How can you stop puppies from biting

how to stop puppy biting and nipping

If your pup has a problem with nipping or biting, you are not alone! Most puppies feel the need to chew on something to help their new teeth work through their gums. This may be adorable when they’re teeny, but using people as teething toys, even during play, does not age well. A puppy that thinks fingers are toys and that nipping is nice may have no problem playfully nipping at you and your guests in the future.

There are many ways to stop your puppy from biting, and it’s a lot easier to nip biting habits in the bud when they’re small. Here’s what to do, what to avoid, how to stick with your training, and what teething toy alternatives you can offer those needle-toothed little jaws.

Like all doggy training techniques, you’ll have the most success when you start young. We recommend that you start right when your pup arrives at their new home. Set the standard early. You’ll be happy later on that you’re ahead of the curve, especially when it’s time to start socializing.

We know it’s hard to resist those puppy-dog eyes, but simply getting up and ignoring your puppy when they bite is often the best method. Usually puppies nip because they want to play. A sudden stop to playtime lets your pup know that biting isn’t part of a good time.

Consistently walk away every time your puppy bites, without exception, and train your family to do the same. This kind of reinforcement is more effective in the long run.

Puppy teeth hurt! To keep your puppy from nipping at you or your guests every time your pup is playing, offer chew toys instead of your hands, shirt, ankles, or shoes. This will satisfy your puppy’s natural need to gnaw and reward proper chew toy play. Remember, always supervise your pup while they are chewing on a toy.

• Don’t hold your puppy’s mouth closed when they nip at you. This method can send the wrong message to some developing pups.
• Don’t use a puppy’s crate as punishment. Their crate should be their happy place.

Obedience training can be a challenge. Your puppy may push back with repeated, rapid, or even aggressive biting. Stay calm and don’t retaliate. Instead, show your puppy that their biting hurts you! It’s okay to get dramatic and make a big, loud show of the pain (like other dogs would do) before you walk away to help discourage the naughty behavior from continuing in the future.

And if you’re stumped, please reach out to your veterinary team. We’re here for love, health, happiness, and puppy wisdom.

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How to stop your puppy from biting and nipping

Teaching your puppy not to bite is an exceptionally important element of puppy training, as a biting adult dog is a serious danger to other people – particularly children – and other pets. Use these five lessons to make sure the training sticks.

Lesson 1: No hard biting

It’s tempting to try to completely curb your puppy’s biting and mouthing from the beginning. However, doing so will skip a vital step – allowing your puppy to understand the limits of how hard they can press against skin before it becomes

painful. Teaching this lesson gives your puppy a built-in inhibition against causing harm if it should become stressed or scared.

To teach your puppy not to bite hard, take your cues from natural puppy play. Gentle mouthing and nibbling is natural behaviour, so let your puppy indulge in this, but when you feel a hard bite, make a yelping sound and let your hand lie still.

This will show your puppy that it’s gone too far, and soon it will learn to adjust. Everyone the puppy plays with should adopt this strategy, so that eventually your puppy will gently mouth your hands rather than nip or bite. Consistency is an important part of puppy training and will help reinforce these lessons.

Lesson 2: No teeth on skin

Now that your puppy has learned the pain threshold for biting human skin, it’s time for the next lesson: no teeth on skin. To do this, continue with the previous technique, but now you should yelp and go limp at the slightest nip. This will show your puppy that no level of teeth on skin is acceptable.

You can reinforce this training exercise through treats: hold a treat in a closed hand, and only open your hand when your puppy is not mouthing, chewing or pawing at your fingers. This will demonstrate that mouths and skin do not belong together. It may take some time and patience, but puppies are like children – they’re programmed to learn and adapt!

Lesson 3: Use toys to redirect their attention 

Since chewing, mouthing and biting are natural behaviours for dogs, we don’t want to discourage them completely. Early on, puppies need to know that chewing on toys is fine, but chewing on skin is not. While your puppy is learning the first two lessons, make sure to provide plenty of chew toys so it can understand that while skin is a no-no, toys can be chewed to its heart’s content.

Lesson 4: Walk away 

Puppies and young children have many traits in common: both can find it hard to focus on lessons, particularly when they’re excited. Sometimes, the best thing to do is give your puppy a little time to calm down in their playpen, perhaps with a nice chew toy.

Don’t think of this as a punishment, but simply a chance for your puppy to calm down. Training can resume when the pup feels a little more tranquil.

Lesson 5: Discourage herding instincts 

Some breeds of dog, such as Australian Cattle Dogs, Collies or Shetland Sheepdogs, have strong herding instincts, which can lead them to nip at ankles in an effort to keep the ‘herd’ moving. If your dog does this, try to stand still so it understands that nipping ankles will have the opposite effect to its intention. Avoid wearing flip-flops as this draws the attention of the dog to your heels.

Stay calm and focused 

Puppy training requires a lot of patience and perseverance. Your puppy may not understand the lessons you’re trying to teach straight away, but it’s best to remain calm and focused regardless. Shouting at your pup or scolding them may frighten them or cause them unnecessary stress which may be remembered into adulthood – and lead to the exact behaviour you’re trying to prevent.

If you think your puppy is struggling to learn your lessons about biting, then consider seeking the help of a professional trainer. Dogs that bite are a danger to you and others – and ultimately it’s your responsibility to ensure that your dog is safe to be around.

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