Puppy biting: What’s normal, What’s not and How to stop it

Puppy biting is a normal behaviour, but it can be frustrating and even painful for their owners. Anyone who’s had a puppy hanging off their ankles by their teeth will agree. I think puppy teeth are literally the sharpest thing on earth.

If you're dealing with a biting puppy, you're not alone. I have only come across a handful of puppies who didn’t bite and that’s in the past decade I’ve been training dogs as my full time job. Puppies will bite. It will hurt if it’s on you, on the kids or someone else.

But, here’s the major thing to remember…

It…

will…

pass.

I promise.

But I know that won’t help if you’re reading this whilst your arm is being chewed, so here’s some information as to why puppies bite and what you can do to stop it.

Why Do Puppies Bite?

There are a few reasons why puppies bite so let’s have a look at them:

One reason is that they're exploring the world with their mouths. Puppies use their mouths to learn about their surroundings, just like human babies do. That’s why everything is approached with a bite or a lick, they investigate the world with their mouths so it’s their first and natural response to most things.
They also use their mouths to play with other puppies. This play can sometimes turn a touch rough, but you’ll see their mouths are a major part of that play.
Because they're teething and it hurts! When puppies are teething, their gums are sore and they may bite as a way to relieve the pain. Biting stuff means it hurts a bit less. We can’t blame them for that.
Puppies may also bite out of fear or frustration. If a puppy is feeling overwhelmed or scared, they may bite as a way to defend themselves. Anyone who’s had an overtired puppy will know this one, especially common in the evenings.

How do we know what’s normal Puppy Biting?

Ok, so we’ve had some ideas as to why our puppies are biting, but how do we know what’s normal? Reality is, some puppy biting is normal. Puppies are naturally curious and playful, and they use their mouths to explore their environment. However, there are some signs that puppy biting is not normal, or really it’s not just standard puppy biting but something else. If your puppy is biting hard enough to hurt you and nothing seems to calm them, or they just relentless bite you all of the time, this could be a sign your puppy may have something else going on. Or if you think they’re biting out of fear or aggression, it’s something to ask a professional about. If you’re worried about your puppy, reach out to me here, I’m happy to help.

FREE GUIDE: 3 easy steps to stopping your puppy biting the lead on your walk.

How to Stop Puppy Biting

There are a few things you can do to stop your puppy biting you (or help them learn the right things to bite).

First, it's important to provide your puppy with plenty of chew toys. This will help them to satisfy their chewing needs and reduce the amount of biting they do. Remember to have different textures, soft and harder and keep a mixture to hand.
You should also supervise your puppy's play time. If you see your puppy biting, calmly remove them from the situation and redirect their attention to a chew toy. Especially if someone else is playing with them or children are.
It's also important to teach your puppy bite inhibition. This just means teaching them to use their mouths gently, do this by not engaging with them when they’re chewing you or get your skin. Avoid rough play and don’t let your puppy chew your fingers for fun, remember they won’t understand they can’t do it to everyone.

What Not to Do

There are a few things you should not do when your puppy is biting, give them a try:

Do not hit, yell at, or punish your puppy. This will only make them afraid of you and more likely to bite so that you stay away.
Avoid squealing. I’m sure you’re read elsewhere that it helps, but in my experience it just makes you more exciting. You turn in to a lovely human squeak toy!
Choose your times wisely for things such as grooming, cuddles or close contact. Don’t do this when your puppy is running around having their zoomies time. They’ll choose the wrong behaviour and will nibble you because they’re excited or worked up.

Fancy knowing how to train your dog FASTER & BETTER?

With accuracy and without confusion.

Grab my easy 5 minute guide HERE