Written by Adelaide Stewart-Jones, accredited dog trainer (IMDT, UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter) and IAABC member. Founder of The Confident K9 in Kidderminster.If you have just brought home a new puppy and discovered they are basically a small set of needle-sharp teeth attached to a furry body, welcome. You are in the right place. Puppy biting (also called “mouthing” or “nipping”) is one of the most common reasons new owners in Kidderminster contact me. The good news: it is completely normal, and it is one of the easiest things to fix when you know how.This guide walks you through exactly what to do, what not to do, and when to consider getting 1:1 help.🐾 Want hands-on help instead? Our 1:1 puppy training packages in Kidderminster and Worcestershire tackle biting, jumping, recall and toilet training in your own home. Book your free 20-minute call
Why do puppies bite?
Puppies bite for completely normal reasons:
- Exploration: they use their mouths the way human babies use their hands.
- Teething: those needle teeth fall out between 12 and 20 weeks, and gums get sore.
- Play: in the litter, puppies wrestle and mouth each other constantly.
- Overstimulation: a tired or overexcited puppy bites more, not less.
- Attention: if biting gets a reaction, puppies quickly learn it works.
Understanding the reason behind the biting helps you choose the right response.
What not to do
Before covering what works, let us clear up what does not:
- Do not shout or say “no” sharply. This often increases excitement, particularly in confident puppies, and can make biting worse.
- Do not tap the puppy on the nose. This is aversive and damages trust.
- Do not play rough games with your hands. If your hands become toys, your puppy will treat them as toys.
- Do not yelp. Despite popular advice, this often excites puppies more rather than stopping them.
- Do not punish after the fact. If you did not catch it in the moment, the moment has passed.
What actually works
Method 1: Remove the reward (disengage)
The moment your puppy’s teeth touch skin, stop all interaction. Cross your arms, turn away, and become completely boring. Wait for four paws on the floor and calm behaviour, then re-engage calmly. Repeat consistently.
This works because biting has lost its reward. No reaction, no attention, no game.
Method 2: Redirect onto a toy
Before the bite happens, redirect onto an appropriate chew toy. Keep toys within easy reach at all times so you can produce one quickly. The toy gets animated play; biting skin ends the game immediately.
Method 3: Give your puppy a rest
A tired, overstimulated puppy bites the most. If your puppy is becoming increasingly manic and bitey, they almost certainly need a nap, not more play. Pop them in their crate or a quiet pen with a chew and let them rest.
A puppy that seems unable to stop despite your best efforts is usually overtired, not defiant.
Method 4: Manage the environment
Set your puppy up to succeed. If biting happens most during walks past children’s legs, at ankle height, or during cuddle time, adjust the situation temporarily while you work on the issue. Management is not failure; it is good training.
How long does it take to stop puppy biting?
With consistent application of the methods above, most puppies show significant improvement within two to three weeks. Full mouth control, where a dog understands not to apply pressure even in exciting play, develops over several months.
If your puppy is biting hard enough to break skin regularly, or if the biting is directed at one person only or accompanied by other concerning behaviours, it is worth getting a professional assessment sooner rather than later.
When to get professional help
Consider booking a 1:1 session if:
- The biting is escalating rather than improving after two to three weeks of consistent work
- The biting is accompanied by growling, stiffening, or guarding behaviour
- Your puppy is targeting one family member in particular
- You have young children in the house and the biting is causing distress
Our puppy training packages in Kidderminster and Worcestershire include biting as a standard topic, and most clients see a clear improvement within the first session.
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