If it feels like your puppy biting hard is more like a genetic alligator trait than normal puppy behavior, let's talk about it!
As a dog trainer, how to stop puppy biting is one of the most common questions I get about puppy training. Sometimes, owners will show me bruises and cuts from their puppy's zoomie fit or just a plain temper tantrum.
In this article I'll share 11 of the most effective tips for dealing with your puppy's crocodile teeth at any age.
Puppy Biting Hard
A warning before getting started with training your puppy not to bite.
Ever hear the phrase, it gets worse before it gets better?
When you start to change your behavior, your puppy may test you to make sure you are serious. Being persistent and consistent in your method will help change your puppy's attitude about how they're allowed to treat you.
We call this a behavior extinction burst. And, here's a great graph to show the pattern you'll likely experience.
As an example, consider this. Think about going to a friends house and you see their car in the driveway. You see them in their house through the window but they don't acknowledge you. So, you ring the doorbell, but there's no answer. You wouldn't just walk away. You might try knocking, calling, banging on the door and trying other doors before you you gave up.
In other words, you get way more annoying before you give up. This is what your dog does.
My puppy won't stop biting me I've tried everything
First of all, a little tough love here. You probably haven't. Or, you may have tried everything except being consistent and patient with your chosen method.
The more consistent you are, the sooner your puppy will stop mouthing and biting.
Why is my puppy biting me aggressively and growling
Rarely is a puppy aggressively biting and growling out of aggression. Most commonly, your puppy is biting out of being overly tired, overly stimulated, or out of emotion, like fear.
With some older puppies (4-9 months of age) growling and biting could be a result of a learned behavior. Biting or growling could be how the puppy has learned to communicate they need more space.
When this is the case, it's best to engage with a professional trainer who has had success with working through this kind of behavior to teach your dog new, safe, and healthy coping skills.
1. Use Your Crate
One of the clear signs of an over tired puppy is if it feels like correcting your puppy is only making things worse. Then it's time to put your puppy in the crate and let them settle down.
It might take a couple minutes for them to settle in, but it's so important for your puppy to learn how to calm themselves down without treats, snuggles or comfort from you.
2. Redirect
This one may seem obvious. Your puppy might be biting because they want to play! So, redirect their energy to a toy!
If this is too difficult for them, consider any of the other techniques here- like using a leash, a crate, or play a different game like fetch where your hands don't have to be involved as closely.
6 month old puppy biting hard
3. Enroll your puppy in day care, or get them around other dogs who will correct them effectively
When a puppy is biting hard, they likely need to learn what we call "bite inhibition" which is a puppy's ability to regulate and understand how hard they can bite when they play.
When you put your puppy around other dogs, he will naturally want to be social and therefore, other dogs will help regulate him with how hard he plays.
Getting your puppy around other dogs their age is the most ideal. However, if not, finding a play group or friends with dogs who have dogs who will correct him appropriately.
Puppy Won't Stop Biting Other Dog
4. Translate the message
If it feels like your puppy is not getting the hint that the other dog doesn't want to play, it is your job to translate that message.
Use your space, leash, or any of the other tips in this article to help your puppy understand that the other dog doesn't want to engage with them and they need to find another activity.
It's the same as kids on the playground. One child can offer to play with a peer, but that offer can be decline politely. If the first kid who offered play continues to ask and pester after the other kid has politely declined, it can quickly turn into bullying behavior resulting in frustration, avoidance and even lashing out from the kid who was just trying to be polite.
Definitely consider enrolling your puppy in a puppy day care or play groups so they can learn better social skills.
5. Give them a chew
Chewing and mouthing is a natural part of a dog's development and should be part of their daily activity.
Grab your puppy a chew and let that entertain them!
Related: Puppy Chews on Everything | 18 Best Chews for Puppies
How to stop a puppy from biting your feet and hands
6. Use your leash
A leash is a translator when your words and space are not working. Plus, it saves you from having to reach close to your dog's face to grab their collar, which often encourages more mouthing.
Use the leash to help settle your dog and guide them to the next activity. It might take them some time to settle in.
Related: How to Stop Leash Biting
7. Stop putting your hands close to your dog's face
This also might seem obvious, but it's not always our first thought. If you don't allow your dog the opportunity to bite at your hands, they won't do it.
If you're constantly in your dog's face about something, praising them, petting them etc, you're showing them that this is okay interaction for you.
Furthermore, at some point, they may not want to be loved on and their mouthing could actually be them trying to tell you to stop.
This could then turn into a learned habit of a dog just automatically mouthing because they are so used to trying to block you.
8. Stop rough housing with your puppy.
Increase the boundaries you have with your dog. Instead of acting like a roommate, start acting like a leader and engage in more play where you set the rules.
Include obedience, a toy, a walk or a run as a daily part of your puppy's life.
This way you and your puppy can bond in collaborative ways rather than in a way that encourages equal status.
Puppy biting hard enough to draw blood
9. Consider an ecollar
If I have an owner who comes to me with cuts and bruises, torn clothes or other significant evidence of a dog who is unable to demonstrate bite inhibition, I may consider an ecollar.
This is definitely a tool you want to consider working with someone who has experience with the ecollar.
With these puppies, we are often underutilizing the crate and often have a puppy who's been through some trauma and is sleep deprived.
If a puppy is biting hard, in my practice an ecollar is not to be used unless addressing the puppy's behavior as a whole, and I will not put an ecollar on a dog under 6 months of age.
Related: Simplest Beginner’s Guide for Using an E Collar for Dog Training
My puppy won't stop biting me and my clothes
10. Be proactive in engaging with your dog and deciding the activity
If your puppy is biting, it could also be that they just have energy and are looking for somewhere to put it! Give your dog something to do.
If your dog is out of the crate, it's your job to decide what they'll be doing and help them be successful at it. Otherwise, they'll decide what they want to do, and they'll likely decide on something you don't want them to do. Like biting your pant leg.
11. Play the Yes Game
The Focus Game : Training Exercise to Decrease Your Dog's Distractability
12. Enroll in some training
If you're still stuck, it's probably a good idea to consult a trainer for help with your specific situation.
Don't have a dog trainer? Schedule a consult now to discuss a custom plan for you and your dog!
