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Teaching bite inhibition is central to stopping biting.
Interrupt hard bites with a short yelp or pause in play.
Redirect biting to suitable toys and never use hands as chew targets.
Reward calm, gentle behaviour consistently.
Seek professional help if biting persists or is fear-based.
Puppy biting is one of the first behaviour challenges most new dog owners face. Those sharp little teeth and playful nips often feel painful, but the good news is puppy biting is normal. It’s part of how young dogs explore their world, play with littermates and learn about bite force, a process behaviourists call bite inhibition.
However, if puppies aren’t shown how to interact gently with humans, mouthing can become a lifelong problem. The key is teaching your puppy what’s appropriate to chew and how to use their mouth gently, using calm, consistent and reward-based methods. This guide explains why puppies bite, how to effectively discourage it, and when to seek professional help if biting becomes a concern.
In a litter, puppies quickly learn that biting too hard ends play. If one pup bites another too roughly, the other often yelps and stops playing, teaching bite inhibition through social feedback. When puppies move to a human home, they haven’t yet learned that hands and clothes are more sensitive than furry siblings. Without guidance, they may continue to use their mouths in play.
Puppy biting may also be triggered by:
Excitement during play
Overtiredness and overstimulation
Frustration or wanting attention
Lack of appropriate outlets for chewing and play
Understanding these motivations helps you choose the right training strategy rather than reacting out of surprise or frustration.
When Puppy Biting Is Normal (and When It’s Not)
Mouthing and light nipping are normal in most puppies. These behaviours are common in puppies under six months old and are part of their physical and social development.
However, there are times when the biting behaviour may need extra attention:
If nips break the skin repeatedly
If bites occur out of fear or guarding behaviour
If biting increases in intensity rather than reducing with training
If your puppy stiffens, growls or shows other signs of anxiety
In such cases, additional behaviour support from a qualified trainer or vet behaviourist may be needed.
Teaching Bite Inhibition: The Foundation of Good Manners
A core part of stopping puppy biting is teaching bite inhibition, or in other words, helping your puppy learn not to apply full force with their mouth.
1. React Like a Littermate
When your puppy bites you too hard during play, let out a brief, high-pitched sound like “Ouch!”, similar to how another puppy might respond. This interrupts the behaviour and signals that the bite was too forceful.
If your puppy responds by stopping, praise them or offer a treat. This teaches them that gentle mouthing keeps play going, while hard biting ends the interaction.
2. Interrupt and Withdraw
If the high-pitched sound actually excites your puppy or they continue biting, calmly stop the interaction and walk away for a moment. Removing your attention sends a clear signal that biting ends fun. This is much more effective than scolding or punishment, which can inadvertently reinforce the behaviour or damage trust.
Over time, your puppy learns that gentle play gets attention and rewards, while nipping stops the game.
Puppies need something safe to chew, as it’s a natural instinct. Keep a selection of age-appropriate chew toys on hand, and if your puppy starts biting your hands, calmly offer a toy instead.
Good chew toy habits do two things:
Provide an outlet for chewing that isn’t you
Teach your puppy that toys are for teeth, not skin or clothing
Rotate toys regularly to keep them interesting and engaging.
4. Avoid Encouraging Hands as Play Targets
It’s common to play with puppies with your hands, especially during roughhousing, but this sends mixed signals. When hands are used as play objects, puppies may think nibbling them is acceptable.
Games of tug, fetch or chase should always be done with toys. Keep your hands out of the chewing zone. If your puppy bites your hand during play, stop the game and redirect them to a toy.
Teaching your puppy that hands are good for gentle strokes and calm interaction helps them build positive associations that don’t involve teeth.
5. Manage Overstimulation and Fatigue
Puppies have bursts of energy followed quickly by tiredness. An overtired puppy is more likely to mouth and nip simply because they are overstimulated and unable to regulate their behaviour.
Make sure your puppy has:
Short, structured play sessions
Regular rest periods between activities
A calm space to relax when excited
This balanced schedule helps prevent biting driven by overtiredness or too much excitement.
6. Use Time-Outs When Needed
If your puppy continues to bite despite redirection and interruption, a short time-out can help reinforce that biting stops interaction. Time-outs are not punishments; they are simply pauses that give your puppy time to calm down and reflect that biting means no play.
This could be stepping out of sight for 20–30 seconds or placing the puppy gently in a safe, enclosed space. Once calm, resume normal interaction.
7. Reward Calm, Gentle Behaviour
Positive reinforcement - rewarding the behaviour you want to see - is hugely powerful. When your puppy plays gently without using teeth, praise them, give treats, or engage in a favourite calm game.
Rewarding calm behaviour helps your puppy link non-biting interactions with positive outcomes. Over time, this encourages more of the behaviour you want.
8. Teach Useful Cues Like “No” and “Leave It”
Adding simple commands can give your puppy cognitive structure. Use a firm but calm “No” when they begin to nip. Teach “Leave it” to divert their attention away from mouthing hands or clothes.
When your puppy obeys a cue, reward them with praise or a treat, reinforcing that listening benefits them.
Expect Progress, Not Perfection
Most puppies gradually bite less as they grow and learn better social boundaries, especially between 4 and 6 months old, when bite inhibition becomes more consistent.
With consistent, calm and positive training:
Many puppies' mouthing decreases significantly
Bite pressure softens over time
Puppies learn acceptable play habits
Patience and consistency are your biggest assets in shaping great behaviour.
Teaching a puppy not to bite works best when they’re mentally and physically supported. Enrichment activities, socialisation with calm dogs, and regular gentle handling help puppies build confidence and self-control.
When to Seek Professional Help
If biting persists or escalates, especially if it’s fear-linked (growling, defensive biting) or causes injury, consult a professional.
Seek help from a qualified dog trainer with positive reinforcement experience, or a vet behaviourist if biting seems rooted in anxiety, fear, or aggression. Early guidance avoids bigger problems later.
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for personalised guidance regarding your pet's health. We are not responsible for any decisions or actions taken based on the information provided in this blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my puppy bite my hands?
Puppies explore with their mouths and often associate mouthing with play or teething. Teaching them bite inhibition and redirecting to toys helps them learn gentle play.
When will my puppy stop biting?
Biting usually decreases with age and consistent training. Many puppies naturally improve by about 4-6 months.
How do I teach my puppy not to bite?
Use gentle interruption (yelp or pause), redirect to toys, reward calm behaviour and use consistent cues like “No” or “Leave it”.
Should I punish my puppy for biting?
No. Punishment can confuse or frighten your puppy and may reinforce unwanted behaviour. Positive redirection and reward-based training are more effective.
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