Puppy Biting: How To Stop It
By Rhiannon at Raintown Dog Training
You’re giving your adorable new puppy some belly rubs, ready to wind down and watch some evening TV. Suddenly… ouch! He sinks his teeth into your hand, wagging his little tail. Where did that come from?
Nipping and mouthing are natural behaviours (especially for teething pups!) that anyone who has raised a dog will sympathize with. Though it generally will decrease as the dog matures, there are a few ways to speed up that process!
Tip 1:
Redirection & Sleep
It is normal for puppies to explore the world with their mouths. Our job as pet parents is to teach them what is acceptable to chew on. Have plenty of high-value chews handy, such as bully sticks or yak chews, and redirect your pup’s mouth to those when they become nippy. Remember that chewing is a natural behaviour, and puppies specifically need plenty of outlets to help ease those teething pains!
If your puppy is repeatedly nipping you/uninterested in the redirection, you may be dealing with an over-tired dog. Much of nipping comes from puppies who are not getting enough sleep (18-20 hours per day for under 5 months of age!). Try increasing their naps if your puppy is not reaching this daily goal, and you should see the nipping decrease.
Tip 2: Time-Outs
While many puppies can learn to keep their teeth to themselves through simple redirection and patience, some may need extra help learning what not to bite. If the redirection isn’t working, you can implement a time-out system to clearly teach your dog that nipping humans is not acceptable. This method simply removes the reward (aka. you!) when the puppy nips. Time-outs take a lot of consistency on your part, but are pretty fail-safe if followed through with each and every time the puppy nips. Use the sequence below:
Each time your puppy nips, say “Watch It!” - this is their warning
If they nip you again within about a minute of the warning, say “Too Bad” or “Oops”, then either leave the room yourself or place them in a crate/pen for about a minute
Thought of the month
Puppy Socialization Improves Bite Inhibition
Did you know that play with other puppies is actually the one proven way that puppies can learn bite inhibition (biting with less force), and it can last into their adulthood? This is one of many reasons that getting your little one socializing early is essential - not only to reduce the nipping during these early months but to decrease the risk of injurious bites later in life.
Looking for help with training and socialization for your new puppy? Check out our options for puppy training below!