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Sharp little teeth on your hands, ankles and clothes are one of the most common puppy complaints. The good news is that mouthing is normal puppy behaviour, and with patience most puppies learn to be gentle. This guide explains why puppies bite and how to teach them better habits.
Why do puppies bite?
- Exploring: puppies learn about the world with their mouths.
- Teething: chewing can ease sore gums.
- Play: puppies play with each other using their mouths and learn from each other’s reactions.
- Tiredness or over-excitement: an overtired puppy often gets bitey.
What to do
1. Redirect to something allowed
Keep chew toys close by. When your puppy mouths your hand, calmly offer a toy instead, and praise your puppy for chewing it.
2. Pause the fun when teeth touch skin
Stop playing and move away calmly for a short time. Your puppy learns that biting makes the fun stop. Restart when your puppy is calm. Avoid shouting, hitting or holding the mouth shut, which can frighten a puppy or make play more frantic.
3. Reward gentle behaviour
Praise or give a treat when your puppy licks or takes things softly. Calm moments are easy to miss, so make a point of rewarding them.
4. Make sure your puppy gets enough rest
Young puppies need a lot of sleep. If the biting gets worse in the evening, an overtired puppy may simply need a nap in a quiet place.
5. Be consistent and involve everyone
Everyone in the household should use the same approach, including children, who should be supervised with puppies at all times.
When to get help
Most puppies grow out of heavy mouthing as they mature, but if biting is hard, frightening or seems aggressive rather than playful, speak to your vet or a qualified trainer or behaviourist early.
Want more structure?
Some owners prefer a step-by-step course. Brain Training for Dogs is one online program that includes puppy training, based on positive reinforcement (affiliate link). We have not tested it, so check the current price and refund policy first.
This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or a qualified trainer.
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