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How do we stop our puppy from chewing?

Chewing is a normal part of a puppy's development particularly during the teething process. While we need to actively discourage chewing human fingers or clothes, we do need to provide suitable chewing materials. You can offer your pup any number of toys and chews that are specifically theirs. It is a good idea for you to retain control of these toys, offering them and removing them to reinforce your position as leader.

If your pup starts chewing your fingers with their needle sharp teeth, make a suitable noise and move away. The puppy will learn that chewing humans is unacceptable, but does not need to become anxious or frightened by your response. Wait a few minutes until the pup becomes a little calmer then offer a chew toy as an alternative and praise the pup when he or she plays appropriately.

Watch puppies in normal play with other pups or their mum. They soon let each other know when the play is becoming too rough! Continue this education with your new pup at home so that he or she learns how to control the strength of the jaws.