It’s completely normal for puppies to bite and nip at you as they explore the world. Puppies use their mouths to play, communicate, and investigate objects. While it’s a normal part of their development, it’s important to curb biting behavior to avoid injury. Understanding why puppies bite and how to handle it properly will make training easier on both you and your pup.
Why Do Puppies Bite?
Puppies bite and nip for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common:
- Teething – Puppies begin teething around 3-4 months old. They may bite and chew more during this stage.
- Exploring – Puppies use their mouths to explore their environment. Biting helps them learn more about objects.
- Play – For puppies, biting is a way to interact and play with littermates. They transfer this behavior to people.
- Communication – Since they can’t talk yet, puppies use biting to communicate feelings like frustration, excitement, fear, etc.
- Attention-seeking – Puppies may nip at you to get your attention and interact.
When Does Puppy Biting Behavior Peak?
Puppy biting behavior is most prevalent between 12-16 weeks old. There are a few reasons for this:
- Teething reaches its peak during this age range as puppies get their adult teeth
- Puppies are very energetic, explorative, and playful at this juvenile stage
- They are still learning how to communicate properly with family members
- They are testing boundaries and their ranking in the family unit (“pack”)
With patience, consistency and proper training, biting should taper off around 6 months old as your puppy matures.
How Should I React When My Puppy Bites?
It’s natural to recoil or yelp when a puppy nips you, but be careful not to reinforce the behavior by overreacting. Some things to keep in mind when your puppy bites:
- Stay calm – Speak in a calm, firm voice. Do not yell or get angry.
- Ignore your puppy – If they bite for attention, ignore them or walk away to teach them that biting makes playtime stop.
- Redirect biting – Give them an appropriate chew toy instead and praise them when they take the toy.
- Be consistent – Everyone in the household should follow the same approach to stopping bites.
How Can I Get My Puppy to Stop Biting?
Here are some effective ways to stop puppy biting:
Provide Chew Toys
Give your puppy plenty of toys appropriate for chewing and biting. Praise them when they chew toys instead of people. Rotate toys to keep your pup engaged and interested.
Use Treats and Positive Reinforcement
Reward your puppy with treats when they play gently without biting. Say “Yes!” or click and treat when they lick instead of nip. This positive reinforcement will encourage good behavior.
Redirect Biting
If your pup starts biting you, immediately redirect their mouth to a chew toy. Praise them for taking the toy instead. This distracts them from biting you and teaches what they should bite.
Withdraw Attention
When your puppy starts biting, yelp “Ouch,” and walk away ignoring them for 10-30 seconds. This teaches them that biting makes playtime end. Do this consistently.
Use Hand Feeding
Feed your puppy a portion of their meals by hand. Ask them to sit first. If they get mouthy, end hand feeding for now. Hand feeding helps them see hands as positive.
Teach Bite Inhibition
As soon as teeth touch skin, yelp “Ouch!” in a high-pitched voice and stop play. Your puppy will learn that biting hurts you and inhibit the force of their bites.
Take a Time Out
When biting continues, immediately leave for 30-60 seconds. Put your puppy in a boring timeout area with no stimulation or attention. This teaches that biting leads to isolation and boredom.
Use a House Line
Attach a 6-10 foot leash around your puppy’s house living area. You can use the leash to quickly control and redirect biting behavior with little reinforcement.
Enroll in Training Classes
Sign your puppy up for positive reinforcement puppy kindergarten and obedience classes. These provide structured environments for teaching polite play and handling.
Avoid Aggressive Discipline
Never respond to puppy biting behavior by hitting them, alpha rolling them, or other forms of physical punishment. This will only make biting and aggression worse.
Will My Puppy Grow Out of Biting?
Yes, with consistent training and maturity, puppy biting will resolve. Follow these guidelines:
- Be patient – Puppies bite a lot as they learn and grow. It takes time for training to be effective.
- Start training early – Begin addressing biting behavior between 8-10 weeks old.
- Use positive reinforcement – Praise and reward good behavior instead of punishing.
- Be consistent – Everyone should respond to biting the same way every time.
- Provide alternatives – Redirect your puppy’s need to chew and bite onto appropriate toys.
If you stick to the plan, your puppy’s biting should taper off around 6 months old as their adult teeth come in and they mature socially.
When Should I Be Concerned About Puppy Biting?
Contact your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer if:
- Biting continues after 6 months of age
- Your puppy is breaking skin and drawing blood
- Biting shows signs of aggression – growling, lunging, staring, etc.
- You cannot safely take items or food away from your puppy
- The biting seems related to resource guarding of toys, food or sleeping areas
- Your puppy goes into a frenzy and bites repeatedly without stopping
These signs could indicate an underlying behavioral issue needing professional intervention. Schedule a veterinary behaviorist appointment as soon as possible.
Puppy Biting Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some handy do’s and don’ts when dealing with a nippy puppy:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Provide plenty of chew toys | Play aggressively with your hands |
| Use positive reinforcement | Try dominance techniques like alpha rolls |
| Teach gentle play | Yank items away from puppy’s mouth |
| Be patient and consistent | Lose your temper and yell |
| Redirect biting to toys | Expect overnight results |
| Withdraw attention after biting | Use physical punishment |
Puppy Biting Tips and Tricks
Here are some extra pointers to stop puppy biting:
- Give your puppy plenty of exercise to burn off energy
- Use tasty chews like frozen Kongs to occupy them during playtimes
- Ensure your puppy is getting adequate nutrition from their diet
- Keep puppy nails trimmed to avoid scrapes if they jump
- Pet gently around your puppy’s ears, paws and tail to get them used to handling
- Practice obedience commands like “sit” to reinforce structure and positive behavior
- Always supervise interactions between kids and puppies
Conclusion
It’s completely normal for puppies to bite, especially as they teeth, explore, play, and communicate. With time, patience and consistency, you can curb biting before it becomes a long-term habit. Use redirection, withdrawal of attention and rewards for positive behavior. Seek professional help immediately if biting seems abnormal or aggressive. Stay calm, be kind, and understand that your puppy will outgrow this behavior with proper guidance.