling in for the littermates. Your job is not to stop mouthing entirely. It is to teach them to control the pressure. When they bite too hard, make a short "ow" or simply stop playing and briefly withdraw attention. That is the signal. Keep a chew toy nearby to redirect them to something appropriate.

Avoid roughhousing with your hands. If hands become toys, they will stay toys.

Setting house rules

Decide early what is allowed and what is not, and be consistent across everyone in the household. If one person lets the puppy on the couch and another does not, the puppy gets confused, not trained.

Barking

• Figure out the reason first — boredom, alert, frustration, attention-seeking. The fix depends on the cause.
• Do not reward the barking. Wait for a brief pause, then mark and reward the quiet.
• Meet the underlying need. A puppy who is mentally tired barks less than a puppy who is bored.
• Avoid yelling. To a puppy, it can sound like you are barking along with them.

A note on teething

Around three to four months, your puppy will start losing baby teeth and growing adult teeth. This lasts until about six to seven months. During this window, chewing goes from frequent to relentless. Frozen Kongs and rubber chew toys help relieve sore gums. Avoid hard bones, antlers, and other rock-hard chews. They can crack teeth at any age, and developing teeth are especially vulnerable.

When to call a trainer

A good puppy class gives your dog a chance to practice manners around other dogs and gives you the skills to handle what comes next. It is one of the best investments you can make. We are glad to share trusted recommendations.