Ouch, puppy teeth hurt! Dealing with puppy biting can be challenging. While puppies are undeniably cute, they are not polite with their sharp little teeth. Puppy biting can be concerning for pet owners worried about aggression and frustrating for those trying to address it. I’ve boiled this down into 3 easy, effective steps, which can be used to stop puppy biting.
Puppy biting is a normal developmental behavior!
Chances are, your puppy is not aggressive. They are just learning about the world.
Why Do Puppies Bite?
Many puppy owners worry about aggression when their puppies exhibit behaviors like growling, biting, chasing, and grabbing onto their clothes. That’s understandable! None of us got a puppy because we wanted it to bite people and scare kids.
It’s important to understand that this rude puppy behavior is very, very normal and yes, it’s temporary! I’m sorry nobody warned you! Here are three reasons your puppy is biting a lot:
Teething: Puppies, like human babies, go through a teething phase. Chewing helps alleviate the discomfort caused by emerging teeth.
Exploration and Play: Puppies explore the world through their mouths, and biting is a part of their playful nature. They often nip during playtime, but it’s essential to teach them appropriate boundaries. (I will dig into this below!)
Attention-Seeking Behavior: Some puppies resort to biting as a means of seeking attention. If biting results in a reaction, positive or negative, the puppy may repeat the behavior to gain attention.
They are Tired: It’s important to note that overtired puppies tend to be the worst, too. Puppies typically need about 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day, and few rarely get enough! Encourage puppies to nap by providing them with a cozy, safe spot to rest. We love this
1: Replace Puppy Biting with Calm Behavior
The key to this is SLEEP!
Encouraging calm behavior in puppies involves implementing a consistent routine that includes regular feeding, playtime, and rest. Utilize a crate (like this Amazon Basics crate) so that your puppy has a safe, calm space to lay down.
Handle your puppy gently to build trust, and reinforce calm behavior with positive reinforcement such as treats or praise.
Never hit, pinch, scare, or shove your puppy as this kind of training may encourage aggressive and fearful behaviors in the future.
Interactive toys such as a KONG stuffed with frozen canned puppy food can be a wonderful alternative to puppy wrestling and wild play! Kong toys are wildly popular among pet owners for a reason! They are durable and easy to clean, and dogs love them.
Observe patterns in your puppy’s energetic biting tendencies. Identify specific times of the day when this behavior tends to occur; most puppies are pretty consistent about this! Get ahead of the ball by substituting those times with a more appropriate activity, and prevent the behavior from escalating in the first place.
Amazon Basics Dog Crate
Amazon makes a line of quality, affordable dog crates in sizes to fit MOST breeds!
Giant breed dogs must look instead at the 54″ crates from Chewy.
2. Stop Puppy Biting with Appropriate Communication
A common error that pet owners and children make when dealing with a biting, unruly puppy is responding with loud “NOs,” tugging at their clothes, running, and using hands to pinch, shove, or correct the puppy.
While reading this article, you might reflect on instances when you’ve engaged in such behaviors this week. It’s a typical human response, but the reality is that these actions only serve to prolong and encourage puppy-biting behavior.
Keep in mind that young puppies are quite immature. If we react to their immature behavior with fussing, shouting, and corrections that they don’t comprehend, the puppy may interpret these actions as play.
Even worse, certain commonly advised corrections, such as using a spray bottle or shoving a thumb into the puppy’s mouth, do little beyond instilling fear associated with exams, teeth brushing, and grooming.
Discourage puppy biting by practicing the art of ignoring. Demonstrate calm behavior by sighing, crossing your arms, and walking away. It truly is as straightforward as that.
If you are consistent, your puppy will realize that you lose interest in them when they bite you. Allow your puppy to figure this out. It will make them smarter, stronger, and more independent in the long run.
3: Say Ouch & Teach Bite Inhibition
Allowing your puppy to engage in biting and growling during play can be beneficial for their development.
Puppies naturally explore the world through their mouths, and this behavior contributes to the learning of bite inhibition, which is their ability to control teeth and jaws.
When observing young puppies, you’ll notice they bite each other with intensity. The bitten puppy squeals, signaling that the bite is too hard. This communication is instrumental in teaching puppies the appropriate force of their bites.
You can replicate this learning process at home during playtime. When your puppy bites, say “Ouch!” and either walk away or reengage to see if the puppy adjusts. It might be necessary to repeat the “Ouch” to reinforce the message.
