How to Stop a Puppy From Biting Things

Puppies bite in response to a natural instinct to chew. Wild canines chew as a way to clean their teeth and relieve boredom, and domestic dogs will often give into these urges. Puppies are taught to control their biting urges by their mother and litter mates, although many puppies continue biting into adulthood. Eliminating unwanted biting is important for the health of your family as well as the safety of your home.

Things You'll Need

Exercise pen
Chew toy
Treats
Bitter apple spray

Instructions

- 1
  Erect an exercise pen to contain the puppy. An exercise pen is made of a number of large wire panels that form a circular pen to keep your puppy in a small area when you are unable to play with her. Set the pen in the same room you are in so you can still keep an eye on her.
- 2
  Exercise the puppy at various times during the day to help burn off excess energy. Puppies often chew when they want to play, so take her outside and throw a ball or run with her to wear her out. If she will walk on a leash, you can take her for two or three 20-minute walks throughout the day to keep her occupied.
- 3
  Place items out of reach to keep the puppy from destroying them. Pick up children's toys and hide them in a toy box and keep your shoes in a closet or wardrobe out of reach. Wrap up electrical cords and run them along the wall to prevent your puppy from reaching them.
- 4
  Replace inappropriate items with chew toys when you catch the puppy chewing. Tell him "no chew" in a stern voice, exchanging the bad item for a chew toy. Praise him when he begins to chew on his own toy, and offer him a treat to reinforce the good behavior.
- 5
  Add a coating of bitter apple to items or surfaces the puppy is not supposed to chew. Bitter apple is a non-toxic spray with an extremely bitter taste used to deter unwanted biting. Watch the puppy and repeat the "no bite" command when she tastes the bitter apple to associate the bad taste with the command.