Bringing a new puppy into your home is exciting! But there’s a catch – those tiny, sharp teeth. Before you know it, your pup is biting your hands, socks, and furniture. Don’t panic – this is a completely normal behavior. Understanding why your puppy bites and how to guide them gently through this stage will help you stop puppy biting and make your journey smoother.
This guide will help get you through the teething, chomping chaos! Download our free eBook for even more detailed tips!
Why do puppies bite?
First things first: puppies bite because they’re puppies! They explore the world with their mouths, much like babies. Puppies don’t have hands, so they use their teeth to learn about their surroundings. Chewing also helps relieve the discomfort of teething.
Fun fact: Puppies play-bite with their littermates as part of learning boundaries. When they bite too hard, the other pup will yelp and stop playing. This teaches bite inhibition – and yes, your puppy will need to learn this from you too.
It’s not aggression – it’s nature. And understanding this is key in figuring out how to stop puppy biting.
Mind your reaction when your puppy bites
One thing many new puppy owners don’t realize is how our reactions reinforce biting behavior. When your puppy bites your hand, it’s easy to flinch, pull away, or scold them. But here’s the kicker: your puppy thinks it’s a game.
When you pull away, it might seem like fun to them – a tug-of-war without the rope! Yelling or scolding can confuse them or even lead to fear. Instead, the goal should be to teach your puppy that biting leads to no more play.
So, stay calm. Don’t scream or flail – this only encourages the behavior. Instead, gently redirect their attention, and take a break if needed. This teaches them that biting means no more fun. It’s a much more effective approach than punishment, and it helps build trust with your puppy. Consistency is important, make sure everyone in the family knows the plan and acts the same way when puppy bites.
The power of understanding your dog’s perspective
Punishment? No thanks. Your puppy doesn’t know that biting is “wrong”. They are still trying to work out how the world works, it’s your job to show them what’s ok and what’s not. Understanding and positive reinforcement is your best friend when it comes to training. This is where you reward your puppy for doing the right things and change things in their environment to prevent them rehearsing the wrong things. It’s simple: When your puppy is excited and wants to play, do some fun training to tire our their body and mind. No time to train? Grab a toy and have a quick play with your pup, praising them when they bite the toy rather than you. Or give them an enrichment toy or safe chew.
It’s better to show your puppy the right way to relieve boredom or frustration than allowing them to get into trouble and then punishing them for it. Consistency is key. Puppies love to repeat behaviors that earn rewards. So, when your puppy chews one of their toys or chews, reward them by engaging in play or giving verbal praise. By doing this, you’re showing them what’s acceptable behavior.
And guess what? The more you reward good behavior, the quicker your puppy will know what they can bite and chew, and what they can’t. Puppies are quick learners – but they need you to be consistent with your rewards.
Redirecting attention when your puppy won’t stop biting
Let’s face it – puppies are energetic and sometimes forget about their toys in favor of your hand. But don’t worry, it’s not their fault. Redirecting their attention is the secret sauce here.
The moment your puppy nips at you, distract them with a toy. Wave a rope toy, toss a squeaky ball, or offer them a teething chew. Make the toy interesting! Puppies love motion, so wiggle that toy around to catch their attention. When they bite the toy instead of your hand, praise them.
This will teach your puppy what’s appropriate to chew. It’s all about setting them up for success. Keep toys close by and ready to distract your pup when they start nipping.
Pro tip: Rotate toys to keep them fresh and exciting. Puppies can get bored with the same old toys, so changing them up keeps your puppy engaged.
Puppy still biting? Time for a break!
There are times when your puppy gets overly excited and nips more than usual. If redirection doesn’t work and they’re getting too bite-happy, it’s time for a break. Chances are, your puppy is actually over-tired at this point and a break is a good way to reset and remind them that biting leads to the fun stopping.
When the biting starts, stop all play. You can give your puppy a moment of calm by walking away or putting them in a safe, quiet space like a puppy pen for a short break. This signals to your puppy that biting leads to a loss of playtime and attention.
