When Greeting Why Does a Puppy Nibble Fingers?

Puppies are furry bundles of cuteness, whether they're sound asleep, crunching on kibble or happily licking your face. If your pup has a penchant for nibbling on fingers every time you see him, don't worry. The behavior -- which is called mouthing -- is extremely common in the world of canine youngsters.

  1. Play Biting

    • If your cutie is 5 months old or less, his finger nibbling habit is probably "play biting." Growing young puppies learn about their surroundings using their mouths, and this generally begins when they're in the company of their littermates. When the little guys bite their siblings, they slowly but surely learn about restraint, and when too much is exactly just that. Nipping is routine with puppies, whether of tails, limbs or ears. If a puppy bites his sibling too hard and that abruptly halts the previously fun play session, it can help teach him that what he did was excessive -- and therefore unacceptable. If you bring a puppy into your home at a young age, he could still be in the process of gaining these important experiences and learning new things about interacting socially with others.

    Greeting Excitement

    • If your puppy softly nibbles your fingers every time you greet him, it could be that he's overwhelmed about seeing you and can't contain his emotion -- and perhaps wants to familiarize himself with your fingers. Greetings aren't the only occasions in which puppies frequently partake in mouthing, however. Happy and enthusiastic puppies also mouth when they're in the middle of playtime. They sometimes even do it in times of physical exertion, as well -- say after running in circles around your living room.

    Management

    • Finger nibbling and other mouthing behaviors often go away as puppies get older. However, you can do some things that might curb the behavior in the meanwhile. Chew toys, for instance, are a useful tool for taking the attention away from your fingers. If your puppy nibbles your fingers, you can also try -- while maintaining a relaxed demeanor -- temporarily leaving the scene. By leaving for roughly a minute, you might show your pet that finger nibbling gets that effect, which surely isn't the one he wants. You can also make sure your puppy always receives plentiful physical activity. Pent-up energy levels occasionally bring out mouthing in young canines. Whether through fetch sessions or brisk outdoor strolls, get your puppy's body moving. Encouraging regular face-to-face interaction with fellow puppies can also be smart for cutting this behavior out.

    Outside Help

    • If your puppy's behavior feels more like a sharp bite than a playful and inquisitive nibble, it's time to recruit outside assistance. If you're worried that your fluffball is being aggressive with you or to any of your family, friends or other pets, don't try to handle the situation by yourself, as that could be extremely dangerous. Instead, look for a professional in the field of pet behavior. Remember, any "nibbling" behavior that hurts or that causes wounding needs to be eliminated immediately.