You’re playing with your adorable Cavapoo puppy, watching them bounce around with endless energy. Everything seems perfect until your tiny fur ball latches those tiny teeth onto your fingers. Yes, it might start as a harmless nibble at first, but if you don’t address it properly, it can become a frustrating habit.
Cavapoos are known for their affectionate and playful nature. However, like all puppies, they also go through a biting phase. Whether it’s due to teething, excitement, or simple curiosity, you need to teach them biting inhibition as early as possible. If you are thinking about getting a Cavapoo for sale in Manchester, here’s how you can stop them from biting and keep your hands safe.
1. Understand Why Your Cavapoo is Biting
Puppies don’t bite to be aggressive; they do it because they are exploring the world with their mouths. Here are some common reasons cavapoos bite:
- Teething Pain: Just like human babies, puppies also experience discomfort when their new teeth come in.
- Excitement: A playful puppy may get overly excited and bite as part of the game.
- Attention Seeking: If your cavapoo learns that biting elicits a reaction, they may continue to do so.
- Lack of Bite Inhibition: Puppies learn bite control from their mother and littermates. If taken from them too early, they might not have learned proper limits.
Once you understand the reason behind biting, you can take steps to correct the behaviour.
2. Redirect to Chew Toys
If your Cavapoo is biting because they are teething or simply want to chew, giving them the right toys is key. Always have a few chew toys around so you can redirect their biting from your hands to something more suitable.
- Use rubber chew toys that soothe teething pain.
- Frozen teething rings or wet washcloths can help numb sore gums.
- Rotate toys to keep them interested.
Each time your Cavapoo bites, gently remove your hand and offer a toy as an alternative.
3. Use the “Ouch” Method
Puppies naturally learn bite inhibition when playing with their littermates. If one puppy bites too hard, the other yelps and stops playing. You can mimic this by:
- When your Cavapoo bites, say “Ouch!” in a firm yet gentle tone.
- Immediately stop playing and withdraw attention.
- Wait a few seconds, then resume play calmly.
This teaches your puppy that biting means the fun stops. Consistency is crucial; if everyone in the household follows this method, your Cavapoo will learn more quickly.
4. Avoid Rough Play
Wrestling and hand-based play can encourage biting. Instead, use toys, tug ropes, or fetch games to interact with your Cavapoo. This way, they still get playtime but without the temptation to bite their hands.
5. Reward Good Behavior
Positive reinforcement works wonders. When your puppy plays gently or licks instead of biting, praise them and offer treats. Over time, they will associate calm behaviour with rewards and will be less likely to bite.
If you’re considering adopting a Cavapoo to your urban space, you’ll need well-socialized puppies who won’t struggle with separation anxiety. Looking for healthy and happy puppies? Find them at Douglas Hall Kennels today!
