How to Stop Your Puppy from Biting

Puppies explore the world through their mouths! It is a normal part of growing up, whether it’s your hands, your tv cables, a leaf that flew by, or anything else that crosses their path. It’s also an important part of their social development – it's how they learn boundaries.

Biting and nipping can also be a coping mechanism for teething. I recommend buying your pooch some soft chew toys to help them relieve any discomfort they’re feeling during this time.

So – how do you stop a puppy from nipping? There are a few ways you can curb this behaviour, which I have shared below. Note that it is super important that dog owners are vigilant in their dog training, as behaviour tendencies are usually inherited from owners.

Toy trading and redirecting biting away from you and towards a toy is a healthy way of managing their natural urge to chew. This is especially helpful for teething. Just make sure to find an appropriate chew toy for your pup, using a range of shapes, textures and materials.

To redirect their attention when they go to nip your hand, tell them “No”, move your hands away and place a sturdy dog toy in their mouth. Repeat these steps each time this happens.

Besides chew toys, you can also use dog chew treats which are just as effective at redirecting their attention.

The more you wind up your puppy, the more they will bite, it’s as simple as that! Instead, play in a more constructive way without inadvertently encouraging biting. There are plenty of non-contact games that you can do with your pup to redirect their mouthing urges onto toys, from fetch to tug of war.

When your pup nips you, stop engaging, turn away and fold your arms out of reach.

If you do this properly, it can be the most effective way to discourage biting. I call it “speaking puppy” as it’s exactly what another puppy would do if they were bitten too hard during play. You can even go further and let out a sharp yelp – again, exactly what a startled puppy would do—to further make your point.

Time-outs can also be effective in discouraging biting. If you’ve tried withdrawing your attention, as above, and it hasn’t worked, I would turn to this method next. Simply leave the room to give your pup time to calm down or place them in an empty room. I would not recommend putting them in their bed or crate, however. It's important that these spots remain positive places.

Puppies learn best from observing other well-behaved dogs. I would recommend encouraging your puppy to socialise with gentle dogs to inspire good behaviour and less nipping.

Scolding your puppy for biting can be confusing and anxiety-inducing for a puppy, which can potentially lead to even worse behaviour. A firm ‘No’ is fine but anything more could backfire. Stick to using the above strategies instead.

Feet, like your hands, can be an enticing target for biting, partly because they move around a lot. To deter your puppy, encourage them to follow you, and, by holding up a puppy treat at waist level, divert their attention away from your feet. The above instructions should also help, too.

For most puppies, mouthing, nipping and biting usually stops once they reach between three and five months of age. If biting persists or if their behaviour becomes more aggressive, seek guidance from your vet.

Hopefully this article can help you train your new little friend how to play nice. Remember, puppies require patience, support, and guidance, as well as consistency.

The information in this article is intended as a guide to help pets and pet parents on their journey together. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for professional advice from a vet, behaviourist, trainer or other professional. We encourage all pet parents to consult with their vet and/or behaviourist to ensure their pet’s specific needs are met.

Published on 24/01/2025