It’s perfectly normal for your new puppy to want to explore using their mouth. Biting and chewing are all part of their natural behaviour, but sometimes it can be inappropriate. As you’ll want your pup to only bite things they should such as food and their toys, you’ll want to reduce their urge to nibble other things too – including other animals and people. 

As their early years are crucial for their development and how they will be once all grown up, stopping biting from becoming an anti-social and unwanted behaviour is important, so what can you do? Well first, you’ll want to understand exactly why they are biting and then you can address this with a few tips. Read on to find out more…

Understanding Puppy Biting

Just like when you were a child, putting things in your mouth to chew and taste is very much an explorative behaviour, whether it is food, toys or your fingers. The same goes for puppies, wanting to explore the world around them. Predominantly this will be through chewing and mouthing, and unless they have the right things to do this with, it can mean chewing on furniture or nipping your fingers when interacting with them.

This is generally in a more playful way, but they may get carried away or overexcited, especially if they are teething, which as per the Dog’s Trust, can last until they are around seven months old. Again, just like when we are experiencing our baby teeth growing, this can be a frustrating time for your puppy. Also if they are feeling tired or even stressed or anxious they may want to bite more, as well as when they feel hungry.

Being able to manage their biting or mouthing tendencies will help your puppy learn what they can and can’t chew, helping them to be a more sociable dog you can trust. It will also help relieve teething issues so that they can feel more relaxed and happier.

How To Help Your Puppy With Their Biting 

First of all, it’s important not to tell your dog off for biting. It’s a natural behaviour and they do not realise what they are doing may be causing an issue. The best way to help them is to try a few different techniques that will manage this, keeping the experience a positive one overall.

Have plenty of chew toys – If they need something to bite and chew, it’s best it’s something specifically designed for this. Having chew toys is one of the best ways to keep them happy, so have a variety of different ones from those that they can chew themselves to interactive toys you can use for play. This will also stop them from biting out of boredom or frustration.

Distract their attention – If your puppy does start to chew furniture or clothing, distract them with a toy or chew treat like a dental stick instead. This is much better than telling them off. By making the item you’re distracting them with more inviting and exciting, they’ll soon forget about chewing the table leg or your new jumper.

Supervise interactions – As socialisation is important for your puppy during their early development, you’ll want them to interact with other members of the household as well as any other pets. This means if they are mouthing or teething you’ll want to ensure they don’t get overexcited when meeting them. Supervise interactions, especially those with children, and if it becomes overwhelming for your pup, you can then end the interaction for the time being.

Keep temptations away – If there are certain items in the home you know your puppy would love to chew and bite, keep these away from them. Anything from a pair of shoes or slippers, books, to your children’s toys may all be in their line of sight, increasing the chances of them chewing on them. In effect, you need to puppy-proof your home so that there is nothing they can easily reach that you don’t want them to damage or could be dangerous for them to chew.

Avoid Biting Play – Whilst you’ll want them to chew the toys they are allowed to, avoid playful biting of your fingers or hands. It may seem harmless when they are young and only mouthing, but they may associate this as a fun and positive interaction with you and other people. This can mean they grow up to continue doing so, which can be problematic with adult teeth. 

Have a time-out if they start biting – When they do start to bite, stop playing with them. This will encourage them to understand that it isn’t a fun thing to do. If need be, move away from them so they can calm down. Withdrawing attention can help them stop biting during play.

What To Avoid Doing When Training Your Puppy 

Whilst the above can all be effective in managing their biting, there are of course certain things that won’t help. Your training should coincide with socialisation and habituation so that your puppy can get used to situations and the people they’ll meet.

The last thing you want is to be in a situation as they get older where they could bite or injure someone or another dog. Whilst having pet insurance that covers third party liability will give you peace of mind, it’s much better for you and your dog to not get into a situation where an injury occurs from biting. If training them isn’t working as well as it should, seeing a dog behaviourist may help with any unwanted behaviour.

As already mentioned, telling them off if they do bite or chew something they shouldn’t will only cause your pup to be scared or anxious. Puppies do have sharp teeth, and it can be painful if they do bite the skin, but it’s important not to raise your voice or react negatively.

As it is the early months of their development, you don’t want to inadvertently cause them to mistrust you or worry, as this can make behaviours like biting worse. Also, if you do react, it might excite them more which they may think is part of a game. It’s better to divert their attention with a toy than turn an accidental bite into a negative situation.

Stay Positive & Help Your Dog Avoid Biting

It can take a bit of time and different techniques, but eventually, your puppy will learn not to bite or chew the wrong things. It not only will help them from biting you or other people, but it will also help them avoid chewing on things that could potentially cause an issue such as items that are toxic to dogs.