Additionally, redirect your biting puppy to a chew or toy, further promoting appropriate chewing behavior.
When Do Puppies Stop Biting?
Puppies typically start to curb their biting behavior as they mature, with significant improvements by the age of six months.
That may seem far away, but time flies! The more consistent you are with your training at home, the faster your puppy will learn.
Remember to teach your children how to deal with the puppy, too! Encourage calm, safe interactions and save the rambunctious play times for when your puppy is more mature.
How have you stopped puppy biting? Leave a comment below!
December is a popular time to get a new Great Dane puppy. I believe that a lot of this is related to the Holidays; puppies are readily available, adorable, and popular to receive or give for Christmas!
If you are new to the world of Great Danes, or ready for a refresher, let’s jump in. I’ll be covering:
Great Dane puppy nutrition
Crate and potty training
Training and socialization basics
Favorite must-have Great Dane puppy products
What to Feed a Great Dane Puppy
This is arguably the most common question we see in the community. Because Great Danes grow so quickly, they are prone to a number of devastating growth disorders such as knuckling, hip dysplasia, Pano, and Angular Limb Deformity.
Nutrition plays a big role in these disorders. Great Dane puppies cannot eat just any food that you pick out at the pet store. They require nutrition that is balanced specifically to support their growth.
Lucky for you, we made a list! No need to deep dive, research, or read a million labels. (Though, if you are a science nerd like we are, we have TONS of great deep-dive style Great Dane puppy nutrition articles, which I will link below).
Great Dane puppies should be fed a well-researched large OR giant-breed puppy food until 18-24 months of age.
So simple. Here is the list to choose from. These foods are safe, nutritious, correctly balanced, and packed with everything your Great Dane puppy needs to thrive. If they are on this list, it’s because we believe in the science behind them:
Ethical Great Dane breeders will have already started the process of potty training your puppy. The good news is that if you chose an exceptional breeder, this process should be a breeze!
For puppies that weren’t given a head-start, expect to put a little more time in. Your patience, however, will pay off.
To potty train a Great Dane puppy, follow these steps:
Keep your puppy near you and supervised at ALL times
Go outside often, especially after naps, meals, training sessions, and play
Don’t expect your puppy to hold their bladder for more than 2 hours at first, even overnight
When your puppy does their business outdoors, immediately praise AND offer treats
If your puppy has an accident indoors, ignore it. Clean it up with Rocco & Roxie Urine Destroyer (my personal favorite, it smells amazing and works like a dream)
Great Dane puppies grow up incredible fast! While potty training your puppy may seem like a chore, it will be a distant memory before you know it.
How to Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy
Hopefully you’ve chosen to crate train your Great Dane puppy! Crates are not cruel; they are a safe space for your puppy and may become their favorite place in the house!
Use a West Paw Toppl Toy before naps; stuff it with soaked kibble (freezing this can make an extra challenge) or balanced canned food (in moderation at first)
Encourage positive, stress-free interactions with the crate; not crying and panic
Play the “Catch & Release” game below
To play “CATCH & RELEASE”
Toss a treat into the crate and say “CRATE!”
Then toss a treat outside of the crate and say “FREE!”.
With repetition, your puppy will quickly bounce into and out of the crate on command.
Gradually add time between the two commands (increasing the time that your puppy is inside of the crate before being released) and begin closing the door, even if only for a moment at first.
Play this game several times each day until you can say “CRATE” from several feet away (and your puppy runs in with enthusiasm) and until your puppy will not exit the crate until you say “FREE”.
We recommend minimizing excessive crate use in exceptionally young puppies; focus first on positive crate training and supervision (even if this means hiring a pet sitter to help out for the first month or two).
Socialization, next to proper nutrition, is one of the most important things you can do to raise a healthy, confident, friendly puppy.
Many people believe that socialization means going to the pet store or the dog park and flooding a puppy with people and other dogs (who may be rude, pushy, or scary). This is actually a huge mistake!
Socialization actually means: “Positive exposure to a variety of interesting, novel, and everyday things”.
This could mean exposure (good experiences) to:
Other dogs walking by (and ignoring them)
Children playing from a distance
A variety of people
Loud sounds such as fireworks, doorbells, hammers, and knocking
Things that are noisy such as vacuums, cars, lawnmowers, and large fans
Being handled and touched all over: teeth, paws, ears, torso, tail
Being brushed, groomed, and manicured
The veterinarians office (including the scale and exam room)
Pet friendly stores (and learning to ignore things in them)
If you want to raise a stable puppy, start by choosing a breeder who is known for creating stable, friendly, confident puppies. Socialization is the icing on top!
