How to Stop Puppies from Biting: A Complete Guide for Dog Owners
Puppies are adorable balls of energy, but there is one behavior that can challenge any new owner: biting. At first it may seem cute to be nibbled on, but it soon becomes painful and problematic. In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you how to get your puppy to stop biting, with effective techniques to discourage this habit.
Why do puppies bite?
Before we learn how to stop puppies from biting, it’s important to understand why they bite in the first place. Puppy biting is a natural part of their development.
Exploration and play
Puppies use their mouths to explore the world around them, just like human babies do with their hands and mouths. Everything is new to a puppy, and they learn a lot about their environment by chewing, tasting, and nibbling on things—including you! This behavior is part of how they discover what’s safe and what’s not.
Teething discomfort
Teething is another big reason why puppies bite. Just like human infants, puppies go through a teething phase, typically between 3 to 6 months of age. During this time, they will bite anything they can get their mouths on—including your hands, furniture, or shoes—in an effort to relieve the discomfort and pain of erupting adult teeth. The good news is that teething doesn’t last forever, and you can help alleviate their discomfort by providing appropriate chew toys.
Attention-Seeking or excess energy
Sometimes, puppies bite because they’re trying to get your attention. Even if the reaction they get is negative, like a scolding, they’ve successfully captured your focus. As puppies get older, their motivations for biting may change. Older puppies tend to bite out of frustration or excess energy, so ensuring your puppy is well-exercised and mentally stimulated can help reduce biting behavior.
Effective techniques how to stop puppies from biting
1 Teach bite inhibition
Bite inhibition is one of the most effective tools for curbing puppy biting. The goal is to teach your puppy to control the strength of their bite. Here’s how to do it:
- When they bite too hard, yelp: When your puppy bites too hard, let out a loud, high-pitched “Ouch!”, “No!”or yelp. Puppies are used to this sound from their littermates, and it signals to them that they’ve gone too far. After yelping, immediately stop playing to show them that biting ends the fun.
- Withdraw attention: If your puppy doesn’t stop biting after the yelp, remove yourself from the situation by standing up and walking away for 30 seconds. Puppies love attention, and by momentarily ending playtime, they will begin to associate biting with the loss of your attention, which is a powerful motivator for them to stop. Puppies quickly learn that gentle play will keep your attention.
2 Redirect their biting to toys
Puppies bite because they’re teething or need an outlet for their energy. To stop puppy biting, you can redirect them towards appropriate alternatives:
- Offer a chew toy: Keep chew toys handy and give your puppy a toy whenever they start biting your hands or feet. Chew toys help relieve the discomfort of teething and allow them to safely exercise their natural urge to chew.
- Use a tug toy for interactive play: When playing with your puppy, introduce a tug toy. Tug games provide an acceptable outlet for biting energy, and they can help create a positive association with chewing on toys rather than fingers.
Always keep a variety of chew toys nearby. When your puppy starts to bite, immediately offer them a toy instead. Over time, they will learn that toys are for chewing, not hands or feet.
3 Teach “Leave It” or “No Bite” Command
Training your puppy with commands like “leave it” or “no bite” is an effective way to manage biting. When your puppy starts biting, calmly say “no bite” or “leave it.” Use a firm but not aggressive tone. When your puppy stops biting after hearing the command, offer praise or a treat. Positive reinforcement helps them understand what behavior is expected.
Keep training sessions short (around 5-10 minutes) to maintain your puppy’s attention and prevent frustration. Frequent, shorter sessions are often more effective than long, tiring ones.
4 Avoid encouraging rough play
Sometimes we unintentionally encourage biting through rough play, such as using hands to wrestle with the puppy. This can confuse the puppy and make them think biting is acceptable. Avoid roughhousing with your hands or feet. Use toys instead and always discourage any play that involves biting.
5 Socialize your puppy
Puppies who interact with other dogs learn proper behavior, including bite inhibition. Socialization helps puppies understand what is acceptable and what is not. Enroll your puppy in a puppy training class or arrange playdates with other vaccinated dogs. These interactions teach puppies how to play appropriately and reduce excessive biting.
6 Use light leash correction
If your puppy is overly persistent in biting, especially during training, you can use a leash as a controlled correction tool. This is especially helpful when a puppy starts to bite when they’re excited. Place a lightweight leash on your puppy while inside the home during training sessions. When the biting begins, give a gentle but firm tug on the leash to stop the behavior, followed by the “No” command. Always immediately redirect them to a toy and praise them when they choose the toy.
Understanding puppy teething and chewing
Teething is a major reason puppies bite. Teething typically starts when they’re around 3-4 months old and can continue until they’re 6-7 months. During this period, their gums are sore, and they will bite to relieve the discomfort.
Tips for teething relief:
- Frozen chew toys: Place a chew toy in the freezer for an hour before giving it to your puppy. The coolness will help soothe their gums.
- Teething rings for dogs: There are many teething rings made specifically for puppies that can be used to offer relief.
Freeze a puppy-safe toy, banana slices, or carrot sticks to help soothe your puppy’s sore gums during teething. The cold temperature will help numb the discomfort, providing relief and reducing their biting behavior.
What NOT to do when trying to stop puppy biting
When trying to stop a puppy from biting, there are certain techniques that you should avoid:
- Do NOT punish physically: Hitting, slapping, or pinching your puppy in response to biting can lead to fear and aggression. This kind of punishment teaches your puppy to be afraid of you rather than learning the appropriate behavior.
- Avoid inconsistent messages: Make sure everyone in the household follows the same rules when it comes to puppy biting. If one person allows the puppy to nip while another scolds them, your dog will become confused and won’t understand what’s expected of them.
- Don’t yell or scare your puppy: Raising your voice or scaring your puppy can create anxiety and make them more likely to bite out of fear. Always remain calm and assertive when correcting their behavior.
- Treating hands like toys: One common mistake is using your hands or fingers as a toy during playtime. It can be cute when your tiny puppy playfully gnaws on your fingers, but this behavior can become painful—and even dangerous—as they grow.
- Pulling hands away too quickly: When a puppy bites down on your hand, the natural reaction is to pull away quickly. However, this sudden movement can mimic prey behavior and may encourage your puppy to bite more—it becomes a fun game for them.
- Ignoring the importance of mental stimulation: Many puppy owners focus on physical exercise while overlooking the importance of mental stimulation. Puppies, especially intelligent breeds, need their brains engaged to avoid frustration. Lack of mental exercise can lead to boredom, which often manifests as excessive biting or destructive behavior.
How long does it take for puppies to stop biting?
Puppies generally start to reduce their biting behavior as they grow and learn proper bite inhibition. By around 5-6 months, with consistent training, most puppies will have learned not to bite hard. However, every puppy is different, and some may need a bit longer. Consistency and patience are key to ensuring success.
When to seek professional help
If your puppy continues to bite aggressively past 6-7 months of age, despite consistent training, consider consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. Some puppies may have developed habits that require extra help to correct, particularly if biting behavior is associated with anxiety or frustration.
Remember, every puppy has their own unique personality and timeline. With consistent training, patience, and the right approach, your puppy will eventually grow out of this phase and develop into a well-mannered, gentle companion.
Conclusion
Stopping puppy biting requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. By teaching bite inhibition, redirecting to appropriate toys, and rewarding good behavior, you can help your puppy learn the boundaries they need for safe play. Remember, puppies are learning, and they need gentle guidance to develop into well-behaved, happy adult dogs.