If you are having difficulty after trying the above techniques, do speak to your vet. They will be able to offer further advice, and if need be, recommend an animal behaviourist. Once you understand what triggers your puppy’s biting instincts, it should become easier to manage. It’s something most puppy parents have to deal with, so you’ll be able to find plenty of support from other owners as well as the experts.

Having a pet requires a person to think about its overall well-being. Several factors need to be considered, especially for pet owners who struggle to satisfy the needs of their animals. From a wide range of factors affecting health, knowing the techniques they would use to ensure their well-being becomes vital. So, what are these techniques? This is where this blog comes in handy. It will share tips and strategies for pet owners that they can use to ensure their pet’s health and happiness.

In-Depth Tips & Techniques For Pet Owners To Boost Pet Well-being

1. Regular veterinary check-ups

Getting your pet checked by a veterinarian frequently is important in curbing any health issues it may have. Check-ups make it easier to identify potential problems before they actually show up. Amateur veterinarians, moreover, can provide even the most basic treatment by examining the pet’s internal organs and monitoring its symptoms.

Be it medication, teeth cleaning, or tests, they may rule out all these to help your pet fight against common medical problems. But when will you know that your pet requires medical attention? Well, the best way to know this is to consider warning signs like sudden weight or behavioral change. You can even see what their appetite has been lately.

2. Balanced and nutritious diet

Providing your pet with a nutritious and balanced diet is critical for their good health and well-being, as it meets their natural dietary requirements. Pets of all species, age, size, and activity level need proper nutrition. Treating your pets with high-grade food helps meet their protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamin, and mineral requirements.

As for any human sources of food, see to it that your pet never consumes such sources, as they could be detrimental. Ensure that they are always hydrated by keeping fresh water accessible at all times. Even regularly taking your pet to a nutritionist will help determine what diet your pet should follow and what concerns the diet addresses.

3. Integrating CBD into routine

Adding CBD to your pet’s daily routine may enhance its overall health, especially joint pain, anxiety, and inflammation. People also give CBD to dogs that are anxious or hurt. This cannabinoid substance may work for your pet through interaction with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates several processes.

However, when integrating it into your pet’s routine, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian regardless of the form. The reason lies in the advice they will give you. Additionally, you can have a better idea of feeding it to your pet, say a dog, as there are many forms in which you can infuse CBD for dogs, such as oils, treats, or capsules.

4. Adequate physical exercise

Adequate physical exercise is also very important for your pet’s health. Proper exercise ensures that your pet’s muscles stay healthy, weight stays in check, and weight-related problems do not pop up. It also prevents heart conditions, improves the functioning of the intestines, and strengthens immunity.

For example, dogs can take a daily stroll, have rugby or fetch thrown in the yard, or undergo agility training that entails running, jumping, and other actions. Similarly, interactive toys, climbing trees, or a laser point are good interactive items for cats. All in all, it is worth noting that engaging your pet in a physical activity will not only help them get in shape but also improve their mental health.

5. Proper grooming practices

Showering is essential for a pet to maintain its overall health and cleanliness. For those who own pets, bathing takes up much time and, in some cases, isn’t even needed, especially for pets with longer fur. Showering involves brushing, trimming nails, and cleaning ears, all of which aim to eliminate dirt and odors or disregard the pet’s breeding and lifestyle.

However, if this cleaning routine isn’t adhered to, it can lead to painful tangles or even infections. As a result, it is imperative for pet owners to consistently follow a proper grooming routine, as it is quite beneficial for their furry ones.

6. Safe and clean environment

It is your duty to keep the pet healthy through clean surroundings, as providing a safe and clean environment ensures wellness in a pet. Safety in such a case means removing hazards such as poisonous plants, sharp toys, and small objects that could be swallowed. Additionally, pets do require a safe zone where they can exercise with the assurance that they won’t get harmed in the process.

Most importantly, regularly clean your pet’s environment, including bedding, toys, and food bowls. If, however, you cannot ensure this, then you are putting your dog’s well-being at stake, as there is a high chance that infections might occur. So, don’t make this a habit.

7. Consistent therapy and socialization

Consistent pet therapy and socialization help improve their health. Learning sets good limits and manners and complies, facilitating both pets and owners. It reduces excessive barking, chewing, aggression, and certain other situations. Equally necessary, it takes them out so they get too used to certain people, animals, or places, which fosters confidence and cuts down anxiety.