Last, but not least, here is our list of Great Dane 101 tips!
Don’t stop at puppy classes! Continue working on obedience until your Great Dane has ideally obtained at minimum their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title. Use lots of positive reinforcement.
Avoid training tools such as Gentle Leaders, Halti Head Collars, and “No-Pull” or “Front Clip” style harnesses that work by restricting movement and applying aversive (and even damaging or dangerous) pressure to the shoulders, chest, or head.
Consider E-Collar training your Great Dane; our modern method uses less pressure than a leash and will allow complete freedom of movement (Get our E-Collar training guide HERE)
It is that time of year again when some pet parents get anxious for the upcoming holiday in anticipation for their dog’s becoming anxious.
The 4th of July is a time for celebration, but it can also be dangerous for dogs. Fireworks and loud noises can scare them and cause them to run away. Here are four tips to keep your dog safe on the 4th of July.
EXERCISE BEFORE THE NOISES BEGIN
A tired dog is usually a happy one. Once the noise begins is WAY too late to tire out an anxious pup. By that time they are already on high alert. A long morning walk or run before the party starts will help to use up some of that energy and hopefully make them sleepy when night falls.
TRY SOME NATURAL REMEDIES
There are many natural remedies that can help to ease your dog’s anxiety. CBD oil is one option that has been shown to be helpful for many dogs. There are also various calming supplements available at your local pet store. Ask a staff member for recommendations based on your dog’s weight and age.
HAVE A SAFE SPACE FOR YOUR DOG
It is important to have a safe space set up for your dog in case the noise gets too overwhelming. This could be a bedroom or bathroom where they
Make sure your chosen safe space is the same space that they are used to, as switching things up can be confusing when they are already anxious. Create a comfortable spot for your dog to relax in with some of their favorite toys and blankets. This will help them feel calm and safe.
KEEP YOUR DOG’S COLLAR ON THEM INDOORS
Keep an ID tag on your dog, even indoors. In case they do get scared and run off, an ID tag will help ensure that they’re returned to you safely.
Fourth of July is the number one day/night that dog’s go missing in America.
Even though it is usually recommended to take off your dog’s collar while they are indoors, this is not the night to do so.
Keeping an ID tag on them is an extra layer of security.
KNOW YOUR DOG’S ANXIETY BEFOREHAND
Be aware of your dog’s anxiety levels. If you know that your dog is particularly anxious or scared of loud noises, take extra precautions to keep them calm and relaxed on the Fourth of July.
CBD is a great anti-anxiety tool to keep on hand. Check out our favorite here.
Crate training is not cruel, and we believe that you should crate train your Great Dane puppy! Many dogs find their crate to be a safe place to relax! They make potty training easier and give your puppy an ‘off switch’ for those times when both you and your puppy really just need a break.
This article is all about how to crate train a puppy without crying. We’ve included information on what crates to buy and how to make sure that the process is stress-free and effective!
In this post you’ll find:
How to make the crate a safe space for your new puppy
How to keep your puppy from crying in the crate
Why crate training is important
The best crates for Great Danes
Why You Should Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy
When you crate train your Great Dane puppy, you also make things much easier on them should they ever visit a veterinarian (we certainly hope you’ll be seeing a vet!), the groomer, or have to be transported.
Crate trained dogs have a safe space to go that is all theirs. This is fantastic for times when you don’t want your puppy underfoot or getting around your guests!
It’s important to note that over use of dog crates can be hard on their growth and can lead to rear-end weakness and developmental problems. Puppies should never be crated longer than they can realistically be expected to hold their bladder (1 hour for every month of life is a good rule of thumb), and never longer than 8 hours in a day (especially if under 7-8 months of age and/or crated overnight).
If you are raising a puppy while working long hours away from home, it will be best to pay somebody to check on your puppy often. An x-pen is a good alternative to crating for very young Great Dane puppies.
It is best to start small when choosing a Great Dane sized crate. Your puppy needs to be able to comfortably stand up and turn around in the crate, however if the crate is too large it increases the likelihood that they will pee or poop in there.
Many crates come with dividers for this purpose. As your pup outgrows the divider, you remove it.
