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How to Train a Puppy Not to Bite: A Complete Guide

Jan 9, 2025 | Dog Behavior, dog ownership

Do you know how to train a puppy not to bite? 

Puppies are bundles of joy, but their needle-sharp teeth can turn playtime into a painful experience. If you’ve been on the receiving end of your pup’s enthusiastic biting behavior, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and the good news is that this is something puppies can be trained to overcome.

This guide will take you through everything you need to know about how to train a puppy not to bite, including why puppies bite, how to teach them bite inhibition, and practical steps to encourage gentle play. By the end, you’ll have the tools needed to steer your furry friend toward becoming a well-behaved, good dog.

Why Do Puppies Bite?

Puppies bite for various reasons, and understanding their behavior is the first step towards teaching appropriate behavior. Here’s why most puppies tend to nip and bite:

1. Exploration with Their Mouth

Puppies experience the world in much the same way human babies do — by exploring with their mouths. It’s a natural part of their development as they learn about their environment. Puppies use their teeth to interact with objects, gauge textures, and satisfy their growing curiosity. Additionally, during this stage, they may chew on inappropriate items or bite during play simply because their mouth is one of their primary tools for discovery. Understanding this behavior can help you address it effectively through appropriate redirection and providing safe items, like chew toys, for your puppy to investigate.

2. Teething Pain

Teething is a natural stage of a puppy’s growth, typically occurring between 3 to 8 months of age. During this time, puppies start to lose their baby teeth and their adult teeth begin to come in, which can cause significant discomfort. To alleviate this teething pain, your puppy may chew on anything within reach, from furniture to your fingers. This behavior isn’t out of spite—it’s simply their way of self-soothing. Providing appropriate teething toys or frozen treats can help ease their discomfort and minimize the likelihood of inappropriate chewing or biting. Consistent redirection and giving them suitable outlets can make this phase manageable while protecting your belongings and your hands.

3. Learning to Communicate

Puppy biting is a natural behavior and an integral part of their development. Puppies explore their world with their mouths, using biting as a way to interact, play, and learn boundaries. However, as they grow, it is essential to teach them to bite gently or to refrain from biting altogether. Consistent training helps puppies understand what is acceptable and establishes clear communication between the puppy and their owner.


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4. Overexcitement and Rough Play

Overexcitement and rough play can sometimes lead to unintended consequences, particularly in social or group settings. When individuals, especially children or pets, become excessively excited, their actions may become unpredictable or overly energetic. This behavior can escalate into rough play, which may inadvertently result in injuries, hurt feelings, or damaged property. It is important to set clear boundaries and encourage self-regulation to prevent situations from getting out of control. Providing structured activities and calming techniques can help channel energy in a positive way, ensuring that play remains safe and enjoyable for all participants.

5. No Limits Set

Puppy biting is a natural behavior that stems from their teething phase and their innate curiosity to explore the world around them. Puppies often use their mouths to play, communicate, and interact, making nipping or biting an instinctive part of their development. However, it is crucial for owners to establish boundaries early on to prevent this behavior from becoming problematic as the puppy grows.

Training and redirection play a vital role in addressing puppy biting. Teaching a puppy to understand what is acceptable by offering chew toys or redirecting their attention from hands to appropriate objects can help them learn proper play manners. Consistency and positive reinforcement, such as treats or praise, reinforce good behavior and discourage biting. Socialization with other dogs also helps puppies learn bite inhibition, as they can pick up behavioral cues during play.

Understanding why your puppy bites allows you to take informed steps toward resolving the issue.

How to Train Your Puppy Not to Bite

Teaching your pup not to bite involves a mix of patience, positive reinforcement training, and consistency. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Teach Bite Inhibition

Bite inhibition involves teaching your puppy to use their mouth gently. This is a skill puppies learn with their littermates when play biting, and it’s up to you to continue reinforcing this behavior at home.

Action Steps:

  • Use a High-Pitched Yelp

When your puppy’s teeth touch your skin, yelp loudly and stop playing immediately. This mimics how other puppies communicate discomfort during rough play.

  • Give a Time-Out

If the yelp doesn’t work and your pup continues to bite, give them a brief time out. Walk away and stop interacting for at least two minutes. This shows them that biting ends fun.

💡 Pro Tip: Remain consistent! If you sometimes tolerate biting and at other times punish it, your puppy won’t understand the rules.

2. Redirect their Attention

Puppies often bite because they need something else to satisfy their teething urges or excessive energy. Redirect their energy to appropriate chew toys.

