Training a Biting Puppy to stop Biting

A young puppy has to learn that biting is not acceptable.

Next to potty training the issue that causes the greatest concern for new puppy owners is puppy biting.   If your puppy is growling and biting at 3 months of age...DO NOT freak out.  This is normal behavior for all puppies.  It does not mean you have a dominant or aggressive puppy.    The puppy is playing and teething at this early age.  But you do need to teach your puppy that you are the leader and that biting is acceptable on chew toys only.  Patience is required.    Puppy biting does require a level of maturity to resolve itself in your puppy.

1) Begin establishing yourself as a leader to your puppy as soon as you bring your puppy home.  Do this by beginning training your puppy.  Teach your puppy simple commands and reward with treats.


2) If your puppy bites you let him know that he has to be more careful.  Yell, 'Ouch', if he bites down....especially loud if it is painful.  Remove your hand and give him a toy.   If your puppy becomes too rambunctious, put him in his crate or pen to settle down.

3) Do not act like a puppy with your puppy.  Children often get rambunctious and encourage puppies to play bite.  Tug of war with toys and clothes is not appropriate at this age.  The puppy may begin growling and biting the child in this kind of play.  Supervise your child with your puppy at all times so you can teach appropriate behavior.   Teach your child to play appropriate games and to teach the puppy simple commands.  If the child continues to play inappropriately with the puppy, separate the child and the puppy.   If this kind of activity continues there is a danger the puppy will in time exert dominance over the child and turn into aggressive biting.

3) The puppy biting should decrease significantly over the months.  By 6-7mths of age, the puppy should no longer be mouthing you or anyone.

Here is a video with helpful tips for decreasing puppy biting....