You can always shop marketplace or ask friends if you can borrow a crate for a short time, if you prefer to just use a small crate! Fair warning though, Great Dane puppies grow FAST and adult sized crates are huge.
By 6-9 months your puppy will be ready for the big-daddy of all crates; the Midwest Homes or Frisco 54″ giant breed crate. This crate is HUGE. You’ve been warned.
8-12 week old Great Dane puppies are exceptionally immature, need to pee a lot, and are learning rapidly about the world. Be patient, it will pay off!
The Best Dog Crate Setup for Puppies
At first the crate should be in a cozy location with no drafts or excess heat. It’s best if you can sleep next to the crate for at least the first few nights. It can always be moved to a different location once the puppy is sleeping well at night.
Provide the puppy with a proper orthopedic crate mat that has a nice sturdy cover and is washable. We recommend this one for the puppy crate then move up to a Big Barker bed when your puppy is older.
Sleep and puppies don’t mix. Kind of like sleep and human babies! Establishing a solid routine and sleeping through the night comes with bladder control and emotional maturity.
How to Introduce the Crate to your Great Dane Puppy
An ethical breeder will likely have already introduced your puppy to a crate!
Give your puppy a few high value treats. Scatter some on the floor around the crate and make this experience fun and positive. We love Dr. Harvey’s single ingredient treats.
When your puppy is engaged with you, toss a few treats inside of the crate and say ‘CRATE’. Then say ‘FREE’ and toss some treats outside of the crate.
Make a super fun game of going into the crate (CRATE) and out of the crate (FREE). Most puppies pick this game up very quickly and enjoy playing it.
Randomly leave treats inside of the crate for your puppy to find in there.
Feed Your Puppy in the Crate
From the very first meal, feed your puppy inside of the crate!
Yes your puppy will likely make a mess (hence our recommendation for an inexpensive, washable orthopedic bed to start) and that is ok.
Depending on how comfortable your pup seems with going into the crate, it’s very likely that you’ll be able to shut the door during a meal time. Be calm and return when your puppy is finished.
Give lots of praise, open the door and say ‘FREE!’ then toss some treats outside of the crate.
HINT: Every time you release your puppy from the crate, take her out to potty!
Have Your Puppy Nap in the Crate
Contrary to popular belief, you will NOT ruin your puppy if you allow snuggles at nap time. Enjoy this time! We also know that Great Dane puppies sleep a LOT and you cannot always let them lay on you.
When puppy is ready for a nap (they need much more sleep than you think! Do not let your puppy become overtired and inconsolable), make sure they have had a potty break, then toss treats into the crate and say ‘CRATE!’.
Before you shut the door, give the puppy something appropriate to chew on; you can smear a small amount of safe (no xylitol) peanut butter inside of a Kong and freeze it.
Cover the crate and let your puppy rest.
Some puppies will be calm and comfortable in the crate, others may begin to fuss.
Some fussing is ok, but we discourage the practice of allowing this to escalate to inconsolable and panicked crying, pawing and barking. That kind of behavior inside of a crate breeds anxiety and stress. This is incorrect and the puppy should not be practicing that state of mind.
Unwavering ‘cry it out’ methods can lead to puppies that escape their crate and suffer from separation anxiety in the future, so be thoughtful here.
Many times puppies are crying in their crates because they are scared, lonely, cold, or have to pee.
To avoid creating a behavior chain where puppy learns that crying is how you’ll let them out, reassure your puppy so they know you are there. Wait for calm behavior, then reward the calm behavior by opening the door. They will learn with a few repetitions that crying is not how they get out, but being calm is.
Be boring, take the puppy out to pee, then try again. Repetition and consistency is key here. As above, it’s ok to ignore easy fussing and whining. Do not however let it escalate to panic.
How to Make Crate Training Fun for Puppies
Keep the door to the crate open during the day.
Make sure to routinely hide a goodie in the crate for the puppy to find.
Play with the puppy near the crate and continue to practice the ‘CRATE/FREE’ game. However, now when you say CRATE you’ll close the door for a moment, then open it and say FREE.
Gradually add time to the CRATE part of the game so that your puppy learns and is practicing calm awake behavior in the crate. Work up to 30 seconds, a minute, then several minutes.
If you do this correctly, your puppy will very quickly learn how to be calm in the crate while awake through the consistent practice of doing exactly that. Before you know it you’ll be able to put your wound up and awake puppy inside of the crate.
