How to Stop a Puppy from Biting: 7 Simple Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Training your puppy to stop biting takes time and the right methods. Here are ways that work well to fix this behavior.

1. Teach Your Puppy Not to Bite Too Hard

When your puppy bites too hard during play, make a loud "ow" sound and stop playing right away. This is like how other puppies react when they get hurt. Walk away from your puppy for 10-30 seconds to show that biting stops the fun. Come back and play with a toy instead of using your hands.

2. Give Your Puppy the Right Toys to Chew

Always keep safe puppy toys near you so you can quickly give them something else to bite. When your puppy starts to bite your hand, give them a chew toy right away. Say "good dog" when they choose the toy instead of your skin. Change toys often to keep your puppy interested.

3. Reward Good Behavior

Give your puppy treats and say "good dog" when they play nicely without biting. This teaches them that calm, gentle behavior gets them good things. Give treats right away when your puppy stops biting or picks a toy instead of your hand.

4. Teach the "Leave It" Command

Hold a treat in your closed hand and let your puppy smell it. When they stop trying to get the treat, say "leave it" and give them a treat from your other hand. Do this many times to help your puppy learn to control themselves during play and daily life.

5. Make Sure Your Puppy Gets Enough Exercise

Tired puppies bite less because they have less extra energy. Give your puppy the right amount of exercise, training time, and thinking games to keep their mind and body busy. A tired puppy will be calmer and pay attention better during training.

6. Use Quiet Time When Needed

If your puppy keeps biting even when you try to stop them, calmly put them in a quiet, safe place for 30-60 seconds. This is not a punishment. It helps your puppy calm down. Bring them back to play only when they are relaxed and ready to be gentle.

7. Let Your Puppy Meet Other Dogs

Let your puppy play with well-behaved adult dogs and other puppies in safe places. Other dogs will teach your puppy important lessons about biting that humans cannot teach. Always watch these play times to make sure all dogs stay safe.

Biting is a common problem on puppies. There are various reasons why puppies love to bite things, and here are some of them:

1. Growing New Teeth

Puppies lose their baby teeth between 12-16 weeks old, and their gums hurt and feel itchy. Biting and chewing help make this feel better, just like human babies need to chew when their teeth come in. This behavior is worst around 13 weeks old and gets better as adult teeth grow in.

2. Learning About the World

Puppies use their mouths to learn about things around them, just like human babies use their hands. They find out about how things feel, taste, and their temperature by biting and chewing different objects. This helps them understand what is safe and what they should stay away from.

3. Playing Like They Did with Other Puppies

In their first home, puppies play-fight with their brothers and sisters and learn bite control from their mother and other puppies. When they bite too hard, other puppies cry and stop playing, which teaches important social skills. Your puppy may try to play with you the same way they played with their puppy family.

4. Getting Attention from You

Some puppies quickly learn that biting gets them attention right away, even if you are not happy about it. They may keep doing this because any reaction from you is better than being ignored. This makes the biting behavior stronger and harder to stop over time.

5. Having Too Much Energy

Puppies have lots of energy and may bite when they feel bored, frustrated, or too excited. Without good ways to use their energy, they may bite as a way to let out their feelings. Giving them enough physical and mental activities helps reduce this type of biting.

Avoiding these common mistakes will help your training work better and keep a good relationship with your puppy.

1. Never Hit or Hurt Your Puppy

Hitting, slapping, or hurting your puppy will not teach them good behavior. Instead, it can make them scared, mean, or more likely to bite to protect themselves. Hurting your puppy breaks the trust between you and can create big behavioral problems later.

2. Don't Yell or Use Mean Words

Shouting at your puppy when they bite can actually make them want to do it more, because some puppies think loud sounds are exciting play. Mean words can also make your puppy afraid of you and less likely to listen to training. Keep your voice calm and controlled during all training times.

3. Don't Play Rough Games

Wrestling, rough play, or letting your puppy chase and grab your hands sends confusing messages about when biting is okay. These games can make your puppy too excited and more likely to bite during normal times. Always use toys for active play instead of your hands and feet.

4. Never Pull Away Fast

When your puppy bites, don't pull your hand away quickly. This fast movement can make your puppy want to chase and bite harder. Instead, let your hand stay still and make a gentle sound to show you don't like the behavior.

5. Don't Ignore the Problem

Hoping that puppy biting will stop by itself is not realistic and can be dangerous. Without proper training, biting behavior often continues and can get worse as your puppy grows bigger and stronger. Start training right away to prevent serious problems later.

6. Don't Use Different Training Methods

Using different ways to train or letting some family members allow biting while others stop it will confuse your puppy. Everyone in your house should follow the same rules and training methods. Being consistent is very important for successful puppy training and faster results.

7. Don't Wait Too Long to Get Help

If your puppy's biting seems mean, causes injuries, or doesn't get better with consistent training, call a professional dog trainer or animal behavior expert. Getting help early can prevent serious behavioral problems and make sure your puppy grows into a well-behaved adult dog.