Bite inhibition is how a dog learns to control the force of his bite. The sooner a puppy learns this, the better. A puppy usually learns to control the ferocity of his bites from other dogs, like his mother or his litter mates. Most breeders warn against adopting puppies before they are eight weeks old, as these first weeks are important for establishing behavioral rules between the mother and her litter. While the dog's owner can help in this capacity, the obvious language barrier between owner and puppy presents a challenge. It takes growth and maturity for a dog to adapt and understand its owner's emotions.
Instructions
Avoid roughhousing and intense play. These acts only encourage a dog to bite and nip at wrists, ankles and feet.
Exaggerate your responses; be a bit dramatic. The puppy must understand that what she is doing is wrong and hurts. A scenario to consider: While playing with your puppy, she nips at your hand. Give a loud, high-pitched shriek, one that lets her know her behavior is not well-received. If she nips again, scream louder. She will soon understand that if she wants to play with you, she'll have to behave.
Be wary of any dog's face, especially a puppy's. Prolonged eye contact or putting your face or hands close to the mouth may be taken as a challenge. A puppy is an animal with animal instincts, even though he is domesticated.
Make your intentions clear. If the puppy is not behaving, walk away. Leave her alone and occupy yourself with other things. That way, she does not take your anger for attention and is more likely to learn the lesson.