Remember, don’t punish – just calmly withdraw your attention. A quick time-out while you got to another room can reset your puppy’s behavior and bring them back to a calm, controlled state. Quite often, your puppy will actually fall asleep because they were over-tired.
Providing the right chew toys for your puppy
Teething puppies need to chew. If you don’t offer appropriate chew toys, they’ll find their own – and you won’t like it (your favorite shoes, for instance). Providing chew toys helps prevent your puppy from nibbling on your furniture or fingers.
Choose chews that are designed for teething puppies – durable and safe. Look for rubber toys or natural products like beef hooves. Soft toys can also be good, but make sure they’re chew-proof. Rotating toys is a great way to keep things interesting for your puppy.
And let’s not forget the mental stimulation that comes with chewing. Puppies get bored quickly, and a bored puppy is a biting puppy. Chew toys, safe bones and dried chews allow your puppy to mimick natural behavior and prevent unwanted behavior.
Teach your puppy that biting hurts
Another essential part of teaching your puppy is letting them know that biting hurts. Puppies don’t know their teeth can be sharp until they’re told.
When your puppy gives you a hard bite, let out an “ouch!” in a high-pitched tone. It’s similar to what a littermate would do. Puppies are sensitive to sound, and this yelp is a natural way to show them that their biting is painful.
After the yelp, withdraw your attention. Stand up and leave the room for a few seconds, or stop play entirely. This tells your puppy, “Biting means no more fun.”
Be consistent with this response. Every time they bite too hard, they’ll learn that the game ends when they hurt you. This teaches them self-control in a way that’s easy for them to understand.
Teaching impulse control with “leave it”
As your puppy grows, it’s important to teach them some basic commands to help control their impulses. One of the best commands for this is “leave it.” This is a simple cue that tells your puppy to stop what they’re doing and move away from an object.
To teach this, hold a treat in your hand and say “leave it” and close your fist. When your puppy looks away from the treat, open your palm. If your puppy goes to grab the treat, close your palm again, until you can hold the treat on your palm and your puppy doesn’t try to take it. At that point, give your dog a cue that means they can get the treat, such as “ok, get it” and give them the treat. After doing this exercise a few times, your dog will leave the treat as soon as you say “leave it”.
The “leave it” command is a great tool for preventing your puppy from biting things they shouldn’t, like shoes or furniture. It’s also useful in situations where your puppy might be tempted to chase or bite things they shouldn’t – like other dogs or even moving objects. The key is to gradually increase the temptation, and to reward your dog when they listen to the leave it cue.
The importance of socialization
One of the most important things you can do for your puppy is to socialize them. Proper socialization helps prevent fear, anxiety, and bad behavior, including excessive biting.
Start by exposing your puppy to new people, other dogs, and various environments. Make sure these experiences are positive, and avoid overwhelming your pup. The more your puppy learns to be calm in different situations, the less likely they’ll resort to nipping out of fear or overstimulation.
Socializing your puppy will help them develop good manners around people and other pets. It’s also crucial for reducing anxiety, which can sometimes manifest as aggressive biting.
When to seek professional help to stop puppy biting
If your puppy’s biting gets out of control or if you notice signs of aggression, it might be time to seek professional help. A certified trainer or behaviorist can help assess your puppy’s behavior and develop a tailored plan to address biting or other issues.
Professional trainers specialize in positive reinforcement methods and can teach you how to better manage your puppy’s behavior. Sometimes, all you need is a bit of expert guidance to make a huge difference.
As a first step, you could join our puppy program and send us a video of the issue you are having. Our coaches will get back to you with feedback about your personal situation and recommend next steps.
Consistency and patience are key
The most important lesson in stopping puppy biting is patience. Puppies aren’t born with perfect manners, but with consistent training, they will get there. Remember to stay calm, be consistent with rewards, and always guide your puppy gently.
With a little time, effort, and understanding, you’ll soon have a puppy who’s grown out of the biting phase and into a happy, well-mannered dog.
Ready for more expert tips on stopping puppy biting? Check out OneMind Dogs’ Ultimate Guide to Stop Puppy Biting and Chewing for in-depth advice and step-by-step training strategies.
