How to Stop a Puppy from Biting (for Good)

Dogs aren’t born with good manners — they learn the right behaviors from pet parents who are dedicated, patient, and consistent. If you’ve brought your puppy home recently and realize that you have a nibbler quite literally on your hands, don’t get discouraged. Puppy biting is normal behavior for young dogs and can be reversed with the proper training.

We’ll cover some tips to stop puppy biting in this guide. But first, it’s important to understand why the tiniest (and furriest) member of your family likes to bite and why implementing puppy training early can pave the way for positive lifelong habits.

Understanding puppy biting behavior

Just like very young children, puppies are learning how to navigate the world around them, often using their mouths to explore and play. Plus, they go through a teething stage at around 12 to 16 months old (this time frame might be sooner or later depending on the breed), where they lose their temporary teeth and develop permanent ones.

With this in mind, know that puppy biting is normal, as it serves as a method of exploration and can help relieve pain and discomfort during the teething process. But what might seem like harmless biting when they’re puppies can quickly become painful and unsafe as they grow and settle into learned behaviors. Regardless of whether your puppy is biting furniture, people, or other pets, it’s crucial to put a stop to inappropriate puppy biting behavior early on. There are healthy ways for puppies to appease their biting instincts without causing harm, ensuring your furry friend grows into a well-behaved adult dog.

7 Tips to stop puppy biting

Worried about puppy biting? It’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian about your puppy’s specific needs and behaviors. You may also want to consider signing up for puppy classes and/or working with a professional dog trainer. That said, there’s plenty you can do on your own to help ensure your pup grows into a safe, well-behaved adult dog who knows not to bite others. Learn how to stop a puppy from biting with these expert tips and tricks.

1. Have a chew or tug toy on hand

One of the best things that you can do to stop puppy biting is redirect the behavior to an appropriate toy. At the first sign of biting, provide them with a vet-approved chew toy. This not only helps with your young pup’s training but can also give them relief during the teething stage.

Tug toys can also help when your pup is biting or nipping at your heels when you walk. If they’re prone to this behavior, keep a tug toy on hand. When they start nipping at your heels, stop walking and immediately wave the tug toy at them, inviting them to use their mouth on the toy instead. Once they do, start walking again as your dog tugs on the toy. This can help to redirect their behavior and learn that toys — not feet — are for biting.

To avoid any unwanted, aggressive behaviors with tug toys, make sure that you are the one initiating tug play, and teach your pup to eventually give up the toy, rewarding them for the behavior.

2. Respond to a bite with a high-pitched shriek

Responding as another puppy would to a bite can be effective in stopping your own pet from biting. When puppies bite or nip at each other too hard, the other puppy typically lets out a high-pitched yelp to communicate that the bite hurts.

You can do the same with your puppy. Every time they bite you or simply touch their teeth to your skin, squeal, shriek, or say “ow!” This response may startle your dog and can help redirect them to gentler behavior. When utilizing this puppy biting tip, however, be careful not to yell. Instead, make it more of a high-pitched yelp or shriek, as yelling loudly or aggressively may scare your dog.

While a high-pitched yelp can be effective for certain dogs, sometimes this response can rile your puppy up even more. Dogs crave attention, and some may interpret your yelp as a call to action.

3. Stop playtime when biting happens

When your puppy bites you, immediately stop whatever action you were taking, whether you were petting or playing with your dog. Stay calm, and put your hands under your arms, turn around, or even leave the room. After a minute or two, return to your puppy and reinitiate activity. If they become mouthy again, use the same response or try the high-pitched shriek method. These approaches tell your puppy that biting is not okay and will end playtime.

4. Keep your puppy active

Puppies, like children, are full of boundless energy, and they need somewhere to spend it. Your puppy may be more likely to bite and act out in general because they’re bored or have too much energy. This can happen with dogs of all ages, making the need for bite training early on all the more important. Make sure to give your puppy mental and physical stimulation through the day, like routine daily walks, games of fetch, and interactive puppy toys.

5. Reward good behavior

Always give your pup positive reinforcement with treats, pets, or verbal praise when they’re exhibiting correct behaviors, like when they stop biting during play. Rewards should immediately follow good behavior — ideally, within seconds. Waiting too long to reward runs the risk of your pup connecting a different behavior to the positive reinforcement, not the one you’re intending.

Be sure to consult your vet to ensure that you’re using the right quantity and types of treats that are safe for your pet.

6. Encourage household involvement

If you have more than one [human] member of the household, communicate these puppy biting tips and your dog’s unique training plan to everyone — kids included. With puppies, consistency is key. To see quicker improvement in their behavior, it’s crucial to ensure that everyone is using similar responses to biting.

Plus, getting children involved in training can help keep them safe from your pup’s sharp teeth. Every member of the household, including young ones, should be aware of what to do if your puppy bites or looks like they’re about to. Show your kids what toys to use and which responses are best for your pup. That said, children should never be left alone with your puppy as a precaution. Always be present to supervise and make sure everyone is practicing safe behavior.

7. Don’t give up

Just because your puppy is biting doesn’t mean you should stop playtime entirely or avoid initiating play. Far from it! Playing with your dog is a great time to train them and help them learn which behaviors are acceptable and which aren’t. You’re also developing a strong bond during training sessions.

So, don’t lose sight of the end goal. Keep at it, utilizing these tips along the way and staying calm throughout the process. If you’re ever in doubt or need some additional assistance, it never hurts to hire a certified dog trainer to set your furry companion up for long-term success.

The importance of early puppy training

Successful puppy training starts early. In fact, K-9 University notes that a puppy’s optimal training window closes at about 16 weeks old. Regardless of when you bring your little fuzzball home, it’s always best to start training them as soon as possible.

The benefits of early puppy training include:

• Improved socialization and emotional resilience
• Learned behaviors that are acceptable and not acceptable
• Positive lifelong behaviors
• Less of a risk of needing obedience training as an older dog
• A solidified bond between pet parents and their pups

In addition to teaching how to stop puppy biting, puppy training should include crate and potty training, leash training, basic commands, and how to play nicely.

Keep your puppy safe

While you likely have a lot on your puppy training to-do list, be sure to prioritize your new pet’s health. This means keeping up with veterinary checkups, feeding your puppy a healthy, vet-approved diet, and ensuring they get daily exercise. And, if you are experiencing any issues with training your puppy to stop biting or have noticed any behaviors that seem unhealthy, don’t hesitate to ask your vet for further advice.

Additionally, don’t overlook the value of dog insurance. Puppyhood is the best time to add a pet insurance policy because it can help to cover unexpected accidents and illnesses, no matter what mischief they might get into. Help protect your pup and your budget and learn more about puppy insurance today.