Biting is a frustrating behavior for new puppy owners, but the behavior is very natural. Puppies aren’t trying to be mean or destructive when biting people or things, they’re just exploring the world. That said, it’s important that puppies learn to keep their mouths to themselves from an early age to avoid behavioral problems in the future: a biting or biting puppy is more socially acceptable than an adult dog who bites people. Teaching a puppy not to bite requires a patient and gentle approach.
Why do puppies bite?
Puppies bite people and objects for a variety of reasons, including exploring the world through their mouths. Therefore, biting and chewing are part of normal puppy development. Common reasons your puppy might bite you or things around your house include:
- Dentition – As they grow and develop, puppies lose their baby teeth and grow adult teeth. This process often actively occurs just as puppies return home to their forever families. Just like how irritable human babies can be when they are teething or putting everything in their mouths while trying to massage their gums, the same can be said for teething puppies. Many puppies chew or bite on objects to relieve teething discomfort.
- De-stressing — Why do puppies have to be stressed? They eat, sleep and play. But there are plenty of reasons to be stressed – their world is confusing and changing. Puppies adapt to all kinds of new situations, people, places and experiences. Mouth and chewing help puppies reduce some of that stress.
- Boredom — When puppies and dogs are bored, they look for things to chew on. Chewing is fun and a way to be entertained. It’s something to encourage (along with dog-safe chews) because it’s good for our puppies.
- Play —Young puppies often haven’t mastered a skill called bite inhibition, or awareness of using their mouths while playing. Young puppies usually learn from their littermates to modulate the amount and force with which they can bite while playing. When you bring home a young puppy, he may still be developing and refining these skills.
How to teach a puppy not to bite:
Step 1: Make sure the puppy has plenty of outlets for safe and proper chewing, including puppy-safe chew toys and toys specifically designed for chewing. We don’t want to prevent our puppies from chewing, we just want them to chew on safe and proper things.
2nd step: Supervision is very important for puppies. Set them up for success by not giving them access to things you don’t want them to chew on. Sometimes referred to as “pup protection,” you need to prevent your puppy from getting access to things they can bite or chew on that could be harmful or damaged.
Step 3: If your puppy bites you when you’re playing or engaging with him, don’t yell or punish him. Instead, when your pup bites, make a high-pitched crying sound, then redirect your pup with a safe, appropriate toy to bite or chew on. By emitting a high-pitched cry, you are telling your puppy that the bite hurts. By doing this, the same puppies receive the same feedback from their littermates on how to bite more gently or less while playing.
Step 4: Be consistent when playing with and training your puppy. Puppy bite training should be something everyone in the family is okay with by gently redirecting your pup to safe chew toys.
How to Stop Puppy Biting: A Recap
The best way to prevent a puppy from biting is to prevent inappropriate biting as much as possible by providing your puppy with plenty of appropriate things to chew on. When your pup bites things he shouldn’t, redirect him to appropriate toys for pulling and chewing. If your puppy bites you, he’s not trying to be mean. Don’t yell at your puppy or scold him. Instead, make a crying noise mimicking what her littermates would do. Then redirect your puppy to play with, mouth and bite an appropriate toy or chew.
