How to Stop Puppy From Biting: Most Effective Tips From Doggy Dan

Why Puppies Bite: Top 6 Reasons Why Your Dog Is In a Biting Stage

Your Puppy Uses Their Mouth To Explore Everything

Puppies, bless their hearts, are naturally curious. They use their mouths to investigate the world, just like babies use their hands. So, that nibbling on your fingers? It's often just playful exploration, not aggression.

They Are Teething

Just like human babies, your puppy goes through a tough time when those adult teeth start pushing through. A puppy chewing on random stuff needs help soothing its sore gums. So, offer plenty of safe chew toys and a bit of extra patience during this phase. Never tolerate your puppy's tendency to use your hand for chewing — even puppy teeth hurt! A tug toy or a safe chew toy is great for a puppy's sharp teeth.

Your Puppy Is Looking For A Way To Get Your Attention

A biting puppy can be craving for your attention. Your puppy will try all sorts of ways to get your attention, even if it means they will mouth gently or do a little nip here and there! It's like they're saying, “Hey, look at me!” So, make sure to give them plenty of positive attention for good behavior.

(You can learn more about handling your puppy and adult dogs' need for attention here.) 

Your Puppy Expresses Excitement Through Biting

Puppies are bundles of energy, and sometimes that excitement overflows into playful nips. They get so caught up in the moment that they forget their manners. It's like a friendly game of tag that gets a bit too boisterous!

They Are Anxious

Sometimes, biting can be a sign that your puppy is feeling anxious or overwhelmed. It's their way of saying, “I need a little space.” So, be mindful of their body language and create a safe, comfortable environment where they feel secure.

They Have Not Learned Bite Inhibition Yet

Puppies learn how to control their bite strength through interactions with their littermates and mom. If they missed out on that early socialization, they might need a little extra help understanding how to play gently. For a puppy who doesn't know about bite inhibition, play biting can become extreme. Think of it like learning a new game – it takes practice and guidance!

They Are Reactive 

Your puppy's world is a whirlwind of new sights, sounds, and smells. It's all a bit overwhelming, really! And sometimes, that overstimulation can lead to reactive biting.

Think of it like this: your pup's still learning to regulate their emotions. They might get startled by a sudden noise, feel a bit anxious in a new environment, or simply get overexcited during play. And in those moments of heightened emotion, their instinct might be to nip or bite.

It's not aggression, mind you. It's more like an impulsive reaction, a way of saying, “Whoa, that's a bit much for me right now!”

Understanding Puppy Biting Behavior: When Your Puppy Mouths Their Sibling

In nature, it's so natural for puppies to mouth their siblings. Playful mouthing is part of their interaction. 

They understand exactly what's acceptable and what's not. When they're living with us however we often struggle to come to terms with what is okay and what's not. 

Some dog owners dismiss biting behavior as “part of a puppy's growing up years” and do nothing about it. 

I sometimes find myself working with people whose homes have been turned into fish bowls where their puppy is like a piranha fish trying to bite anything that moves!

One of the top reasons why puppies go on a biting rampage is because leadership and boundaries around biting are not set in place. 

What do I mean by this? 

You Deal With Puppy Temper Tantrum and Excessive Biting Because Your Puppy Doesn't See You As The One In Charge

Think of it like this: in a dog's world, there's always a leader. If you haven't established yourself as the calm and assertive pack leader, your puppy might try to take the reins (or, should we say, the leash!). They might think, “Well, if no one else is going to lead, I guess I'll have a go!” This can manifest as frustrating temper tantrums and excessive biting.

You Have Not Yet Taught Your Puppy What Is Acceptable and What Is Not

Puppies are like little sponges, eager to learn about the world. But they need our guidance to understand the rules of the human pack. If they haven't been taught that biting is unacceptable, they'll simply continue to use their mouths to explore and communicate. It's up to us to set clear boundaries and teach them appropriate behavior.

Teach your puppy these boundaries and rules to nip future aggression in the bud.

One of my best selling courses, the Puppy Coach, is created to help puppy owners deal with challenging dog behaviors like biting. You can check it out here.

What To Do To Stop Your Puppy's Biting Behavior

#1: Establish Yourself As The Gentle, Reliable Leader

Dogs are social animals with a natural instinct to look for a leader within their pack. 

By consistently displaying calm energy that communicates “I got you, I'll take care of you,” you fulfill that role. When your puppy understands you're in charge, they'll feel more secure and less likely to resort to biting out of insecurity or a need to assert themselves.

I talk more about establishing leadership in your dog's eyes in my 5 Golden Rules of Leadership series you can read here.

#2: Help Your Puppy Overcome Reactivity

Reactivity in puppies often stems from a lack of socialization, fear, or anxiety. What could be nothing for some can actually be a trigger for a reactive puppy who resorts to biting when triggered. 

To address this, focus on creating positive associations with potential triggers. Gradually introduce your puppy to new sights, sounds, and experiences in a controlled environment, pairing these exposures with rewards and praise. Teaching calming signals, like ‘look away' or ‘sniff the ground,' can also empower your puppy to communicate their needs without resorting to biting.

You can also join my free webinar on puppy reactivity to learn more about this.

