Letter Confirming the Issue of a Formal Verbal Warning for Misconduct Or Poor Performance

Pets2impress Ltd. T:(0191) 4564823 M: 07882185356 www.pets2impress.com

What to do about play biting –

Play biting is a very natural part of being a puppy. It relates back to when they were with their litter mates. In the litter puppies excitedly run at other puppies and bite them to encourage them to play. The other puppies would have responded and bitten back and a happy rough and tumble game would have then begun. Unlike your puppies litter mates, we have thin skin and no fur, and when puppies bite us with their raiser sharp teeth, it hurts. Therefore it is important to teach your puppy to play more appropriate games instead.

Step one

At first games with toys may be a poor substitute for rough and tumble biting games, however if these are the only games puppy is allowed to play with you then he will soon begin to enjoy this form of play.

Step two

Until your puppy has learnt not to bite humans always have a toy ready whenever you interact with him. Offer the toy so that it can be bitten instead of you. Keep the toy wriggling enticingly so that your puppy is attracted to it. If your puppy bites you instead of the toy, try and keep that part of your body still and attempt to attract him back to the toy by wriggling it furiously.

Step three

Always try and keep as still as possible if your puppy bites you give no reaction if possible. Your puppy will soon realise how unrewarding it is to bite you. When your puppy does play with his toy instead of biting you offer plenty praise and reward. This will quickly learn your puppy that he/she will gain the required attention if he/she plays with their toy instead of biting you.

BEATING BITING

If your puppy continues to decide your hand is a much better attraction than a wriggling toy and you find his/her bites are becoming more and more painful then you need to let your puppy know that he is hurting you. To do this, say ‘ouch’ loudly or let out a big scream as soon as you have been bitten, stand up slowly and move away, ignoring your puppy. This will help your puppy to learn that hard bites result in the end of a game and a loss of social contact.

TIPS** be patient with your puppy and keep encouraging him to play fun games with his toys. Supervise young children playing with your puppy and stop any games that involve the puppy biting on skin or clothes.