Help! My Puppy Won’t Stop Biting Me!
Puppies bring so much joy to our lives—those adorable puppy eyes, floppy ears, sweet puppy breath kisses, and the uncoordinated pitter-patter of little paws are enough to melt anyone’s heart. But as much as we love them, it’s not all kisses and cuddles. Puppies bite. HARD (they don’t earn the nickname “piranha” for nothing)! Many new puppy owners are surprised by just how intense the biting can get. The good news is though, that puppy biting is not only normal, but essential to their development. Understanding why puppies bite and how to manage it can make this phase of their life much easier and more enjoyable for both of you.
Why Do Puppies Bite?
Puppies may bite for many reasons, but here are some of the most common ones:
Exploration: Puppies are naturally curious and use their mouths to explore the world around them. Similar to a toddler who puts everything in their mouth, chewing and biting helps puppies learn about their environment.
Play: Puppies use their mouths to play, just like adult dogs. The difference is that they haven’t yet learned to control the strength of their jaws. Through positve interactions with people and other dogs, they begin to develop better control and learn to be gentler.
Communication: Puppies may bite as a way of communicating with us. Biting or nipping can be their way of saying, "I want to play," "I'm frustrated," “I’m tired,” or even "Please leave me alone." Until we teach them alternative ways to communicate, they’ll continue to rely on what comes naturally to them.
Teething: Between 16-24 weeks of age, puppies begin to lose their baby teeth, and their adult teeth come in. This painful teething phase can make biting even more intense, as puppies often bite to soothe the discomfort in their mouths.
Even though puppy biting can be very frustrating, try to remember that your pup is just a baby who’s still learning and growing. By providing guidance during this stage, you’ll help your puppy develop the skills they need to navigate life and develop into a well-rounded dog.
So, What’s a Puppy Parent To Do?
1. Meet Your Puppy’s Needs
The first step in managing biting is ensuring that your puppy’s basic needs are met. Some of the most important factors related to biting include:
Sleep: Puppies need a lot of sleep, and an overtired puppy is one of the most common causes of biting. Make sure your puppy is getting at least 16 hours of quality sleep each day.
Exercise: Puppies need an appropriate amount of exercise for their breed and age. Too little exercise can result in pent-up energy, while too much can lead to over-exhaustion—both of which can trigger biting. It’s all about finding the right balance.
Enrichment: Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. Enrich your puppy’s environment with engaging toys, training, and socialization opportunities (Check out this blog article for more info on the benefits of enrichment).
2. Provide Appropriate Outlets for Play
To satisfy your puppy’s natural instinct to chew, be sure to provide appropriate chew toys. Offering a variety of toys made from different materials, with various textures, flavors, firmness, and shapes, will keep your puppy engaged and entertained.
One effective strategy is to use a toy rotation system. Instead of giving your puppy access to all their toys at once, provide a few toys at a time and regularly swap them out with “new” ones, at least daily. This keeps your puppy from getting bored and helps the toys stay novel for longer (saving you money, too!).
However, it’s not just about the toys. Be mindful of your own behavior when playing with your puppy (this is especially important for kids). Hyper or erratic actions can encourage your puppy to bite, so aim for calm and controlled play, and teach kids to do the same.
3. Teach Playtime Etiquette
It’s important to teach your puppy that biting is not an appropriate way to interact with people. The best way to do this is by ceasing play immediately when your puppy bites too hard. After a bite, stop all interaction for about 15-30 seconds, and give them a moment to calm down (you can also walk away from them). This teaches your puppy that biting results in the end of playtime and to keep the game going, they need to keep their teeth to themself.
4. Avoid Punishment
It’s crucial not to punish, scold, or physically correct your puppy for biting. Negative reactions can cause fear or anxiety, which might make the biting worse. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior and redirect your puppy to toys or more acceptable play methods when necessary.
Remember…
Puppy biting is a normal and natural part of your puppy’s development, but it’s important to manage it early on. By meeting your puppy’s physical and mental needs, offering appropriate play outlets, and using positive training techniques, you can successfully guide them through this phase. If you need professional help, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to offer personalized training support for you and your puppy and guide you on your puppy raising journey!
With wags and aloha,
Cori Tufano- CPDT-KA, CSAT, FDM, FFCP
