Freeze all movement when you give the interrupter. Once the interrupter cue is given, it's crucial to take advantage of that short pause between nipping.
If your puppy pulls back when they hear you yelp, praise them in a calm, even-toned voice. This pause in nipping gives you some options for what to do next. You can continue to play with your puppy, but grab a toy or bully stick to redirect their biting to something appropriate. You can stop playing with your puppy if you feel they are getting too amped up and will continue nipping.
Simply give your puppy something else to do, whether it's hanging out in their playpen or maybe it's mealtime. And because it's so overused, many dogs don't even know what "no" means. Wait to teach your dog "no" until after they know what "yes" means.
Instead, I like to use a non-word interrupter noise like "eek! If your puppy is intent on putting their teeth on skin, there should be a consequence. One of the most effective consequences is what's called "negative punishment. For nipping, we take away what the puppy wants at that moment — attention, play, and interaction. We do this to make the nipping decrease in frequency.
Find out more about what "negative punishment" means and how to use it in conjunction with positive reinforcement in our podcast article "Dog Training — The Right and Wrong Way to Reward and Punish.
This can take some repetitions for your puppy to learn, and your consistency is essential for success. If they sometimes get more attention or play, it will be tough for them to learn the association we want.
If your puppy does not stop nipping when you try to interrupt, it's time for some settle-down time in their puppy zone. Calmly remove your pup from the situation, picking them up bitey end facing away from your face and placing them in their pen. Give them an appropriate chew to work on, or check to see if it's time to eat.
Many puppies get increasingly mouthy when they are hungry or tired. This is a modified time-out. We don't want them to view the pen as punishment, which is why it's important to give them an appropriate activity in their pen. Putting them in their puppy zone for a few minutes helps prevent any nipping from occurring. It also helps them learn about the association that nipping at you means you go away. They don't need to be in their puppy zone for long. Many puppies who are put in their pen after getting too nippy during play usually pass out for a long nap.
Just like toddlers, sometimes puppies show that they are tired or hungry by acting a bit cranky. Ensure that your puppy has opportunities to chew and nibble on appropriate things.
Teething can be very uncomfortable for your pup, and they need something to gnaw on that soothes the pain. A puppy KONG is an excellent choice, especially if stuffed with frozen wet food or softened kibble. This Cooling Teeth Stick featured below, is another great option, as it can be frozen but still stays soft enough to prevent tooth damage. Avoid toys that they might shred and ingest, and don't give them bones or chews that are too hard and might crack their teeth.
Check out this list of trainer-recommended products for nipping puppies for more safe toys and chew ideas. When choosing the best toys for your puppy, it's helpful to consider their "chewsonality. Excess puppy energy often means an increase in nipping or other unwanted puppy behaviors. While they are still young, physical exercise should be moderated. You can pair short sessions of physical activity with lots of mental exercise throughout the day! Enrichment is all about providing appropriate outlets for natural dog instincts and behaviors.
These two cues are crucial when working with a nipping puppy that wants to put everything in their mouth. Playing tug is a great game to practice Drop It with your puppy. Watch puppy Finnegan practice drop it while playing tug during his nippy puppy phase in this video:.
When teaching these cues, one of the biggest mistakes we humans make is mixing up the meaning between the two. This can be very confusing for a dog learning what it is exactly that we're asking for. Because the majority of puppy nipping is based in play or due to lack of bite inhibition, adding an aversive punishment when it happens can have unintended consequences. As mentioned above, instead you can use "negative punishment" to take away something your puppy wants and likes to decrease the unwanted behavior.
This type of behavior "positive punishment" can damage the trust and sense of safety they have in you. Raising a puppy is hard work and many new puppy owners experience what's called the "puppy blues," where they feel exhausted, anxious, and depressed. Puppy nipping and biting is often the main trigger of an outburst of anger from us humans — getting nipped hurts!
It can be hard to not want to yell at our puppies, but it's worth it for your relationship to try and stay cool, calm, and collected at the moment. If you're feeling overwhelmed with your puppy's behavior, reach out to us or your dog trainer for support. We're here to help. This can be hard, but try to keep your movements especially your hands slow and smooth. Fast or jerky movement can entice more play nipping and lunging.
Running children can be a big enticement for puppies to play and nip as they chase heels. If your children are running around and playing, keep your puppy separate or have them on a leash under your control. Once the pup calms down, you can let them out. Sometimes a biting puppy is really an over-tired puppy, and they need to be put in a quiet space or crate to take a nap. Other times, they may need a potty break, or may just be hungry or thirsty.
When the puppy keeps biting, even after you substitute a toy several times , he may just need to burn up some physical or mental energy. Take them in the yard and watch them run around. Never, ever hit or otherwise physically punish your dog. If your pet seems to be biting out of aggression , speak to a veterinarian or dog trainer about ways to manage that behavior. An AKC S. Puppy class or another well-run local class will provide your puppy with the chance to socialize with other dogs.
Teaching your little manic play biter to be polite with their mouth may seem like a huge challenge at first. Patience and consistency are the keys. Some puppies may back off during one play session, and come at you teeth first in the next.
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Compare Breeds Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side. Dog Name Finder Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration. Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. This puts the burden on you to manage your interactions with her to help avoid problems, and to have patience and empathy while she learns.
And this, of course, brings us to the next obvious question. Even if we understand that biting and mouthing are normal things that puppies do, they can still be quite problematic in a human household! So what can we do to help keep our hands, clothing, and possessions intact with a puppy in the house? Fortunately, the answer is: plenty! Instead, we want to find ways to make this normal developmental period as painless and stress-free as possible for everyone involved.
Being a new puppy owner is a lot like having a toddler in your home. Just as new parents must purchase plastic plugs for their electrical outlets and put child safety locks on the bathroom cabinets, you need to make some basic preparations before turning your pup loose to explore. But you have to do it. No exceptions. Anything even remotely interesting that is left within reach will likely be destroyed. Consider yourself warned! First, you can use a baby gate or other barrier to block her access to areas where these things are.
This is much less stressful for both of you, versus constantly scolding her for chewing the furniture. This is one area where I often find there is room for improvement.
Even dedicated puppy owners who are trying to do everything right may not be providing enough variety to keep their pups busy. Dogs have their own preferences about what they enjoy, just like people — so it may take some trial and error to find what works for your pup. And then redirect some more! In all seriousness, it can sometimes feel like this is a full-time job with a puppy in the house. No teasing her with your hands or fingers, or using your shirt sleeve for an impromptu game of tug — it might seem cute for a moment or two, but obviously, this is not a habit we want to teach!
What kind of toy, you ask? Well, that depends entirely on what your puppy enjoys. I would suggest having lots of different types on hand — long floppy rope or fleece toys for tugging, plush squeaky toys for biting and carrying, and smaller toys or balls for chasing or fetching.
Practice different ways of tossing her toys, or wiggling them enticingly along the floor until you learn what makes her light up with excitement. What about petting? The list goes on. I know that these suggestions are well-intentioned. But none of them are necessary, and all have the potential to do lasting harm.
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