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Published on Jan 16, 2026

Let’s talk about puppies. Sweet. Soft. Adorable. Smelling faintly like happiness and regret.

You bring one home and think, “This is going to be amazing.” And it is… until that tiny, lovable fluff turns into a land shark with zero respect for personal space. Suddenly everything is being chewed. Hands, shoes, table legs, couch corners—nothing is safe. And the nipping? Oh, the nipping. It’s like your puppy learned affection through interpretive biting.

If you’re in Orangevale and wondering why your puppy shows love with their teeth, relax. You didn’t do anything wrong. This is common, fixable, and—believe it or not—temporary with the right training.

At Sit Happens, we help Orangevale puppy parents put an end to nipping and chewing with in-home training that works where the chaos actually lives: your house.


🦷 Why Puppies Nip (And Why It Feels Personal)

Here’s the good news: your puppy isn’t trying to hurt you.
Here’s the bad news: they have absolutely no idea how sharp their teeth are.

Puppies explore the world with their mouths. It’s how they play, communicate, and soothe themselves—especially while teething. To them, your hands look just like chew toys that scream occasionally.

Common reasons puppies nip and chew:

  • Teething pain – Chewing feels good on sore gums

  • Play behavior – Puppies bite each other constantly while playing

  • Overstimulation – Tired puppies get mouthy fast

  • Lack of boundaries – No one told them teeth on skin is not okay

  • Boredom – Idle jaws find work

And here’s the important part: if nipping isn’t addressed early, it can turn into a long-term habit.


🧸 “But They’re Just a Puppy!”

Yes. And that’s exactly why now is the time to train.

Puppies don’t magically grow out of nipping and chewing. They grow into habits—good or bad—based on what they’re allowed to practice.

If chewing shoes works today, it’ll work tomorrow.
If nipping hands gets attention, it’ll keep happening.

The earlier you set boundaries, the faster puppies learn. And the good news? Puppies learn very fast when the rules are clear.


🏡 Why In-Home Puppy Training in Orangevale Makes All the Difference

Your puppy isn’t chewing furniture in a training facility. They’re doing it:

  • In your living room

  • In your hallway

  • Near your couch

  • On your favorite shoes

That’s why Sit Happens trains puppies in your home in Orangevale. We work in real spaces, with real distractions, and real temptations—so the training actually sticks.

We don’t guess. We observe. We build a plan around your puppy’s age, energy level, and daily routine.


🧠 What Nipping & Chewing Training Really Teaches

Stopping nipping isn’t about yelling or pushing your puppy away. It’s about teaching bite inhibition, appropriate outlets, and calm play.

Here’s what we focus on:

✅ Bite Inhibition

Your puppy learns how much pressure is too much—and that teeth on skin end the fun.

✅ Redirection

Chew toys become the correct target. Hands and furniture become boring.

✅ Managing Energy

Tired puppies bite less. Structured play and mental exercise make a huge difference.

✅ Clear Boundaries

Your puppy learns what’s allowed and what’s off-limits—consistently.

✅ Calm Behavior

Overtired puppies get mouthy. We teach them how to settle.


🚫 Common Mistakes That Make Nipping Worse

You’re not doing this on purpose—but these habits keep the biting alive:

❌ Using Hands as Toys

Hands should never be chew toys. Ever. Not even once.

❌ Laughing It Off

It’s cute when they’re tiny. It’s not cute when they’re 50 pounds.

❌ Inconsistent Responses

Sometimes allowing nipping, sometimes not, confuses puppies fast.

❌ Punishing After the Fact

Puppies don’t connect delayed punishment to the behavior. It just creates fear.


🛠 The Sit Happens Puppy Training Approach

We don’t believe in harsh corrections or “letting them cry it out.” Puppies need guidance, not intimidation.

Here’s how we fix nipping and chewing:

Step 1: Puppy Assessment

We look at age, teething stage, energy levels, and daily routine.

Step 2: Structured Play

We teach you how to play without encouraging biting—yes, there’s a right way.

Step 3: Chew Management

The right toys, at the right times, in the right places.

Step 4: Calm Transitions

We help puppies learn to switch from play mode to chill mode.

Step 5: Owner Coaching

Because training only works when everyone’s on the same page.


🐾 Why This Matters Long-Term

Unchecked nipping doesn’t just disappear. It evolves.

  • Puppies grow bigger

  • Teeth get stronger

  • Habits become harder to break

Fixing it now means:

  • Safer interactions with kids and guests

  • Less damage to your home

  • A calmer, more confident adult dog

  • A puppy you actually enjoy spending time with


📍 Why Orangevale Puppy Owners Choose Sit Happens

We understand puppies.
We understand chaos.
We understand sleep deprivation.

Orangevale families trust Sit Happens because:

  • Training happens at home

  • Plans are realistic

  • Puppies learn quickly

  • Owners feel supported

  • Results last


📞 Ready to Put the Teeth Away?

You don’t need more bandages.
You don’t need to “wait it out.”
You don’t need to accept living with a tiny velociraptor.

You need training.

📍 Serving Orangevale
📞 Call Sit Happens at (916) 886-9908
🏠 Book your in-home puppy training session today

Let’s turn puppy love bites into polite kisses—and give your hands a break.


TL;DR – Nipping Is Normal, But It’s Also Fixable

  • Puppies bite because they don’t know better

  • Early training prevents long-term habits

  • In-home training works best

  • Sit Happens teaches calm, appropriate behavior

  • You can enjoy your puppy again

Because love should be sweet.

Not sharp. 🐾

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