my new puppies and biting

by Natalie
(Cape Coral ,Florida)

i just recently got 2 boxer/lab mix puppies a male and a female and they are very playful however the female is very rough .

She bites the male very hard and doesn't let go. We have only had them for a week they are 8 weeks old now.

Will this stop or is this something we should be watching? And how do i teach her not to bite so hard?



Hi Natalie
This kind of play is perfectly normal, and your male puppy should take care of letting the female know when she's playing too rough. She seems to be the dominant pup (not unusual, females can be a bit 'bossy'), but your male should be able to handle her.

If at all possible I would suggest that you try not to get involved with their squabbles, unless there is some serious blood being drawn! Puppy play sometimes looks a lot more ferocious than it actually is.

However, if your puppy also tries her biting technique on you, your family, or other humans - that is most definitely a 'no-no'.

I'd recommend that you read my Puppy Biting page to find tips, advice and information on handling puppy nipping and biting. That way you will be prepared :o)

Best of luck!