Will my puppy grow out of biting everything?

Mouthing, chewing and biting everything he can put his mouth around is normal behavior for a puppy.  Puppies' gums are intensely itchy, due to first their puppy teeth, then their adult teeth, coming in.  Also, dogs are mouth-oriented with regards to their play activities--their mouths function as our hands!  The hard part is teaching our puppies what is ok to chew, and what is strictly off-limits.

· Rule 1:  Human flesh is sacred; human hands are NOT dog toys!  Do NOT let your puppy mouthe or snap at your hands, feet and face--what is cute now could be a major tragedy when the puppy is grown and has his adult teeth.  This rule includes play-slapping with the puppy, a bad habit all-too-common with teenage boys and adult men.

· Rule 2:  If you catch your puppy chewing something he shouldn't, correct him, then immediately offer him something appropriate to chew on.

· Rule 3:  Do not leave your puppy alone around anything you don't want chewed on.  "Puppy Proof" any area your puppy will spend unsupervised time in

Most puppies outgrow their mouthiness once their permanent teeth are finished erupting, around 6 months of age.  Retrieving breeds, and herding breeds, because of their strong oral orientation, can not outgrow their mouthiness, and must be diligently trained away from bad habits.