How To Get a Puppy To Stop Biting

“Bad dog!”, said almost every pup parent after a nasty bite episode. Undeniably, puppies really are a cute bunch and tempting to fondle, but those teeny-tiny, razor-sharp teeth on them can quickly turn playtime into a torture sesh. 

To be fair, what many puppy parents call "play biting" is every inch a normal part of a puppy’s growth. This is why you as a puppy owner must understand this behavior if you are to build a smooth relationship with your new furry companion. 

Puppies bite for a few reasons. They could be teething, exploring their world, playing, or a signal to you that they need to use the potty (poop!). During teething, which happens between three and six months old, their adult teeth are coming in, causing discomfort. This often leads them to chew on anything they can find—fingers, toes, you name it. 

Like human babies, puppies use their mouths to explore their surroundings. But that’s no excuse to nip at you or bite you. So, we’ve spelt out 7 proven ways to stop your puppy from biting. 

Why does my puppy bite (and when does it become abnormal?)

A lot of the bad training advice out there seems to focus on dealing with puppy biting and mouthiness, so we want to share some solid, professional tips to help you handle it the right way. 

You must first know that the mouth is how puppies tend to interact with the world around them. So you can expect that they become a bit bitey and mouthy in how they interact with people around them. For this reason, biting is a part of normal puppy development. 

But in some cases, when your pup is bitey, it can be a pointer to a larger issue, which may be down to one (or more) of the following: 

Puppy Exhaustion

Like the rest of us, puppies get tired. They tend to get cranky and fussy when they need rest, and they can’t yet recognize that they simply need a nap to feel better. On average, they need about 16-18 hours of sleep each day, and when they don’t get it, they become irritable and bitey. 

When this happens, create a quiet, peaceful space for them to rest undisturbed. Whether it's a crate or a gated room, the space should be free from distractions.

Puppy Overexcitement

Since they haven't yet learned how to regulate their emotions, they are prone to become over-excited, causing them to lose control. This may escalate to what many refer to as the "puppy zoomies." In these moments, the puppy’s energy levels are maxed out. 

To help calm them, you should model relaxed behavior. Slow down your movements and speak in a soft, calm tone. This can encourage the puppy to do the same. Over time, they learn to mirror this calmer state. 

Puppy Frustration

When puppies can’t have what they want, they often become frustrated and resort to using their teeth. This is similar to how toddlers might hit or kick when upset. Frustration in puppies often stems from situations like being restrained or having a toy taken away. 

By identifying the source of frustration and recreating that scenario in a less intense way, owners can reward desired behaviours, teaching the puppy a more constructive way to handle their emotions. 

You’re indulging (to bite)

Sometimes we, as owners unintentionally send signals to puppies that biting is acceptable. Sitting on the floor, for instance, often turns you into an enticing climbing object for the puppy. 

Your nose, ears, and even sweatshirt strings become fair game. High-pitched squeals or quick movements also provoke puppies to chase and nip, as they instinctively respond to these cues. Instead, by sitting in a position that allows for quick redirection and avoiding sudden movements or noises, you can reduce this type of behavior.

Puppy wants to Poop 

An oft-overlooked reason behind a puppy’s sudden outburst of biting and zooming around is that they need to poop. Many puppies will put on wild behavior right before they need to go outside. If you notice that this is happening, it’s probably time for a quick dash to the potty!

7 ways to stop your puppy from biting

We get it: your pup might well be the most cute and cuddly paw out there. But when they come at you, biting the hands that feed them, then you have to do something about it. As we earlier mentioned, biting is normal behaviour in puppies. However, you must protect yourself and your loved ones, especially as it gets more difficult to train them to stop later on. 

Here are some of the ways you can bring this bad habit to a halt: 

Teach Bite Inhibition

Learning how to control the strength of their bite is a skill called "bite inhibition." And you may not know this, but puppies learn this from their mother and littermates. If they bite too hard, another puppy will yelp or pull away, signalling to them that the bite was too powerful. As a pet owner, you can teach this, too.

