How to Stop a Puppy Biting: A Step-by-Step Guide to Nipping It in the Bud
- Advanced Animal Care
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Puppies explore the world with their mouths—it's as natural to them as wagging their tails. But those sharp little teeth can turn playtime into a painful ordeal for you and your family. The good news? Puppy biting (often called "mouthing" or "play biting") is a phase that can be managed and stopped with consistency, patience, and the right techniques. In this guide, we'll break down why puppies bite, when it's normal (and when it's not), and proven strategies to teach your furry friend better manners.
Why Do Puppies Bite?
Understanding the why is the first step to fixing the how. Puppies bite for several reasons:
Teething Pain: From 3–6 months, puppies lose baby teeth and grow adult ones. Chewing relieves sore gums.
Exploration: Everything is new! Mouths are like hands for dogs—they taste and feel to learn.
Play: In littermate roughhousing, biting is how puppies learn social boundaries.
Attention-Seeking: If biting gets a reaction (even negative), it reinforces the behaviour.
Overstimulation: Zoomies + excitement = accidental nips.
Red Flag: Aggressive growling, stiff body language, or biting with intent to harm (not playful) may signal fear, resource guarding, or poor socialization. Consult a vet or trainer if this happens.
Step-by-Step Training Plan to Stop Puppy Biting
1. Redirect, Don’t PunishWhy it works: Puppies don’t understand "no" like humans do. Punishment (yelling, smacking) can increase fear or aggression.
How to do it:
Keep chew toys everywhere—rope toys, Kongs, frozen carrots.
The moment teeth touch skin, say a calm “Ouch!” (high-pitched, like a yelping littermate), then immediately offer a toy.
Praise lavishly when they chew the toy: “Good chew!”
Teach Bite Inhibition
Puppies learn how hard is too hard from feedback.
Yelp & Pause Method:
During play, if teeth touch skin → Yelp “Ouch!” dramatically.
Stop all interaction for 10–20 seconds (turn away, cross arms).
Resume play. Repeat every time.
Over days, your puppy learns: “Soft mouth = play continues. Hard bite = play ends.”
Use Time-Outs Strategically
If yelping doesn’t work or biting escalates:
Calmly say “Too bad” and place puppy in a boring space (bathroom, crate) for 30–60 seconds.
No yelling or dragging—keep it neutral.
Release and redirect to a toy.
Provide Plenty of Appropriate Outlets
Exercise: A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy. 2–3 short walks + play sessions daily.
Mental Stimulation: Food puzzles, training sessions (sit, down, leave it), sniff games.
Teething Relief: Frozen Kongs stuffed with peanut butter, chilled chew toys.
Socialize Early & Often
Enroll in a positive-reinforcement puppy class.
Arrange playdates with vaccinated, gentle dogs—they’ll teach bite inhibition better than humans.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Rough play with hands
Teaches hands = toys
Use toys only for tugging/chasing
Inconsistency (some family members allow biting)
Confuses puppy
Everyone follows the same rules
Letting puppy “grow out of it”
Bad habits harden
Start training day one
Timeline: When Will It Stop?
8–12 weeks
Peak mouthing
Teach bite inhibition
3–6 months
Teething worst
Redirect + frozen toys
6–9 months
Should be rare
Reinforce “leave it” & impulse control
1 year+
Minimal (if trained)
Occasional reminders
Pro Tip: Most well-trained puppies stop painful biting by 6–7 months. Persistence pays off!
Bonus: The “Leave It” Command (Game-Changer)Hold a treat in closed fist.
Puppy paws/nips → say “Leave it.”
Wait for pause → mark with “Yes!” and give a better treat from other hand.
Gradually use with toys, shoes, hands.
Final Thoughts
Stopping puppy biting isn’t about dominance—it’s about clear communication, redirection, and meeting your puppy’s needs. Be patient (you’re teaching a baby alien how to live in your world!). With consistency, your shark-toothed terror will become a gentle, well-mannered companion.Need help? Film a biting session and consult a certified trainer . You’ve got this—and soon, so will your puppy.
For more on aggressive vs. playful biting, check Petplan's guide
see the Kennel Club for breed-specific tweaks.
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Follow Pro Tips from the Pros:
Get bite-sized (pun intended) advice from world-renowned trainer Victoria Stilwell on Instagram—her quick reels on mouthing and soft mouths are gold for busy UK pup parents. Tag her in your progress pics for a potential shoutout! https://www.instagram.com/victoriastilwell?igsh=eWR2cDk4cjA2ZW10
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