The Witching Hour
Puppies are undeniably adorable, but let’s not sugarcoat it. They can also be downright nuts. Anyone who’s raised a puppy knows there’s a certain time of day when their behavior goes from playful to pure chaos. Welcome to the Witching Hour, that magical yet maddening stretch from 5 to 8 p.m. when your sweet little furball transforms into a biting, zooming whirlwind of energy.
If you’ve ever wondered if your puppy was possessed by a tiny demon, you’re not alone. However, with the right approach, the Witching Hour doesn’t have to leave you frustrated or covered in scratches. Armed with a plan, you can turn this chaotic time into an opportunity for bonding and training.
Surviving the Witching Hour: A Game Plan
The key to surviving your puppy’s shark-like biting spree is preparation.
It’s time to stock up and strategize:
High-Value Distractions
Your hands are not chew toys, so don’t let them become one. Head to the pet store or shop online for a variety of high-value bones and toys. When your puppy starts biting, offer a different toy every 20 seconds if necessary. Yes, it might feel like a never-ending cycle, but stay consistent. They’ll keep returning to your hands, and you’ll keep redirecting them, over and over again. Here is a list of my favorite chew bones.
Soft, Chew-Friendly Alternatives
Keep a fleece braided rope or a squeaky toy handy for those moments when your pup needs something soft to gnaw on. These alternatives satisfy their urge to bite while saving your hands.
Frozen Treats: A Puppy Popsicle
A frozen Toppl can be a lifesaver. Smear it with something irresistible—peanut butter, squeeze cheese, Buddy Butter, or wet canned puppy food. Sprinkle in a few chunks of hot dogs or Happy Howie’s Meat Roll to make it extra tempting. Not only will this soothe their gums, but it’ll also keep them busy for a while. Better yet? Freeze their meals in the Toppl.
LickMats and Feeder Trays
A LickMat smeared with Greek yogurt and liver treats, then frozen, provides a calming, satisfying distraction. Alternatively, use a feeder tray, spreading wet food and sprinkling blueberries or treats on top. Freeze it and watch your pup’s biting frenzy turn into a focused licking session.
Biting = Play Stops
If your puppy’s biting becomes excessive, pause all play immediately. For extreme cases, guide them gently into their crate for a short two-minute time-out and give them a treat for going in. This teaches them that biting doesn’t lead to more fun—it leads to a break.
No Hands-On Play
It’s tempting to engage in hand-based play, but it only encourages biting. Keep your hands out of their face and focus on using toys instead.
Avoid the Hangry Puppy
Sometimes, a bitey puppy is just a hangry puppy. Consider increasing their meal portions a bit or offering a small snack around 12pm and 7 p.m. A satisfied belly often leads to a calmer pup.
Taming the Chaos with Kids
If you have kids, you’ve probably noticed they have a Witching Hour too. Combine that with a hyper puppy, and you’ve got a recipe for mayhem. Encourage calm interactions between your children and the puppy during this time.
Tug and Fetch: Channeling Energy Productively
Tug-of-war can be a useful tool for teaching impulse control. Let your puppy tug for a few seconds, then cue a verbal “Drop It” while offering a treat in front of their nose. Make sure they can see the treat and more importantly, smell it. If it’s high enough value to them, they will drop the toy to take the treat. Praise them when they release the toy and give the treat. Similarly, fetch keeps their energy directed away from you. Use multiple balls, rolling one after another to keep them engaged.
Flirt Poles: A Hands-Free Solution
A flirt pole, which is a long pole with a toy attached, can work wonders. It keeps your hands safe while letting your puppy burn off energy by chasing the toy.
Don’t Punish! What to Avoid:
I totally understand the frustration when you have an out-of-control baby shark in your living room. But getting angry will only increase your puppy’s frantic-ness and biti-ness. If you yell, spank, slap, or hit your puppy for biting, you are only teaching them to fear you. And they could start biting more out of fear. It’s better to give them (and you) time away from each other. Put your puppy safely in their crate with a chew bone, and go for a walk. This is all part of having a puppy, and it’s your responsibility to teach them with kindness.
Lastly, please DO NOT squirt them with water, or worse, push down on their teeth with their lip, bite them back, or try and grab their tongue. Yes, these are all things you will find on the internet, but please do no attempt. You will do irrevocable damage to your sweet friend who simply is just communicating with his or her teeth. Reach out to me or another professional dog trainer who uses positive rewards for help. There are plenty of us out there!
Teaching Cues to Curb Biting
Training commands like “Off” and “Leave It” are essential tools in managing your puppy’s behavior.
Teaching “Off”
Hold a treat in your closed fist.
Present your fist to your puppy and say “Off.”
Wait for them to back away or hesitate.
When they do, open your hand and give the treat while praising them.
Teaching “Leave It”
Place one treat on the floor and cover it with your hand.
Use your other hand to hold a second treat.
Say “Leave It” when they focus on the covered treat.
The moment they look away, reward them with the treat in your hand that’s not covering the treat on the floor.
With preparation and consistency, the Witching Hour doesn’t have to feel like a battle. By redirecting your puppy’s energy and reinforcing positive behavior, you’ll make evenings calmer and more enjoyable for everyone. Remember, every phase is temporary, and with time, even the craziest puppy becomes a well-mannered companion.
