How to Prevent Your Puppy From Biting

Biting, nipping and chewing are as natural to puppies as sleeping. It feels good and it's the first way puppies learn to play when they are in a liter. Biting is a nuisance, however, and it can become a serious problem with adult dogs. Teach your puppy the rules of biting while it is young and you'll have a happy, well-adjusted dog for many years to come.

Things You'll Need

  • Puppy toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Play proactively. When playing with your pup, don't let it bite or chew your hands. When it starts to bite you, draw attention to a toy, encouraging it to bite and chew on the toy, recommends Jon Geller, DVM of The Dog Channel.com. If your puppy continues to bite you, stop playing with it and walk away. Leaving your dog alone will teach it that biting you costs him his playtime.

    • 2

      Surprise your puppy. When your dog begins to bite you, startle it with a high-pitched, loud cry that resembles the sound a puppy makes when it is hurt, suggests Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. of Pet Education.com. You can also cry, "Ouch!" Whatever sound you use, it needs to be loud enough to startle the puppy and stop it from biting. When your puppy stops biting, substitute a toy for it to chew on.

    • 3

      Give your puppy plenty of things to chew. Puppies need to chew because they are teething. This will not only keep your puppy from biting you, it will keep your dog from chewing on other items in the house.

    • 4

      Be consistent. Don't allow your puppy to chew on anything other than toys. Anytime you catch your puppy chewing on something not allowed, tell it, "No," and give it a toy. This will teach your dog to chew only certain things.