Puppy biting can be quite worrying for a new owner, leading them to wonder if they've bought an agressive puppy.
Play biting and mouthing are perfectly normal behaviours for young puppies, especially when they're teething.
It's a natural part of a puppy's development, and teaches the puppy that biting hurts - better for them to learn early before their jaws have developed the strength to do some real damage.
Teaching Your Puppy Bite Inhibition
Puppies learn to control their biting during play with their mother and siblings. This is known as bite inhibition; the ability to control how hard (or gently) the puppy bites.
If, during play, the puppy bites its mother too hard, she will yelp loudly, and she may also bite back. This will usually have the effect of stopping the puppy in its tracks, unsure of what to do next.
If the puppy bites again, the mother may yelp louder this time, but will also growl or snarl quite visciously at her offspring - giving a very clear message that his behaviour is unacceptable.
She will then turn away and have nothing to do with her puppy for a few minutes, until he's learned some manners.
If the puppy is persistent, she may grab the puppy by the scruff of the neck and gently shake him to calm him down.
The siblings also play a part in teaching each other not to bite too hard.
If you watch puppies playing, you will see that when one puppy is bitten too hard, it will yelp and move away from the aggressor, and play stops immediately. As puppies love playing, the aggressive puppy will soon learn to inhibit its biting if it wants to play.
Puppies need to be taught that it's not acceptable to bite humans, no matter how hard, and when you bring your puppy home, it's important to continue with teaching your puppy bite inhibition.
If your puppy's biting is not controlled early, he may grow up to have behavioural problems later in life.
Puppy Biting - Timing
Puppies need to learn to develop a 'soft mouth' as early as possible, as the window for doing so closes at around 4 - 5 months. Coincidentally, this is about the same time they get their adult teeth!
Puppy Biting - Some General Do's and Dont's
Don't let your puppy get away with biting and nipping; if you do, he may develop behavioural problems later in life.
Don't smack your puppy for biting. If he's a sensitive puppy, you may hurt and scare him, which could make him afraid of you. If your puppy is not so sensitive, or is a dominant puppy, he may think you're playing with him and, his 'game' may become more aggressive - he may bite you even harder.
Don't despair, keep following the advice given below about how to stop your puppy biting.
Do be consistent when teaching your puppy not to bite. Explain your training method to each family member and ensure they follow the same process.
Do let visitors know that puppy biting is not allowed. Explain and, if necessary, demonstrate, your training methods to your visitors.
Do repeat the training often as it may take many repetitions before your puppy understands what you want form him. Initiate play regularly so that you can train your puppy not to bite.
Do ensure that young children are supervised at all times when playing with puppies.
Don't play rough games, or tug-of-war games, with your puppy - at least until your puppy has learned the 'Leave It' command and you are confident that he will stop and let go upon command.
Do praise and reward your puppy when he gets the training right and when his behaviour is good. This will teach your puppy that you approve of what he is doing, and will reinforce his good behaviour.
How To Stop Your Puppy Biting
Being bitten by sharp little puppy teeth can be very painful - you will need to teach your puppy that biting hurts.
If your puppy bites you, catches your skin with his teeth, or tries to bite at your clothes, yelp loudly, and say 'No' in a firm, disapproving tone, to let your puppy know that he hurt you.
It's okay to over-react and sound a little more hurt than you actually are - the objective is for your puppy to understand that his bite hurt you and that biting humans is wrong.
Stop playing with your puppy and turn away from him, ignore him for about 60 seconds, before beginning play with him again.
If your puppy is persistent, you could try giving him a rubber bone to bite or chew on to help get your message across that he may chew his toys and bones, but that biting hands and fingers is not allowed.
Learn how to stop your puppy chewing furniture, slippers, socks, etc., and teach him that he's only allowed to chew on his own toys.
If your puppy doesn't show any interest in his chew bone, and bites you again, repeat your loud yelp and 'No' and, either move away and ignore him, or leave the room for a few minutes. (If you do leave the room, ensure the room is puppy proof and safe).
Your puppy will soon learn that biting you is wrong and that if he does bite, his play sessions will come to an abrupt end. This is the same message that the mother gives when teaching her pups not to bite, and that's only one of the reasons why it's very important not to remove your puppy from the litter too early.
Your puppy will probably continue to bite, but his bites should now be 'softer' as he's beginning to learn how much bite is enough to allow the fun to continue, and how much bite will stop play.
Your next step is to move towards teaching your puppy not to bite at all.
Even though your puppy's bite no longer hurts you, continue to yelp, and say 'No' when your puppy's teeth touch your hands. Your puppy will eventually stop trying to mouth your hands, and will automatically stop play if his teeth accidently touch your hands.
Teaching your puppy bite inhibition, and stopping the biting process altogether, may take up to 4 weeks to complete successfully, so please be patient.
We strongly recommend above training method, which also works on older puppies and adult dogs, but it may take longer. Just keep at it!
Other Methods To Stop Your Puppy From Biting
There are several other training methods which may be used to help stop your puppy biting. Whilst we don't endorse all of them, we've set them out below to allow you to judge for yourself.
Spraying With Water
It's said that spraying your puppy with water each time he bites you will be unpleasant, but will not hurt him, and will teach him to stop biting.
Holding Your Puppy's Jaw
The next time your puppy bites you, try placing your thumb into your puppy's mouth, under his tongue. At the same time, hold the underside of your puppy's chin with your fingers. Don't be too rough with him, and hold this position for around 15 seconds. This won't hurt your puppy, but it will stop him from being able to bite you.
Nasty-Tasting Hands And Fingers
There are products on the market which, when applied to your hands, your dog will find distasteful, and will be discouraged from biting and nipping your hands and fingers. There are many products to choose from and, one in particular, is said to be very effective - it comes in a spray and tastes of bitter apples.
Using A Choke Collar
There are some people that advocate using a choke collar to stop puppy biting. The choke collar is pulled sharply each time the puppy bites. The sometimes painful and unpleasant, negative association teaches the puppy not to bite. We have never used this method. We believe it's a cruel practice and would definitely not recommend it.
The Shake Method
Another method is to use consists of a tin can with pebbles, coins, or dried peas inside. Each time your puppy bites, say 'No' in a firm tone and, at the same time, shake the tin can. Dogs don't like this rattling sound and will respond quite well; however, we've also read that using the 'shake
method' should only be carried out by experienced trainers. So, before considering using this method, we'd strongly recommend that you take professional advice from a qualified dog-behaviourist.
The Scruff Method
The 'scruff method' is where you grab the puppy's scruff, (the loose skin on the back of your puppy's neck) pretty much the same way his mother would have done when her puppy misbehaved.
When your puppy bites, yelp and say 'No' and, at the same time, grab the scruff firmly. Don't shake, pull or rag your puppy, simply hold the scruff for a few seconds, before letting go and giving him a chew toy.
If the recommended training methods are used carefully and consistently, they will stop your puppy biting - it just takes a bit of time and patience.
However, if your puppy continues to bite, and/or he appears aggressive, growls, or snarls, please take your puppy to see his vet and explain what you have tried. If your vet confirms that your puppy is healthy and there are no underlying problems causing your puppy's aggression, he may recommend that you take your puppy to see a dog behaviourist.
