Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

When do puppies stop biting? That might be up to their owner

Those sharp little teeth hurt! What to know about your biting puppy

Vera Lawlor
By

If you’ve ever watched puppies play together, then you know that biting and nipping are all part of the fun. Chewing and biting help growing puppies investigate the world around them and also help relieve sore gums when teething. However, while mouthing on your hand might have been funny when your little one was a ball of fluff, it’s no joking matter as he gets older. Those razor-sharp puppy teeth can really hurt. If you’re tired of living with broken skin and painful bruises, you’re probably wondering just when do puppies stop biting?

Puppy biting on finger
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Do puppies grow out of biting and nipping?

While chewing everything in sight may decrease after your puppy is done teething (which can take anywhere from four to six months) they don’t naturally grow out of biting. The more a puppy is allowed to clamp down on your skin, the more he’ll continue to do it. As a responsible pet parent, it’s your job to teach your dog appropriate behavior.

Puppy biting arm
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to train a puppy to stop biting and nipping

While biting is a normal part of being a puppy, the sooner you train your puppy, the easier it will be to teach him not to bite you. These tips can help you get started.

Recommended Videos

Teach bite inhibition first

While the ultimate goal is to stop a puppy from biting or nipping humans when playing, an important first step is to teach bite inhibition, say training experts at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Your puppy is going to mouth, and that’s natural. But you want him to learn to be gentle. Puppies need to learn to control the strength of their jaws so that as adults, if they ever bite out of fear or pain, they will have learned not to bite hard.

A puppy first learns to be gentle from his mom and littermates. For instance, if a puppy bites too hard when playing, his sibling will yelp in protest or his Mom will intervene to stop the roughhousing. Puppies have to learn these lessons all over again when interacting with their human pack.

The ASPCA recommends drawing on the techniques used between littermates when teaching your dog to be gentle. So, if your puppy bites too hard on your skin, use a high-pitched “ouch” to interrupt the behavior. As soon as your puppy stops biting, give him praise and a treat. Some dogs may get more excited when you yelp. In this case, when your dog bites down too hard, just get up and walk away.

Use redirection to stop biting

Your ultimate goal is to train your puppy that teeth don’t belong on human skin, and redirection is a great way to do this. When your growing puppy starts to mouth or bite down on your hand, immediately redirect him to a tug toy or favorite chew bone. According to ASPCA experts, the goal is that your dog will “start to anticipate and look for a toy when he feels like mouthing or biting you.”

Some breeds such as border collies and Shetland sheepdogs have strong herding instincts and may nip at ankles to “herd” human family members as they move around the house. If you live with an ankle nipper, keep his favorite toy in your pocket. When your dog attacks your ankles, stop walking and wave the toy in his direction. Once your pup grabs the toy, praise him and move on. Keep repeating this exercise until you can walk around the house without being attacked by puppy teeth.

Teach puppies that when biting starts, playtime ends

Puppy time-outs are a great way to teach your four-legged youngster that when he bites or nips, the game is over. Since puppies live to play, they catch on pretty quickly. Time-out can mean that you quietly leave the room (be sure it’s puppy-proof when leaving your dog alone), or you can gently pick up the puppy and put him in his enclosure or a small gated room. Leave him alone for 30 to 60 seconds and then calmly resume playing.  Keep repeating this exercise until the puppy gets the message.

Woman playing with pup.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Toys provide something acceptable to chew on

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), during a puppy’s period of rapid development, which is from 2 to 10 months old, it’s important to give him appropriate toys. These toys can help with the discomfort of teething. They also help with training and provide mental stimulation. Be sure to choose a toy or bone best suited to your dog’s size and personality. The AKC offers a great roundup of the best toys for puppies.

With consistent positive-motivation training, most puppies will learn to play without biting and nipping humans. If, despite your best efforts, your dog still bites and you’re concerned that he’s getting aggressive, then it’s time to call in a behaviorist to design a training program for your dog. The sooner you work on the problem, the happier you and your dog will be as he transitions into adulthood.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Vera Lawlor
Vera Lawlor
Contributor
Vera was the pet columnist for 201 Family magazine and has contributed pet and animal welfare articles to Bone-A-Fide Mutts…
Is your dog’s breathing problems old age or something else? What to know
Signs to watch out for if your senior dog has respiratory issues
A gray-faced, old cocker spaniel smiles at the camera

It's hard to watch the beloved family dog get older. Often, advanced age is accompanied by new medical conditions, and it’s difficult for the untrained observer to determine what is a serious problem and what is simply a part of aging. You might notice an increase in dog breathing problems in old age, which can be especially tricky.

Is your senior pup just panting from the heat, or is something more sinister happening? Keep reading to learn more about the types of abnormal breathing to watch for, the causes of dogs' breathing problems in old age, and some tips for easing your pup’s troubles.

Read more
How to make a dog poop quickly when dealing with constipation – at-home remedies
Safe and effective ways to help a dog beat constipation
A person in a black T-shirt and jeans walks a small white and brown dog on a path lined with tall plants with yellow flowers

Ah, the glamours of pet parenthood. Poop bags and potty training -- it all becomes a normal part of life, but what happens when your fur baby is battling a bout of constipation? More often than not, it resolves itself after a few days, but if it persists, you may want to step in to help your four-legged friend get things moving again.
It may be TMI, but it's sometimes necessary. There are plenty of foods that will have the desired effect, or you can opt for a gentle supplement, medication, or even lifestyle changes.
Here’s how to make a dog poop quickly — you know, under desperate circumstances. Good luck, and don’t forget the air freshener.

These are the ways to make a dog poop quickly — safely and from home
While some remedies are safe to try from home, others should be done only by a veterinary professional — don’t worry, we’ll specify which is which.

Read more
Could it be a dog paw infection? Signs, symptoms, and treatments for these pesky, painful issues
Dog paw infection 101: How to avoid and treat this problem
Dog paws on a wood slab

It's hard not to relish daily walks with your dog. You both get fresh air and much-needed exercise, and seeing your dog explore and discover the world is oh-so-fun. Afterward, you and your pup might even engage in a cozy snuggle session on the couch. What could be better?
Dogs also walk in small amounts at home, whether during a play session or a trip to the backyard, and paw health is essential to keep them comfortable and walking. If one or more of your dog’s paws gets injured or infected, mobility can be tricky, painful, and sometimes impossible. As a pet parent, the last thing you want is to see your fur baby in pain. Injuries might be inevitable, but understanding the causes, signs, and treatment for a dog paw infection can ensure your pet gets the proper care as soon as possible. After all, early detection and treatment can prevent the condition from getting worse.
Here’s what you need to know.

What causes a dog paw infection? You can help your pup avoid paw discomfort if you know what to look for
As much as we'd like to give you an easy answer, several factors can contribute to a paw infection. Here are a few common ones.

Read more