Why Puppy Classes Have a Age Cut-Off  | SmartyPup!

Puppy classes and socials are crucial to your dog's early development. However, these classes often have an age cut-off, typically around 16 weeks. Most pup-parents have no idea why.

Here’s the short and oversimplified answer: their mouth.

Mouthing: the link between teeth development and play

Puppies explore the world with their mouths. This natural behavior, which combines mouthing and teething, can involve nipping, chewing, and play biting. While it might feel frustrating for owners with sore hands and clothes, it's essential to puppy development.

But here’s the critical thing we might not realize: A puppy's mouth — including their teeth and jaw — changes dramatically as adult teeth replace baby teeth, typically around 16 weeks. Younger puppies with weaker jaws are less likely to cause serious injuries. Their increased physical capabilities raise safety concerns as they grow, particularly without proper bite inhibition. Here's a closer look:

• Baby Teeth (Deciduous Teeth): In the early weeks, puppies have sharp but weak teeth, reducing the risk of severe injuries. This is the perfect time to teach bite inhibition because all puppies at this stage can safely play and use their mouths without causing serious harm to their human or another pup. The bites can be painful, but not serious.
• Adult Canines: By 16 weeks, stronger adult teeth come in, and jaw strength increases. So without proper bite inhibition training, even a 16-week-old pup is still at risk of causing unintentional injuries during play. They just wouldn’t know any better

Mouthing vs. biting: What’s the difference?

It's important to understand the difference between mouthing and biting. 

Mouthing typically involves softer bites that are used for exploring their world — just like babies and toddlers use their hands and mouths to explore. When a puppy gently nibbles on your fingers during play, it's a part of this exploration we call mouthing.  

Biting, on the other hand, can be a sign of frustration, overstimulation, or exhaustion. Biting might involve a firmer bite with more pressure, accompanied by other signs like snapping at you or even clamping down. To prevent these moments, puppies need a schedule to help manage their energy and rest times—puppies need at least 18 hours of sleep a day!

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The benefits of bite inhibition training before 16 weeks

Bite inhibition is a critical skill learned during early socialization. By 16 weeks, puppies should know how to control their bite. Without it, the risk of injury to other dogs or people increases — the last thing any dog person wants to see or hear about. Here's how bite inhibition training benefits your puppy and those around them: 

• Promotes positive socialization. Bite inhibition training helps puppies learn appropriate play behavior and allows them to interact positively with other dogs. When a puppy accidentally bites too hard during play, its peers will let it know. This is a wonderful (and safe) learning opportunity.
  
  
• Prevents injuries. Even a playful puppy can cause discomfort during play without proper bite inhibition training. Imagine the sting of a paper cut or the annoyance of a poorly done blood draw—these are good analogies for the type of injuries a puppy's bite might cause. Although not severe, they certainly leave an impression. Bite inhibition training teaches puppies just how much force is too much, helping them understand the limits of playful biting. Think play fighting in kids.

Importance of early training with SmartyPup!

Starting socialization and training early, within the 8 to 16-week window, offers long-term benefits. The sooner you can guide your puppy to become a well-adjusted, confident, and safe companion, the happier you both will be. With SmartyPup! classes, you're investing in your puppy's future and setting them up for success.

Our Puppy 1 class focuses on essential skills such as bite inhibition, appropriate play behavior, and social interaction norms, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable companion. Early training with SmartyPup! reduces the risk of future behavioral problems like aggression or fear-based reactions.

Missed the cutoff? Don’t worry. That’s why we offer Puppy 1 - Catch-Up — an opportunity for older puppies to get the essential training and socialization they need in an environment that keeps every puppy safe.

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