How to Stop Puppy Biting and Nipping
Puppy biting is normal. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and teething makes chewing feel good. The goal is to teach your puppy that human skin is off-limits while giving them plenty of appropriate things to chew.
What's normal and what isn't
Mouthing and nipping during play, especially between 8 and 20 weeks of age, is typical. Stiff body language, growling with a frozen posture, or biting when handled or near food is different — talk to your vet or a qualified trainer about those.
What helps
1. Redirect to a toy
Keep a soft tug toy or chew within reach. When your puppy goes for your hands, offer the toy instead and play with that.
2. Pause the fun
If teeth touch skin, say "oops" calmly and stop playing for 10–20 seconds. Then try again. Your puppy learns that biting ends the game.
3. Watch for overtiredness
Many "bitey" moments happen when puppies are overtired, just like toddlers. Young puppies need 16–20 hours of sleep a day. A calm nap in a crate or pen is often the best fix.
4. Offer chewing outlets
Rotate safe chews and frozen toys, especially during teething. A puppy with something good to chew is less likely to chew you.
5. Avoid rough play with hands
Wrestling with hands teaches that hands are toys. Use toys as the "middle" in play instead.
What not to do
Avoid holding the mouth shut, tapping the nose or yelling. These can make puppies more excited or fearful, and fear can lead to more serious biting later.
Want a structured plan? Our guide to boredom-related behavior problems explains why mental exercise matters and reviews a step-by-step training program you can follow at home.
Important: This article is general information, not veterinary or professional behavioral advice. If your dog shows aggression, or a behavior appears suddenly, talk to your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist first.