How to Stop a Puppy Biting

One common challenge for puppy owners is their puppy's tendency to bite and chew on anything and everything. Puppies naturally explore their world by mouthing and biting, including hands, limbs, clothing and even more dangerous objects. While this playful behaviour may seem cute initially, it becomes more challenging to manage as the puppy grows, especially as the mouthing, nipping, or biting becomes more destructive. Whether you are simply looking for ways to stop a puppy nipping or chewing or a more specific query about how to stop a puppy from biting your feet and hands, there are a variety of suggestions and tips available.

Understanding your dog: Insights from Kimberley Nicolle, Qualified Force-Free Dog Trainer

Learn puppy training to stop them from biting and nipping.

Naughty puppy pulling on trouser leg outdoors.

How to Train a Puppy Not to Bite

Training your puppy not to bite is crucial for their development and your peace of mind. Here are some effective techniques to help curb biting behaviour:

1. Bite Inhibition

Bite inhibition is a puppy's ability to control the force of their bite while playing and exploring. Without learning this skill, they may not regulate their bites, leading to problem behaviour. Puppies learn bite inhibition from their mother and siblings, but you can support this development through puppy training and play sessions by redirecting hard-mouthing and positively reinforcing gentle-mouthing. Teaching your puppy to use a soft mouth helps them socialise safely with people and other animals.

2. Substitute a Chew Toy

When your puppy starts biting, redirect its attention to a puppy chew toy. Be sure to offer a variety of safe, durable toys appropriate for their age and size. You can then praise your puppy when it chews on the toy instead of your hands or furniture, encouraging an appropriate outlet for chewing instincts while also protecting your belongings. It is a form of puppy training to stop biting without them even knowing it!

Always inspect toys for wear and replace them as needed to prevent choking hazards.

3. Puppy Time Out

Not sure how to stop a puppy from biting when excited? If they continue to nip and bite despite redirection, don’t hesitate to give them a brief time-out. Stop playing and refrain from offering any attention for a few minutes, as it will teach your puppy to recognise that biting leads to the end of fun activities.

Place them in a designated time-out area or crate if necessary, but ensure it's a safe and comfortable space. Consistency is key—repeat the time-out process every time your puppy bites.

5. Use Up Puppy Energy

Puppies may bite or chew because they have excess energy and get overly excited. In these instances, settling them down for puppy naps won’t cut it, so try engaging your pup in some physical activities like fetch, tug-of-war, or short walks to burn off their energy. Mental stimulation is equally important—use puzzle toys, training exercises, and interactive games to challenge their mind.

6. Stop Puppy Jumping and Biting

Puppy training can encourage them to choose alternative behaviours to jumping and biting. Use commands like "sit" to redirect their actions, reward them with treats and praise when they sit calmly instead of jumping. If they become overexcited and bite or jump, there should be no treat or praise.

Consistent training and positive reinforcement will help your puppy understand that calm behaviour is more rewarding.

How to Prevent My Puppy From Biting

As you play with your puppy, you may notice nipping and biting behaviour. There are a few ways to stop a puppy from biting when excited or playing, which can help prevent aggressive puppy play.

Preventing your puppy from biting involves understanding and avoiding behaviours that may encourage biting, as well as using positive reinforcement to teach appropriate behaviour.

Avoid Encouraging Biting:

•   No Finger Waving: Avoid waving your fingers or hands in your puppy’s face, as this can be seen as an invitation to bite. Instead, keep your hands still and use toys for interactive play.
•    Avoid Quick Movements: Quick, jerky movements can excite your puppy and encourage them to jump and bite. Move calmly and gently around your puppy to prevent overstimulation.
•    Discourage Rough Play: Avoid roughhousing with your puppy, which can lead to biting. Engage in gentle play with appropriate toys instead.

Never Hit Your Puppy:

Never hit or physically punish your puppy to stop biting. While you might think it can deter the behaviour, it will more likely cause fear and aggression, leading to harder biting and more behavioural issues. Instead, use time-outs and positive reinforcement to correct behaviour.

Set Boundaries:

• Teach Commands: Use commands like “no bite” or “gentle” to teach your puppy boundaries. Consistently use these commands whenever your puppy attempts to bite.
• Calm Interactions: Encourage calm interactions by petting your puppy gently and avoiding actions that excite them. This helps to prevent biting and jumping.

Consistent Puppy Training:

Consistency is key in preventing biting. Ensure all family members follow the same rules and training methods to avoid confusing your puppy. Be patient and persistent with your puppy; they will learn the appropriate behaviour.
If rough play continues or escalates, you will likely need the assistance of a qualified force-free trainer or behavioural veterinarian to address it.

Puppy Training to Stop Aggressive Biting

Aggressive puppy biting can be concerning and may indicate underlying issues.

Identifying Aggressive Puppy Biting:

•    Intense Biting: Unlike playful nipping, aggressive biting is more intense and can be quite painful, even drawing blood.
•   Growling and Snarling: Accompanied by growling, snarling, and showing teeth.
•    Stiff Body Posture: The puppy’s body may become stiff and rigid during aggressive episodes.
•    Prolonged Biting: The puppy may continue to bite even after attempts to redirect or stop the behaviour.

Causes of Aggressive Puppy Biting:

•    Fear and Anxiety: Aggressive puppy biting may occur due to fear or anxiety, especially in unfamiliar situations or around new people and animals.
•   Frustration: Similar to puppy tantrums, frustration from not getting what they want can lead to aggressive behaviour.
•    Lack of Socialisation: Insufficient exposure to different environments, people, and other animals can result in fear-based aggression.
•    Pain or Discomfort: Physical pain or medical issues can cause a puppy to react aggressively when touched.
•   Resource Guarding: Protecting their food, toys, or space can lead to aggressive biting.