When at home, you can mimic this by yelping (or screaming a high-pitched “ow!”) when they nip or bite you, but if that makes them more excited, it’s better to walk away calmly or give them a time-out in their crate. 

Set Boundaries

Let your pup know they’ve crossed the line when they do. Make it clear from the jump: biting is not cool. If your puppy bites while playing, stop right away and ignore them. Yelling or physically punishing your puppy can actually make things worse by giving them a reaction — even if it’s negative, they might find it rewarding.

Instead, try using body language like folding your arms or turning away. This sends a clear message that biting means no more fun or attention. Be as non-dramatic as possible. If you stay consistent with this, it will help them connect the dots.

Provide Alternatives

When your puppy nips at you, it’s mostly because they’ve not been taught to know that their teeth does not belong on a human body. The message you want to pass across here is that it's OK to bite toys, not people or furniture.

To help manage their biting, make sure your puppy has plenty of rubbery teething toys to chew on. When they start nibbling on your fingers or toes, quickly hand them a toy. This shows them what they can bite, while still satisfying their need to chew.

If they keep biting, even with the toy, end the play session right away. Doing this consistently will help reinforce the idea that biting stops all the fun.

Burning Off Energy

Sometimes, biting comes from too much built-up energy. Puppies are naturally full of energy and need both physical and mental stimulation. Without enough activity, they might start biting out of boredom or frustration.

Play games, take them for walks, or do training exercises to wear them out a little. Playing fetch or even doing agility training can help with this. When they’re tired, they’re less likely to bite or misbehave.

Socialize your puppy

Getting your puppy socialized is another big part of teaching them how to behave. Puppy training classes or socialization groups can be really helpful. They give your puppy a chance to interact with other dogs and people in a controlled way.

In these classes, puppies will learn a lot from playing with each other, like how to control their biting. It’s a great opportunity for them to practice boundaries.

Using Time-Outs

If they nip at you or bite you, stop the fun immediately. Yelling won't work and might even encourage more biting because it grabs their attention. 

Alternatively, you may gently place them in their crate for a few minutes to give them a chance to calm down. If they get too excited, calmly place them in a quiet space like a crate or another room to help them settle down. Simply putting them in isolation (as a last resort) communicates your displeasure. 

As puppies are eager to please and can read human emotions, they are likely to want to comply with your unspoken communication.

Remember, it's not about putting him in time-out—it’s about you stepping away. It’ll start to connect the dots that biting makes you leave. Since it's probably biting to get attention or playtime, the best way to handle it is by taking those things away. So, try using a baby gate or find a room you can quickly step into when he bites. 

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement means rewarding good behaviour, like gentle play or sitting calmly, with praise and affection, every time they change their behaviour. Very quickly, they’ll learn that good actions get your attention and affection.

When you reward them for being calm through consistent rewards and affirming actions, you're teaching them what’s OK in your books and what’s not. 

But the opposite is not necessarily true. While positively reinforcing their behaviour through physical rewards can get you results, you shouldn’t punish them physically. Refrain from hitting them or punishing them physically if they fail to get in line. If your puppy bites out of pure aggression, you may require a visit to the vet or dog trainer. This way, you can find a solution to manage such behaviour. 

Enroll in Puppy Classes

Consider enrolling your puppy in classes designed for socialization and training. These classes provide structured environments where puppies can learn appropriate behaviours while interacting with other dogs and people under professional supervision.

Socialization is vital for puppies as it helps them develop good manners around others and reduces anxiety-related behaviors like excessive biting.

Wrap Up 

Training a puppy to stop biting takes time and patience. But by setting clear rules and providing alternatives for them to chew on, you can guide them towards better habits. Socialization and regular exercise help too, making it easier for them to learn how to interact appropriately. 

And with positive reinforcement, you’re building a bond based on trust and respect. If needed, a professional can offer guidance to shape your manic play-biter into a well-behaved, polite, and loyal companion.