In today's issue:

-Meet our dog of the day

-Enjoy a laugh with our dog meme of the day

-Get great information in our featured article

-Take our action of the week

-Check out our family photo of the day

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Why Your Puppy Nips (And How to Survive It)

There is almost nothing better in this world than the smell of puppy breath, the wobble of a round little belly, and the pure, unadulterated joy of a new four-legged family member. You’re in absolute bliss—until suddenly, those razor-sharp little puppy teeth clamp down on your ankle.

Ouch!

If you’ve recently found yourself playing the role of a human chew toy, don't worry. You haven't adopted a tiny, furry terror, and you definitely aren't failing as a pet parent. Puppy nipping is a completely universal (and painfully normal) part of raising a dog.

The "Why" Behind the Bite

Before we can change the behavior, we have to understand where it's coming from. Puppies don’t nip out of malice or aggression. Instead, they usually have one of three very innocent reasons:

It’s How They Explore the World

Human babies use their hands to grab, poke, and feel everything they see. Puppies, lacking the luxury of opposable thumbs, use their mouths! To a puppy, your fluffy slippers, your fingers, and the hem of your jeans are all fascinating textures just begging to be investigated.

The Canine Social Club

When puppies play with their littermates, it’s a non-stop wrestling match of tumbles, growls, and nips. This is actually where they start learning bite inhibition—the ability to control the force of their jaws. If a puppy bites a sibling too hard, the sibling yelps and stops playing. It’s a crucial lesson: bite too hard, and the fun ends. When they come into your home, they simply try out the same game with you.

The Teething Troubles

Just like human infants, puppies go through a painful teething phase. Around 3 to 4 months of age, those tiny milk teeth start pushing out to make room for adult teeth. Chewing and nipping on anything (and anyone) within reach provides soothing pressure to their sore, aching gums.

Survival Guide: How to Handle the Nips

Now that we know why they do it, how do we protect our hands and ankles? The goal isn't to punish your puppy, but to communicate in a language they understand.

• Be a Tree (The Power of Ignoring): Puppies crave your attention more than anything. If they nip you during play, immediately tuck your hands into your armpits, turn your back, and look away. By completely removing your attention for 10 to 20 seconds, you are teaching them the same lesson their littermates did: nipping makes the fun human disappear.
• The Switcheroo (Redirection): Always keep a toy within arm's reach. If your pup starts eyeing your fingers, intercept them with a durable chew toy or a rope. You’re essentially saying, "You can't chew on me, but you can definitely chew on this!"
• Freeze the Pain: For a teething puppy, wet a clean washcloth, twist it into a rope shape, and freeze it. The cold, hard texture feels like heaven on their inflamed gums and will keep them occupied for ages.
• Enforced Naps: Just like toddlers, puppies get cranky and lose their impulse control when they are overtired. If your puppy goes into a frantic, unstoppable "frenzy" of biting, chances are they actually need a nap. Gently guide them to their crate or playpen with a safe chew for some quiet time.

A Quick Note on Patience This phase requires a lot of deep breaths and a good pair of thick socks. Puppy teeth are incredibly sharp, but this behavior won't last forever. With consistency, love, and plenty of chew toys, those little land sharks will soon grow into the gentle, well-mannered companions they were always meant to be.

Hang in there, pet parents! The puppy phase is fleeting, but the bond you're building right now will last a lifetime.

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• Albright's Raw Pet Food - Chicken Recipe for Dogs: Potential Salmonella exposure

Want to help find lost pets?

Download our RoverAlert app to receive notifications of missing pets in your area.

We want to feature your pup!

We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.