Whether they are exploring, playing, or teething, Goldendoodle puppies may bite frequently. They are naturally curious about the world and do not know their boundaries. Unfortunately, this often leads to biting people or inappropriate objects.
Many resources explain why puppies bite, but each breed is unique. Goldendoodle puppies are friendly, playful, eager to please, and intelligent. These traits can help you determine the best method for training your puppy to stop biting.
Continue reading to learn:
- The three reasons why Goldendoodle puppies bite
- Possible reasons why adult Goldendoodles bite
- How to train a Goldendoodle puppy not to bite
- How to prevent a Goldendoodle puppy from biting
- The answers to some frequently asked questions
Reasons Why Goldendoodle Puppies Bite
There are three main reasons behind your Goldendoodle puppy’s behavior. He may be teething, playing, or exploring.
Exploring
As puppies, Goldendoodles understand very little about the world around them. Everything is new and confusing, and they want to learn as much as possible.
Just as human babies bite unfamiliar objects, puppies do the same as they explore the world. New textures are exciting, and biting something new helps them understand what it is.
They also have no idea whether biting is acceptable, and their confusion grows when they are allowed to bite some things but not others. People and other dogs do not react well when bitten, but biting objects does not elicit the same reaction.
Until trained differently, Goldendoodle puppies assume that biting is an appropriate way to explore their worlds.
Teething
When puppies grow a little older, their baby teeth fall out, and their adult set grows in, which often causes swelling and an itching sensation. Goldendoodle puppies will bite anything in sight to ease this pain.
If your Goldendoodle puppy is teething, it is better to redirect him to chewing an acceptable object rather than trying to eliminate the biting. You can find tips on training and ideas for teething toys later in this article.
Playing
Throughout puppyhood, Goldendoodles use their teeth to play with other dogs. They find that most other dogs accept nipping during playtime. However, they must learn how hard is too hard.
Initially, puppies will often bite to their hearts’ content. With small puppy teeth, many dogs will not argue against this form of play. Over time, they will push the limits and face natural consequences.
When they bite another dog too hard, that dog may bite back or stop playing. This dog’s reaction teaches the puppy he has crossed the boundary. During future play sessions, the puppy will begin biting more softly.
If your puppy learns to bite softly when he is young, you can reduce the risk of him harming another dog with adult teeth in the future.
Reasons Why Adult Goldendoodles Bite
It can be more challenging for owners when their adult Goldendoodles bite because they can more easily harm people and other dogs. They typically bite due to lack of training, fear, or pain.
Lack of Training
If your Goldendoodle bites in response to denied access, such as when you stop playing with him, skip his walk or take away his toys, he may need training.
Without proper training, Goldendoodles may resort to biting as a means to an end. Owners who give in to their dogs’ wants when bitten teach their dogs that biting is an acceptable manner to request an object or activity.
Adult Goldendoodles can still undergo training to eliminate biting, but it can be more challenging to train adult dogs than puppies.
Fear
Biting is a common response to fear for dogs. An invasion of space can cause a dog to become overwhelmed and lash out to create space.
Likewise, startling a Goldendoodle may cause him to bite. When startled awake, dogs can be disoriented and bite the perceived threat.
Pain
Dogs who are sick or injured are more likely to bite. The pain often overwhelms and scares them, and they may bite if touched.
A drastic or sudden change in behavior may indicate an injury or illness.
How To Stop a Puppy From Biting
Once you have discovered the cause of your Goldendoodle’s biting, you can address the problem.
Training a Goldendoodle Puppy Not To Bite
Luckily, it is much easier to train a Goldendoodle not to bite when you begin training him as a puppy. Remember that puppies have short attention spans, so it is crucial to provide the consequence immediately after your puppy behaves appropriately or inappropriately.
Training Using Distraction Techniques
Distraction techniques are ideal for puppies because they are excitable and have short attention spans. If your Goldendoodle puppy is biting an object to ease teething pains, redirect him to a more appropriate outlet.
First, you must state a command to alert your puppy that he is not allowed to bite the object. Keep it simple, such as, “No bite.”
Then, you will need to make noise and gain your puppy’s attention. If you redirect to a toy, make it seem more interesting than the object he is currently biting. If you redirect to an activity, such as a walk, keep your voice enthusiastic.
Finally, praise your puppy for switching his focus. Praise is the key to effective training, especially with breeds like Goldendoodles that are eager to please and intelligent.
Training Using Shaping
Shaping is the concept of gradually changing one behavior into another. Puppies who teethe on furniture, shoes, or household objects can benefit from this technique.
In this case, your goal is to train your puppy to stop chewing random objects and begin chewing designated chew toys. You must be consistent during this process. As soon as you notice your puppy chewing the wrong object, bring him to the chew toy.
Teething Toys and Exercise
Puppies with several outlets for their energy are less likely to bite. Goldendoodle puppies should receive plenty of mental and physical stimulation daily.
This breed especially enjoys: fetch, walks, jogs, hikes, dog parks, and running around in the yard with family or other dogs.
Goldendoodles can also benefit from teething toys such as:
- Nylon bones and toys
- Interactive toys that keep your dog on the move
- Teethers filled with water
- Empty bottles
- Frozen washcloths
FAQs
Before you go, find the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Are Goldendoodles naturally aggressive?
Goldendoodles are not naturally aggressive. Most Goldendoodles are sociable, friendly, and loving, even when living with children and other animals. Like most dogs, Goldendoodles typically stop biting after their adult teeth have grown in unless they were not trained properly.
Are Goldendoodles easy to train?
Yes, Goldendoodles are easy to train. They are eager to please their owners and are intelligent. Thus, positive reinforcement in the form of attention is especially useful with this breed.
Final Thoughts – Why Do Goldendoodle Puppies Bite?
Although Goldendoodles are smart, loving companions, it can be difficult for owners to move past the biting phase. It can seem they will never stop biting shoes, fingers, and anything else in sight.
Luckily, most puppies learn to play appropriately with humans and other dogs over time. Owners can also encourage them to use chew toys rather than household objects while teething. These puppies respond well to praise and socialization.
With patience, you can set yourself and your Goldendoodle up for a happy and rewarding life together.
