Governor’s puppy ‘bite’ may be textbook exaggeration

July 30, 11:29 AMBoston Animal Advocate ExaminerDeni Goldman

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When a nine-week old puppy bites someone, it is certainly not time to panic. It is not a sign that the puppy is on its way to becoming an aggressive dog about which to be concerned. What it is however, is a reminder, that new puppies need to be supervised, trained at the earliest age possible, and as well, those who play with new puppies, well, they need to be aware that all pets have instinctive behaviors that necessitate tolerance, patience, and empathy.

More often than not, these ‘bites’ aren’t bites, but rather, the skin of the human is only broken from the pup’s teeth, after the ‘victim’, or shall we just say ‘the person playing with the puppy’, feels the results of one of those razor-sharp, new, playful puppy teeth, and ‘yanks’ his/her hand away. That ‘yank’ is what causes the break in the skin -- not the pup’s intent to be harmful.

To a nine-week old puppy, like Tobey, each day is a new experience, full of inquisitiveness and exhilaration – let alone a ‘ride’ in the car – to another new place, (such as the State House) filled with different rooms, different smells, different people. It is all so overwhelmingly exciting – tails wagging ceaselessly, ears flopping, legs and feet moving about so rapidly and uninhibited, that sometimes those untested, rambunctious legs disembark at their destination prior to the arrival of the rest of the little anxious body to which they are attached! And yes, because young little puppies are mouthy in their play, those minuscule teeth can be quite sharp to an unanticipating hand!

While Governor Patrick introduces his new puppy to ‘life’, socialization and stimulation with other people, in other places, is a very important component to shaping Tobey into a affable, interactive, family dog. It is just as important for the Governor, his family, staff, and visitors to remember, that Tobey IS just a puppy – unsure yet of which behaviors are acceptable, and which ones are not!