Because they have been taught to associate the crate with calm behavior and not crying or stress, they will immediately settle and eventually fall asleep. This is the goal here.
How to Crate Train Your Puppy at Night
The first few nights you may need to sleep on the floor with your puppy. You can reassure your puppy with your hand.
Be patient! Multiple potty breaks are normal but will quickly become a thing of the past.
The more mature your puppy becomes, the longer they can hold their pee, and the more confident and secure they are in the crate the easier this will become! Done properly, crate training shouldn’t take long at all, and you’ll love having it as an option for your dog to ‘turn off’ when needed.
Crate Training Troubleshooting
MY PUPPY IS SCARED OF THE CRATE
If your puppy is terrified of the crate, consider using an x-pen temporarily while you work on crate skills. Keep a crate inside of the x-pen and hide treats inside of it.
Make sure the crate itself is not in a cold or drafty area, and make sure it’s not situated in a location where a buzzing sound or some other irritant may be present.
Many people have success with the addition of Adaptil plugins which mimic the pheromones put out by the nursing mother dog.
You can also try cozy soft blankets and the Snuggle Puppy, a warm stuffed toy with a heat pack and a heartbeat.
MY PUPPY PEES AND POOPS IN THE CRATE
This can be a common problem with puppies from puppy mills or breeders that didn’t keep the whelping place clean and teach puppies early potty skills, but it can happen to any puppy. By nature, puppies should NOT want to soil their crate.
If this is happening, it may be that the crate is too big. Make the crate smaller with a divider or by choosing a smaller crate.
This can also be a sign of distress. As above, practicing anxious behavior is not appropriate crate training. Back up several steps and focus on associating the crate with calm behavior.
Make sure to thoroughly clean bedding, and make sure that the puppy has had adequete opportunity to eliminate outdoors. It’s entirely possible that your puppy really just needed to pee or poop and had no other choice!
Diet changes, stress and too many rich training treats can muck up gut health and cause gastrointestinal problems.
The last thing to check is medical problems. Puppies that have a UTI, kidney problems, or issues with their gut health will struggle to keep their crate clean. Chat with your veterinarian.
I HAVE TO BE AWAY FROM HOME ALL DAY
Puppies really do require that a human is home to guide, teach, feed, play with, and let them out. If you must be gone this much, hire a dog walker to let your puppy out or consider letting your puppy hang out with a friend during the day.
There is no answer where we say ‘oh bummer. Just put the puppy in a crate for 8 hours, he’ll be fine‘. That’s never going to be an appropriate or easy solution for this. Older puppies can be left longer, but expect to need help until the puppy is at least 5 months of age.
I’VE TRIED ALL OF THIS AND MY PUPPY STILL CRIES
Your puppy could probably benefit from additional confidence building and time learning how to be independent. Timid puppies are especially prone to developing separation anxiety, so be patient here.
Reward mature, calm behavior by giving your puppy a high value chew (antler, bull stick, stuffed Kong) with supervision, but while you aren’t focused on the puppy.sf
Do several short basic obedience with positive reinforcement training sessions each day. 1-2 minutes at a time on early basics such as sit, down and leave it.
I’M FRUSTRATED! HOW CAN I STOP MY PUPPY FROM CRYING?
It’s likely your puppy IS going to cry or fuss at first while learning. Even I have been known to shout ‘HEY. Knock it OFF’ to a puppy that I know is totally fine in there and hoping I’ll let him out.
This does NOT mean put a bark collar on your puppy, hit your puppy, shake pennies, or spray water at it.
Those things are the fast track to teaching the puppy to associate the crate with being trapped and punished, and with that you greatly risk creating an agitated and confused dog that cannot be safely crated or left home alone. Great Danes are too prone to separation anxiety to take a chance like this on punitive training methods.
Be patient, be consistent, and think about what the end goal is.
If you are frustrated, remember the ‘don’t shake a baby‘ campaigns from the 90’s? (Talk about a throwback!). Anyways, WALK AWAY.
Ask a friend for help. Let your puppy out, go for a boring potty break and try again.
If you are still having trouble or have a particularly timid puppy, seek out the help of a highly qualified professional dog trainer. Let your breeder know that you are having trouble crate training as well!
If your puppy is from a rescue situation, additional time, confidence building, help with medical issues and patience may be needed.