More so for puppies, they need to be trained and socialized early on, although pets of any age should receive constant beatings with a stick to new situations. Remember, a pet who has been easily trained and socialized is a happier, smoother, and more compliant pet, which enhances its well-being and increases its affection towards its owner.

Wrapping Up

Looking after your pet in the best way possible goes hand in hand with maintaining their physical and mental well-being. Adopting approaches, such as ensuring all parenthood appointments are kept and appropriate feeding alongside training of the pet, can make sure you have a happy and fulfilled companion. They also need an opportunity to exercise their brains, along with some safety measures being taken. Always remember that no two pets are the same, so when implementing these strategies, feel free to change them to fit the pet’s character and way of life.   

Dog breeding is a tough business. It needs plenty of planning and preparation before breeding dogs. For a dog breeder in the UK, knowing how and where to begin is vital. This is especially true when it comes to breeding Beagles. 

This popular breed of hound dogs is cuddly, curious, and extremely sharp. In the past few years, Beagles have become a household favourite. As long as you ensure sufficient socialisation and train them well, they can fit into any space. Beagles get along with other pets really well. Be it cats and dogs, as long as they grow up with them, the Beagle puppies for sale are going to be super friendly.

The Beagle became popular as a hunting dog. It was famed for being connected to the masses. It is also believed to have originated in Europe. However, breeders in the UK created the breed in its present form in the middle of the nineteenth century. The Beagle is one of the most ancient dog breeds, with evidence of its breeding dating back to the 5th century A.D. In Ancient Greece, there were hunting dogs that closely resembled modern Beagles in size and purpose.

Essential Preparations as a Dog Breeder in the UK

Beagles are among the most popular choices. But as a dog breeder in the UK, you must make sure that your breeding is ethical. Not only should the male and female dogs and their offspring be healthy, but ethical breeding also aims to maintain a breed so that it stays true to its origins. Ethical breeding means conducting activities that ensure the moral code of conduct. 

Unethical breeding should not be practiced as it causes severe genetic deformities in pups as well as their parents. 

• Finances: 

Being a dog breeder in the UK requires a lot of investment to get purebred Beagles. Even when you may have a female, you would have to pay for other services. Apart from these costs, you would have to be prepared to cover vet bills, high-quality studs, and good-quality food for both the dogs and the pups.

You also need to be prepared for crates and baby gates, bottles, blankets, droppers, bowls, and dishes. Not only this but you must also have toys, basic medicines in case of an emergency, and grooming supplies. You should have the necessary funds.

• Time: 

Newborn Beagle puppies for sale need to be taken care of at all times. You have to monitor them very closely. This is because they are quite prone to certain illnesses like hypoglycemia that can strike them suddenly. This demands your full time and attention. Thus, as a dog breeder in the UK, you must have ample amount of time to take care of the animals. 

• Emotional Capacity:

Every breeder suffers a loss, even the best ones. Even after years of doing the same work, there might be puppies that do not survive. While looking after them around the clock, this can be a heart-wrenching experience when they do not make it. Apart from that, you also need to be able to strong enough to send them to their new homes. Thus, as a dog breeder in the UK, ensure you are willing to take the emotional turbulence that the job demands.

How Often Should You Breed a Female?

To understand how often a Beagle can be bred, it is vital to know that every dog has their individual parameters. The dog breeder in the UK needs to evaluate if they have healed enough to begin again. There are, however, certain guidelines that you can follow:

• You should wait till your Beagle is over two years old for them to start a litter. 
• Many bog breeders in the UK go for two consecutive heat cycles and then give them a long break, or give a gap between two cycles. However, as every dog has their unique demands, yours needs to be properly evaluated by an experienced vet to set her breeding schedule. 
• Remember that if your dog has had a C-section, it is vital to give them ample time to rest before scheduling another litter. Even then if she has not recovered and her coat has not come back, she would need more rest. 
• A female needs to retire from the age of five to seven. However, the right age needs to be determined by your doctor for the health of not only the female dog but also the Beagle puppies for sale. 

What Is the Correct Age for Breeding?

A female dog should be at least 8 months before breeding. However, it is still best to wait till she is over two years old. This prepares her body to take the strain of pregnancy. 

Regardless, no matter what, the most vital element is for you to schedule regular check-ups by an experienced vet. This will keep your breeding schedule right and also ensure the good health of both the mother and the Beagle puppies for sale.  

Conclusion 

In conclusion, as a good dog breeder in the UK, your priority should be the health of all the animals living in your care. Carefully consider all the necessary factors above before you take up the job. This will ensure a good and healthy breed in the future.