As a specialized human who understands the behavior of dogs, I can assure you that it’s perfectly normal for puppies to bite or chew on older dogs during their teething phase. However, it’s also important to ensure that the older dog is not getting hurt or feeling uncomfortable during such playtime.
Puppy teething is a natural process that occurs when a puppy is between 3-6 months old. During this phase, a puppy’s baby teeth fall out and new teeth emerge. As a result, puppies tend to experience sore gums and teeth and have an intense urge to chew and bite. This is completely normal and helps to alleviate the pain and discomfort they are experiencing. Unfortunately, older dogs can become targets of such teething behavior.
It’s important to understand that an older dog will typically show restraint and patience when dealing with a puppy that’s teething. However, some puppies can be more aggressive in their biting, and this can lead to the older dog feeling uncomfortable or irritated. It’s crucial to ensure that the older dog is not getting hurt during playtime, and they are not showing any signs of aggression or frustration towards the puppy.
There are several ways you can help manage the puppy’s teething and prevent any overaggressive behavior towards the older dog. One way is to provide your puppy with appropriate chew toys and bones to satisfy their urge to chew. Ensure that the toys and bones are durable and indestructible to prevent the puppy from accidentally swallowing any toy pieces or hurting themselves.
Another way is to supervise any interaction between the puppy and the older dog during playtime. This way, you can intervene if the puppy becomes too rough or aggressive with the older dog. Ensure that the older dog has an escape route in case they feel uncomfortable with the puppy’s behavior.
Lastly, consider providing the older dog with a space away from the puppy if they become overwhelmed or uncomfortable. This not only gives the older dog a break from the teething puppy but also helps to prevent any potential conflict or aggression between them.
In conclusion, it’s completely normal for puppies to bite or chew on older dogs during their teething phase. However, it’s important to ensure that the older dog is not getting hurt or feeling uncomfortable during such playtime. By providing appropriate chew toys, supervising playtime, and giving the older dog some separate space when needed, you can help manage this behavior and ensure a happy and healthy relationship between your puppy and older dog.