How to Stop Puppy Biting

Why Do Puppies Bite?
Biting and mouthing are completely normal puppy behaviors. Young dogs explore the world with their mouths, just like human babies. They chew, nip, and grab as part of play and learning. The trouble begins when playful nipping turns into painful bites that your hands, ankles, or clothes suffer from. Puppies don’t bite out of malice—it’s how they explore and learn boundaries. Want to learn how to stop puppy biting?

How to Stop Puppy Biting (and What to Do Instead)

• Redirect With Toys
  Keep chew toys within reach. When your pup goes for your hands, calmly replace them with a toy. This teaches what’s okay to chew on.
• Use the “Ouch” Response
  When bitten, let out a sharp but calm “ouch” or a high-pitched yelp. Immediately withdraw your hand and stop interaction for 5–10 seconds. This mimics how littermates yelp and stop playing when bites are too hard.
• Structured Play Set up short, frequent play sessions. Puppies get overstimulated when play drags on too long, which leads to harder biting. Break sessions into chunks with calm breaks in between.
• Reward Calm Gentle Behavior
  Don’t just focus on stopping biting. Notice and reward calm behavior, such as when your puppy sits quietly or licks instead of nips. Positive reinforcement speeds up learning.
• Provide Plenty of Exercise and Mental Stimulation
  A tired puppy is less likely to bite out of boredom or pent-up energy. Short training sessions, puzzle toys, and age-appropriate exercise go a long way.
• Stop Play, Don’t Punish Don’t yank your hand away quickly—that triggers chase instincts. Instead, gently disengage and stand up or turn away. Pausing play teaches that biting too hard ends the fun.
• Socialization with Polite Dogs Safe, supervised play with older, well-mannered dogs can teach puppies natural bite inhibition. Adult dogs often give a firm correction (like a growl or walking away) that communicates limits clearly.

What to Do Instead:

Gradually Lower Tolerance At first, only stop play for the hardest bites. Once your puppy is more controlled, start interrupting for medium bites. Eventually, reward only soft mouthing or calm play with no teeth at all! Provide Structure and Outlets: Puppies bite more when tired, overstimulated, or under-exercised. Short training sessions, naps, and mental enrichment (puzzle toys, food games) prevent frustration biting. Short Time-Outs: If your puppy ignores redirection and keeps biting – Calmly place them in a safe, puppy-proof area (like a playpen or crate) for 30–60 seconds. Keep it short and consistent so they learn biting ends fun, not connection. Teach/introduce “Leave It” and “Drop It” commands: Using high praise snacks or treats teaching the leave it command can transfer into the rough playtimes when it comes to biting.

What Not to Do:
Never hit, yell, use harsh corrections, or hold their muzzle shut. This builds fear and can increase aggression later. Don’t let rough play escalate without rules; always give clear stop-signals. Avoid tugging your hand away quickly—it triggers chase instincts and leads to harder biting

If biting seems aggressive, persists past teething age, or feels unmanageable, it’s worth contacting a certified trainer. Early help sets your dog up for a lifetime of calm, confident behavior. At Behavior Boss, I specialize in turning chaotic puppy energy into calm, confident companionship. If you’re struggling with puppy biting, schedule a session and let’s get your pup on the right track from day one.

Exercise and Puppy Biting: How Much Activity Does Your Dog Really Need?

One of the most overlooked causes of puppy biting is excess energy. A tired dog is a calm dog, and many biting issues improve once exercise and mental stimulation are balanced with training. If a puppy doesn’t get enough outlets for energy, they’ll make their own fun—often by biting your hands, clothes, or furniture. Exercise paired with structured training helps prevent overstimulation, reduces frustration, and creates a calmer dog that can focus on learning polite behavior. Check out my blog on Dogs Need Exercise Daily to find out exactly how much exercise is best for your dog!