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PUPPIES NEED THEIR MOMS LONGER
Having received a couple
of emails recently regarding owners with problems with
biting PUPPIES NEED THEIR MOMS LONGER.
Having received a couple of emails recently regarding owners
with problems with biting Pomeranians has led me to put
together this little information article. Please note, the
information shared here is my personal opinion based on my
past experience with a couple of puppies we brought home.
One was a Yorkshire terrier puppy, while the other was a
Pomeranian puppy, thereby confirming this is not a breed
specific problem.
Both puppies were taken from their mothers at about six
weeks of age, and while some breeders feel this is OK, it
most definitely is not in the best interest of the puppy.
Puppies need the discipline of their mothers and siblings.
They learn bite inhibition, social skills they will need
when they get out into that big world. By learning bite
inhibition, they learn how hard they can bite without
hurting the animal or person being bitten. If they are
removed from their family too young (I feel anything before
three months is too young), usually they are teething, and
their mouths hurt they want to bite. If your hand or toes
are in the way, they will be bitten. And if your little
puppy has not learned any better, that bite will hurt. That
is when a problem arises.
New owners now think they have an aggressive puppy. While
all they have is a baby needing the discipline they would
have received from their mom or siblings had they not been
taken away so young. Experienced owners can usually handle
this quite well, however, new owners don't realize how to
deal with this, and treat it as bad behavior using negative
discipline thinking it will help. Unfortunately, the
negative corrections only make the problem worse and it
becomes a vicious circle. Puppy bites, puppy is shook, or
handled roughly, so puppy bites more - you get the idea. The
puppy needs to be treated as he would have been treated by
his mom or siblings. If puppy bites, a very shrill OUCH and
removing yourself from his play (only for a second or two)
will be a start to getting rid of the unwanted biting. Your
puppy will not want you to stop playing, and will soon learn
if he bites too hard, you will no longer play. Puppies need
lots of chew toys especially while he is teething.
Please, be aware of breeders who let their puppies leave
before 10-12 weeks. Make sure your new puppy has learned
what he needs to know to make him a happy, well adjusted,
socialized member of your family. And that means staying
with his mom until he has learned that important bite
inhibition.
Roberta Malott
PONDSIDE TOYS
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