Puppies Bite!

Puppy biting can be painful, annoying, and it may feel like it will never stop, no matter what you try!

Take a deep breath and try to shift your mindset. Don’t turn puppy biting into a big issue, your puppy needs time to learn what you expect from them. Biting is a form of communication; they’re trying to express their needs.

Consider whether your puppy might need a nap, training time, or something else. Biting often indicates an unmet need. Instead of trying to stop this natural behavior, focus on redirecting it.

Different strategies work for different puppies, so experiment to find what works best for your little one. Provide activities like playing with other dogs, gnawing on frozen enrichment items, shredding safe materials (if they don’t ingest them), and offering specific chews or toys. Introduce these items strategically at specific times and places.

Check out these helpful videos to curb puppy biting and channel their energy in the right direction.

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Puppies are little energy bombs, and when the zoomies strike… often in the morning or evening perhaps after a meal things can get wild! This playful chaos, sometimes called their "witching hour," is completely normal. During these high-energy moments, it's a good idea to keep young kids out of the mix and follow this game plan—

1. Redirect their biting onto a favorite toy. A long fleece tug toy is ideal, but any favorite toy will work. Make the toy more enticing by moving it away from them, mimicking prey running away. See if they are able to tug with you. play fetch or other controlled games.

2. Stay calm and quiet. Yelling, hitting, or reacting in a way that raises your energy can excite them and will often make things worse. If your puppy’s sharp little teeth latch onto your clothes or skin, resist the urge to pull away, it can encourage them to hold on tighter. Instead, if it’s safe, try gently pushing into the bite. This subtle shift often encourages them to release on their own.

3. Disengage if needed. If the biting doesn’t stop, calmly disengage. Step into another room for about 10 seconds to 2 minutes, no fuss, no drama. This sends a clear message: fun time only continues when they play nicely. Puppies are smart! They’ll quickly learn that gentle behavior keeps you around, while biting you or your clothes make the fun disappear.

If your puppy is particularly persistent while biting your pant legs, leash, or skin, try these adjustments:

For pant leg biters: Use long fleece tug when walking or switch to leggings or shorts instead of long pants.

For leash biters: Use a chain leash or attach a toy to the leash handle to redirect their attention to the toy.

MYTH: Dogs don’t chew up your shoes out of spite (and that guilty look? It’s not guilt. It’s often a fear or appeasement response to human reactions like your stern face, corrections or emotional outbursts). They’re not plotting revenge; they’re just being, dogs. If your pup gets into trouble, take a step back. Have you left tempting items within reach? Is your space truly puppy-proofed?

Chewing, nipping, and biting usually come down to teething, boredom, or stress, not a secret puppy vendetta. This is good news, you can set them up for success with appropriate outlets, and you’ll save both your belongings and your sanity!

CHEWING

Puppy biting is a developmental behavior. Puppies need to chew—it’s how they self-soothe, explore, and express frustration or boredom. Teething is painful, especially between 12 to 16 weeks. Puppies gnaw and chew to relieve discomfort, learn bite inhibition, and explore their world. Our goal is to encourage appropriate chewing while minimizing inappropriate biting.

ENRICHMENT

You can also help reduce biting by incorporating training or enrichment activities into mealtime. Let your pup eat part of their meal on their own, then use the rest for interactive training or enrichment activities. Swapping a traditional meal for a play or training session not only engages their mind but also helps burn off extra energy, making unwanted behaviors less likely.

MANAGEMENT

Make training easier by setting your puppy up for success! Remove tempting items and create a safe space where they can chew on appropriate items. Invest in a long-term containment solution like a puppy pen or folding exercise pen (x-pen). Check out some great options here:

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Once you prep enrichment and management is in place here are your choices:

1. Don’t Engage: Avoid saying “No!” or “Stop!” or using your hands or feet to push your puppy away. These actions can feel like play and may encourage more biting. Instead, calmly stand up and remove yourself.
2. Walk Away: Actively disengage by getting up and calmly walking away without making a sound. If possible, step through a door or gate and close it behind you for up to 10 seconds, leaving your puppy on the other side. This sends a clear message: biting means the fun stops. Removing yourself is often more effective than removing your puppy.
3. Offer a Better Option: Find something similar to what your puppy loves to grab—whether it’s a toy, treat, or even a sock. Redirect their focus by encouraging them to engage with a more appropriate item.
4. Prioritize Naps: Puppies need more sleep than we often realize. They’re cute and social, so they’ll stay awake to engage with us, even when overtired (which often leads to more biting). Set up a consistent nap routine in a quiet space, using crates, gates, or x-pens to create a cozy “Zen Den.” Short snoozes at your feet don’t count, most puppies will pop up at the slightest sound or movement, ready to participate in whatever’s happening.
5. Ticket into Containment: If your puppy is overly excited, or if you’re low on patience or time, guide them to their designated containment area—a crate, kennel, x-pen, or gated laundry room. Always provide a chew or treat when they “earn a ticket” into their space to ensure it remains a good experience to go in rather than punishment.
6. Be Patient: Consistency is key. Make sure everyone in the household follows the same approach. Most puppies naturally transition from intense puppy biting into more appropriate interactions by 5-6 months. And as they start getting their adult teeth, we’ll talk about managing destructive chewing next!

SAFE CHEW ITEMS

Chewing releases endorphins, and licking promotes relaxation. Provide safe chew options in designated areas to encourage appropriate habits that also keep them entertained.

Interactive Toys for Mealtime

Ditch the bowl! Instead, soak your pup’s food in water or low-sodium broth, then stuff and freeze it in toys like Kongs, Toppls, Honey Pots found on the Amazon wish list.

Frozen Enrichment Ideas

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Long-Lasting Chew Options

• Bully sticks
• Frozen stuffed trachea
• Pork rolls
• Pig, cow, or sheep ears
• Beef cheeks, water buffalo cheeks
• Fish cubes (longer-lasting than fish sticks)

⚠️ Avoid hard chews like antlers or weight-bearing bones that can break teeth. Always supervise your puppy with new chew items.

Spreadables for Lick Mats

• Cream cheese or spray cheese
• Vegemite or tahini
• Canned dog food (use a squirt bottle or freeze in toys)
• Baby food (ensure it’s safe for dogs)
• Peanut or almond butter (xylitol-free)

LONG LASTING CHEW OPTIONS

🥖 Bully Sticks

🌮 Frozen Stuffed Trachea

🥐 Pork Rolls

🥓 Pig, Cow & Sheep Ears

😊 Beef Cheeks, Water Buffalo Cheeks

🧊 Fish Cubes are bit longer lasting than fish sticks & rolls

Anything that can not bend can break a tooth etc. talk with your vet about trying...

𐂂 Hoofs, Antlers

🧀 Himalayan Cheese Chews

🦴 Marrow and other raw bones

🔹 Supervision is key! Always monitor your pup with new chews, toys, or enrichment items to ensure their safety.