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A guide to stop puppy biting
Members only
This resource is a special perk for our members. To join us, first is to book one of our services. If you’re already a member, log in to enjoy full access.
Those needle-sharp teeth can be a real shock! This guide explains why your puppy bites and gives you a simple, kind, and effective plan to teach them gentle mouth habits for a calmer, happier home.
With practice this will help you achieve:
- Playing without getting nipped.
- Having guests over safely.
- Quality time together without constant biting.
What you'll need
- A variety of safe and appropriate chew toys
- A puppy pen, crate, or baby gates for management
- My free downloadable Puppy Biting Guide
Downloads
Puppy Biting GuideDownload
Step-by-step
- Understand ‘why’ they bite: First, know that this is normal puppy behaviour. It’s how they explore the world and learn. It’s not aggression. The goal is to teach them what is appropriate to put their mouth on.
- Evening madness: There may be certain times in the day they get really bitey – so be proactive and do some fun training before they start biting you – this will harness that energy.
- Redirect: When your puppy nips your hand or clothes, calmly redirect them onto an appropriate toy. Always have a toy handy for a quick swap. This teaches them “you can’t chew this, but you can chew this.”
- If redirecting doesn’t work: Calmly put them behind a gate or in a crate for a couple of minutes to calm down, then let them out again. If they do it again just repeat. If they keep biting, and all other needs are met, then they may need a nap.
- Manage the environment: Use puppy pens and gates to create a safe space. This prevents your puppy from practicing unwanted biting when you can’t actively supervise them. Management is the key to preventing bad habits.
- Enforce nap time: An overtired puppy is a bitey puppy! Just like a toddler, your puppy needs lots of sleep (18-20 hours a day). Enforcing regular naps in their crate or pen is often the fastest way to reduce biting.
- Download my in-depth Puppy Biting Guide for more detailed strategies and solutions.
Top tips for success
- If redirection doesn’t work, calmly remove yourself for 30 seconds to teach that biting makes the fun stop.
- Try not to shout at or punish your puppy for biting; this can create fear and anxiety. Patience is key here as they are still learning.
- Download my in-depth Puppy Biting Guide for more detailed strategies and solutions.
Members only
This resource is a special perk for our members. To join us, first is to book one of our services. If you’re already a member, log in to enjoy full access.
Are those needle-sharp teeth driving you crazy?
I know how relentless puppy biting can feel. If you're struggling to get results or want a personalised plan to create a calmer household, a Puppy Head Start session is the perfect way to get my one-to-one support.