Action Steps:

  • Always have toys nearby when playing with your puppy.
  • Offer toys like a squeaky toy or a chew toy as soon as they start to bite.
  • Praise your puppy enthusiastically when they chew on the toy rather than your fingers. Positive reinforcement helps reinforce good behavior.

3. Use Positive Reinforcement Training

Positive reinforcement is a proven dog training method that praises for good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior.

Action Steps:

  • Reward your puppy immediately when they play gently or stop mouthing you with treats and verbal praise like “Good dog!”
  • Be consistent across the household. Ensure all family members reinforce the same behaviors.

4. Avoid Physical Punishment

Never physically punish your puppy for biting. Hitting, yelling, or other harsh methods can create fear and even lead to real aggression later. Puppies learn best through trust, gentle play, and consistent reinforcement.

5. Tools to Help Stop Mouthing

For persistent biters, combining training techniques with deterrents can work wonders.

Action Steps:

  • Use a taste deterrent, like bitter apple spray, on your hands and clothing. Your puppy will associate biting human skin with an unpleasant taste.
  • Avoid toys that encourage aggressive interactions, such as tug-of-war ropes, until your puppy has learned to play gently.

6. Enroll in a Puppy Class

Formal dog training classes expose your puppy to other dogs and help reinforce their learned bite inhibition. Socialization with other puppies teaches them boundaries in a safe environment facilitated by a professional dog trainer.

This also helps puppies learn how to communicate with other dogs and builds confidence, reducing the likelihood of biting from fear or anxiety.

💡 Pro Tip: Look for classes that emphasize positive reinforcement techniques rather than dominance-based training.

Additional Tips for Bite-Free Play

While training your puppy not to bite can take time, these additional tips can help make the process smoother:

  • Rotate their Toys Regularly

Puppies love interesting and new toys. Rotate their collection to keep them engaged.

  • Schedule Regular Play Sessions

A tired puppy is a happy puppy. Make time for play and exercise to burn off excess energy that might lead to biting.

  • Be Patient

Training takes time—most puppies won’t stop biting overnight. You’ll need to stick with these methods for at least two weeks before seeing significant improvement.

  • Encourage Gentle Play

Teach your puppy to mouth gently. If they bite too hard, use the yelp-and-stop method or a time out.

By consistently working with your puppy, you’ll build trust and teach them what’s expected.

black and white smooth coat puppy

Top 6 Dog Toys to Help with Puppy Biting

KONG Puppy Chew Toy

The KONG Puppy Chew Toy is a durable and versatile option designed specifically for teething puppies. It can be stuffed with treats or peanut butter to keep your puppy engaged and satisfied.

Buy on Kong

Nylabone Puppy Chew Teething Rings

Perfect for teething puppies, these teething rings are safe and gentle on your puppy’s gums while helping to curb destructive chewing habits.

Buy on Nylabone

Benebone Puppy Chew Toy

Made with puppy-friendly materials and infused with a tasty flavor, the Benebone is an excellent, long-lasting choice for persistent chewers.

Buy on Benebone

Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy

This interactive toy not only keeps puppies busy but also reduces boredom-related biting by engaging them in mentally stimulating play.

Buy on Outward Hound

Chuckit! Ultra Ball

Great for active puppies, this high-bounce, durable ball encourages exercise and play, redirecting energy away from biting.

Buy on Website

Milk-Bone Active Chew Treat Holder

A fun combination of a chew toy and a treat dispenser, this toy helps soothe teething irritation and keeps your puppy entertained for hours.

Buy on Milkbone

These toys provide a practical and enjoyable way to manage puppy biting while promoting healthy habits during their teething phase.

When to Seek Professional Help For Your Biting Puppy

If your puppy’s biting behavior persists despite training—or if it seems aggressive rather than playful—it’s time to consult a professional dog trainer. They can assess your puppy’s behavior and create a tailored training plan to address any concerns.

Remember, biting doesn’t mean your puppy is destined to be trouble. With proper guidance, even the most persistent biter can become a well-mannered, gentle companion.

Bring your pup to Snouts and Stouts Indoor Dog Park and Bar to let your pup get all that energy out while you enjoy watching!

Enjoy a Bite-Free Bond with Your Pup | How To Train A Puppy Not To bite 

Training your not to bite is an essential part of helping them grow into a happy and well-adjusted adult dog. By understanding why puppies bite and applying bite inhibition, positive reinforcement training, redirections, and tools like chew toys and puppy classes, you can stop the behavior before it becomes a habit.

You’ve got this! With consistency and patience, you’ll soon enjoy gentle play sessions and a deeper bond with your furry best friend.

Got a biting puppy? Share how you’re making progress in the comments below!

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