Managing Aggressive Puppy Biting:

It is important to seek support early from a veterinarian or an accredited trainer if you notice signs of aggressive behaviour such as growling, baring teeth, stiffening or fixed staring. Some techniques they may suggest are:
•   Positive Reinforcement: Reward calm and gentle behaviour with treats and praise. Avoid using punishment, as it can increase fear and aggression.
•   Controlled Environment: Create a safe and controlled environment where your puppy feels secure. Use baby gates or playpens to manage interactions.
•    Teach Commands: Train your puppy to respond to commands like "leave it," "drop it," and "sit" to help manage their behaviour.

How to Discipline a Puppy for Biting

You should not discipline your puppy for biting, as using direct punishment is confusing and scary for them and can increase fear. Instead, if you want to learn how to stop puppy biting, especially when they are excited, you can utilise concepts like:
•    Puppy Time Out: Use time-outs positively to help your puppy calm down and stop mouthing. Place them in their pen or crate with a long-lasting source of enrichment.
•   Interactive Food Toys: Provide toys that encourage licking and chewing to help your puppy relax and feel content, giving you a break.
•    Stay Calm and Patient: Ensure you are calm and patient so your puppy does not feel entrapped or punished.
•   Positive Reinforcement: After they relax and engage in a calming activity, let them back out to continue interactions.

When investigating how to stop your puppy from nipping, remember that a gentle, positive approach will be far more successful than aggressive strategies and will help foster positive emotions while reinforcing your connection with your puppy.

Puppy Biting Help

If you're struggling with your puppy's biting behaviour and need further assistance, there are professional services available to help you determine whether their mouthing behaviour is normal and how to manage it effectively.

Puppy Training Classes:

•    Accredited Trainers: Enrolling in puppy training classes with a qualified force-free trainer can help you implement a behaviour modification plan and show you different strategies to address biting.
•    Personalised Plans: Trainers can create personalised training plans based on your puppy's specific behaviours. Early intervention is key to addressing any problems or concerns and preventing habitual development.
•    Socialisation: Training classes also offer opportunities for socialisation, reducing fear and anxiety-based biting.

For more information on understanding your puppy's behaviour, visit our pages on dog body language and dog behaviour.

Veterinary Advice:

If the methods we have explored above on how to stop your puppy from nipping aren’t working or the problem is getting worse, it is a good ideas to schedule a veterinary check-up to rule out any medical issues.

Positive Puppy Training:

A positive reinforcement strategy focuses on rewarding your puppy for its desired behaviours. Dogs repeat behaviours that give them what they want, so rewarding calm and gentle behaviour helps reinforce it. To encourage these behaviours, offer treats and praise when your puppy is calm and quiet. Consistency in positive reinforcement can gradually build a solid training routine.

If you would like to explore positive reinforcement techniques in more detail, read our pieces on dog care tips and how to train your dog.

FAQs

At what age does a puppy stop biting?
Puppy biting or mouthing is a normal part of their development, especially during their teething phase, which typically occurs between 3 and 6 months of age. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for when puppy biting ends.

Often, puppies bite because they are exploring the world around them, teething or playing. Your puppy could have their full set of adult teeth at approximately seven months of age, at which point mouthing may reduce, whereas play biting is a phase that, if managed carefully, can resolve while your puppy is still a young dog.
Why do puppies chew on everything?
Puppies, just like human infants, use their mouths to explore the new environments around them. They nip and bite as they play, and they bite different objects to better understand them. Puppies also use biting to relieve the teething discomfort that may occur during the first several months of their lives. While most biting and nipping behaviour by puppies is normal, some dogs may develop aggressive biting due to fear.

How to Stop a Puppy Biting Furniture
Knowing how to stop your puppy from biting the furniture can help to protect your belongings from further damage. It is important to watch and oversee your pup to make sure they are saved from their own curiosity and prevented from putting everything in their mouth. It can also help to confine your puppy to approved spaces, particularly if you need to leave them alone for periods of time. Be mindful to set up the environment to set your puppy up for success. Restrict their access to things you do not want them to have access to. For example, you can use baby gates to create zones in the house to ensure your puppy does not have unsupervised access to particular rooms. Store away anything your puppy may find and chew that you do not want damaged. Make sure to provide your puppy with things they can chew so they can exhibit normal canine behaviour. It is also helpful to ensure that your puppy is getting enough physical exercise as well as mental stimulation.
How Much Biting is Normal for a Puppy?
Puppies explore the world with their mouths and use biting as a way to play and interact with their environment. Here are some key points to consider about normal puppy biting:
•   Playful Biting: Most puppies engage in playful biting with their littermates and owners, being usually gentle and accompanied by playful behaviour, such as tail wagging and relaxed body language.
•    Teething: As puppies' teeth come in, they may bite more frequently to alleviate discomfort. Providing appropriate chew toys can help satisfy their need to chew and reduce biting on hands and furniture.
•    Exploratory Biting: Puppies use their mouths to explore new objects and textures, which is a normal behaviour, but should be directed towards safe and appropriate items.
While some biting is normal, start puppy training to stop biting early, allowing them plenty of time to learn the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. Teaching bite inhibition, providing chew toys, and using positive reinforcement can help manage and reduce excessive biting. If your puppy’s biting is intense, aggressive, or persistent despite training efforts, consulting with a veterinarian or an accredited trainer is recommended.

AU-CAN-0040-2024