Stop Puppy Biting - What Can Be Done?

Puppies are just generally curious. They obviously don't have the ability to grasp things with their hands, as we humans do, so they have to use their mouths to cure the curious intentions.

Puppies are just generally curious. They obviously don't have the ability to grasp things with their hands, as we humans do, so they have to use their mouths to cure the curious intentions.

This is what they use to explore their surrounding environment. Obviously, when they do that, they also take little bites.

Normally a puppy knows to stop biting when he is surrounded by other puppies. What usually happens is the puppies will play around as they tend to do.

They'll wrestle, bark, and yes, bite. But what happens is, when one puppy bites a little too hard on another puppy. The other puppy will let out a big cry.

Automatically the biter knows that he is biting down too hard, and he begins to realize the power of his teeth. However, if you've got a puppy alone in a house with not other dogs, he's gonna be practicing his biting on you.

That's when its your job to stop puppy biting.

This is where the tone of your voice is critical. If the puppy gives you a little bite, grab him by the collar, and give him a little tug, and say in a firm voice "BE NICE".

The next time he does this, say the same thing, but in a firmer voice. Your voice should be more direct every time the puppy bites, or at least attempts to.

When he finally figures it out and just licks your hand instead of biting it, that's when you say in a calming voice "That's right, be nice". The calming tone when he gets it right is just as important as the firm tone when he gets it wrong.

Also another way to avoid this is to not play games where the puppy will get all riled up. Especially, the kind of games where your hands are close to his face and mouth.

Try to always have a toy when you are playing with your puppy. He'll get accustomed to knowing what is it that he should be biting on, what he shouldn't be.