#3: Set Boundaries and Rules in Place

Clear communication is crucial for preventing biting. When your puppy bites, calmly and consistently redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy or withdraw your attention altogether. This teaches them that biting is not an acceptable way to interact with you. Consistency is key – every time your puppy bites, react in the same calm, assertive manner. This predictability helps them learn the rules faster.

#4: Ask Help From A Puppy Behavior Professional

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we need a little extra guidance. A certified dog trainer or behaviorist can provide personalized support, assess your puppy's specific needs, and create a tailored training plan. They can also help you identify any underlying issues that may be contributing to the biting behavior, ensuring you address the root cause and set your puppy up for success.

This approach maintains the friendly, approachable tone while providing more concrete information and actionable advice. It's like having a knowledgeable friend who not only understands dog behavior but also knows how to explain it in a clear and helpful way.

Listen To My Podcast On Puppy Biting: What You'll Learn

In this free podcast, I cover 3 key topics on How to stop puppy biting and mouthing.

Before we get stuck when it comes to the question of “What should a puppy chew?”… then just click the button below to download my PDF of the 11 Favorite Puppy Chew Toys (that don't cost the earth!):

Download: my 11 favorite puppy chew toys

1. How Biting & Mouthing works in nature

Here we take a look at how it all works in nature and why we are making things hard for ourselves with some very old school training methods. If you have a young puppy then you may well discover that you have been told to set your puppy up to fail without even realising it.

2. Summary of the solution

The thing about stopping puppies biting and mouthing is that it's actually very simple when you know how. There is no need for screaming and shouting and certainly no need for tapping or smacking your puppy. In fact, these things will often only make things worse. A calm approach with a simple yet effective consequence, if they continue, is all you need.

3. Why things go wrong

Here I cover off some of the most common reasons why things go wrong and explain exactly what to do to turn it around, including the missing piece of the jigsaw… The one thing that every puppy owner needs to do to put an end, quickly and easily, to all that biting and mouthing.

Understanding Your Puppy's Behavior: What Really Works For Your Dog

As well as covering all the practical steps we need to take, we also take a more in-depth look at why we're really running into trouble. For example, we look at how a mother dog works patiently with her pups, putting up with so much hassle; however, when she draws a line in the sand and says that's enough, the pups will respect her and stop. So the question has to be asked, “Why do our puppies fight back so hard?” and the answer may surprise you!

I Answer Puppy Biting FAQs On My Podcast

At the end of the podcast I answer a selection of your questions and show you where you get a whole load more information on stopping this and many other issues if you want more help. Of course this puppy problem is completely covered off in my video training website, theonlinedogtrainer.com.

If you're struggling with puppy mouthing and biting or have an older puppy or dog and are in trouble then help is here, enjoy the podcast!

If you're looking for a more concrete solution that will help you sooner rather than later, I invite you to check out how I've trained over 88,000 with a kind, gentle approach.

Find out how I did it here!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my puppy biting so much?

Puppies explore the world with their mouths. Biting is often play, teething, or a way to get attention. It's rarely aggression. Understanding this helps you respond calmly and effectively. 

How do you discipline a puppy who is biting?

• Never use physical punishment. This can damage your relationship and lead to fear-based behaviors. 
• Redirect and reward. When your puppy bites, redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy. When they engage with the toy, praise and reward them. 
• Use “Ouch!” or a high-pitched yelp. This mimics how puppies communicate with each other. It often startles them and interrupts the biting. 
• Withdraw attention. If yelping doesn't work, calmly withdraw your attention. Turn away, stand up, or leave the room for a short period. This teaches them biting ends the fun. 

How do you train a puppy not to bite you?

• Teach bite inhibition. Allow gentle mouthing, but react strongly (“Ouch!”) to hard bites. This teaches them to control their bite strength. 
• Provide plenty of chew toys. This satisfies their natural urge to chew and gives them an alternative to your hands and feet. 
• Enforce calm behavior. Reward calm behavior with praise and gentle petting. This encourages them to associate gentleness with positive experiences. 
• Socialize your puppy. Interactions with other puppies and dogs teach them appropriate play and bite inhibition. 

At what age do puppies stop biting?

Most puppies grow out of the intense biting phase around 6-9 months old once they have their adult teeth. However, it's crucial to address biting early to establish good habits.

How do I get my puppy to stop biting ASAP?

Consistency is key. Consistently redirecting, withdrawing attention, and rewarding appropriate chewing will help your puppy learn faster.

Do puppies naturally stop biting?

To some extent, yes. As puppies mature and learn social cues, they naturally become less mouthy. However, training is essential to ensure they understand human boundaries and develop good bite inhibition.

Additional Tips:

• Manage the environment. Puppy-proof your home to minimize opportunities for biting inappropriate objects.
• Be patient and understanding. It takes time and consistency to teach a puppy not to bite. 
• Consider professional help. If you're struggling, a certified dog trainer or behaviorist can provide personalized guidance. 

Remember, gentle leadership is about guiding your puppy with clear communication and positive reinforcement. By understanding their needs and setting consistent boundaries, you can help them learn appropriate behavior and develop into a well-mannered dog.

~Doggy Dan 🙂