How to Stop Puppy Biting: Everything You Need to Know
So, you've brought home a puppy, or what sometimes feels more like a piranha, and now you're wondering if you'll ever own a pair of pants without holes in them again. Between the bite marks on your arms, the chewed-up furniture, and the constant need to hide your shoelaces, puppy biting can be exhausting.
The good news? You're not alone, and more importantly, this behaviour is completely normal.
As a professional dog trainer, puppy biting is one of the most common concerns I hear from new puppy owners. The key is understanding why your puppy is biting in the first place. Once you know what's driving the behaviour, it becomes much easier to manage.
In this guide, I'll explain why puppies bite, what you can do to reduce it, and what to avoid so you can survive the land shark stage with your sanity (and your favourite sweater) intact.
Why Is My Puppy Biting Everything?
Unlike us, puppies don't have hands, which means they really only have one option when it comes to exploring the great big world: their mouths. Every new object, texture, smell, and person is something they investigate by mouthing.
Puppies also use their mouths to interact with us. They can't tap us on the shoulder or tug on our sleeve to ask for attention, so instead they nip, mouth, and chew.
On top of that, puppies go through a teething stage, become overtired just like toddlers, and are still learning how to regulate their emotions. All of these things contribute to what many owners lovingly refer to as the "land shark" phase.
The goal isn't to stop your puppy from ever using their mouth overnight. Instead, we want to teach them what is appropriate to chew while helping them grow through this completely normal stage of development.
Is Puppy Biting Normal?
Absolutely.
Nearly every puppy goes through a biting phase. While it can hurt and be quite frustrating, it doesn't mean your puppy is aggressive, dominant, or trying to challenge you. They're simply behaving like a puppy.
With patience, consistency, and appropriate outlets, most puppies improve dramatically as they mature.
How to Stop Puppy Biting
1. Make Sure Your Puppy Gets Enough Sleep
This is probably the biggest game changer that many owners overlook.
Most puppies need between 16 to 20 hours of sleep every day. That means they're actually awake for a surprisingly small portion of the day.
If your puppy suddenly becomes extra bitey, starts zooming around the house, or seems unable to settle, they may simply be overtired. Think of an overtired puppy like an overtired toddler. Everything becomes more exciting, their self-control disappears, and they're much more likely to make poor decisions.
If it's been a while since your puppy has rested, it may be time to encourage them to settle down for a nap in their crate, exercise pen, or another quiet sleeping space.
2. Give Them a Quiet Place to Rest
When it comes to sleep, quality matters just as much as quantity.
Even if your puppy appears to be sleeping under the coffee table or behind the couch, they may not be getting truly restful sleep if people are constantly walking by, talking, or moving around.
Having a quiet, comfortable place where they can nap without interruption helps them recharge and often reduces biting later in the day.
3. Offer Better Things to Chew
Puppies have an instinctive need to chew, so rather than constantly telling them what not to chew, give them plenty of appropriate alternatives.
One thing I encourage owners to think about is texture.
What does your puppy naturally enjoy chewing?
If they constantly target wooden furniture or baseboards, they may enjoy dog-safe coffee wood or Gorilla wood chews. I recommend purchasing these from a reputable pet retailer and, if possible, buying them in person so you can feel the chew yourself. When you scrape your fingernail across the surface, you should be able to remove small fibres or fine shavings. It shouldn't feel rock hard or impossible to dent. As with any chew, always supervise your puppy and replace it once it becomes small enough to swallow.
If your puppy loves grabbing socks, towels, or clothing, keep a few fabric toys tucked away and rotate them into play. Toys that aren't available all the time stay novel and exciting, making them much more appealing when your puppy is looking for something soft to chew.
Rubber toys like Kongs and West Paw Toppls are also fantastic options because they can be stuffed with food, frozen, and used repeatedly.
4. Help Soothe Sore Gums
Most puppies begin losing their baby teeth around 3 to 4 months of age, with their adult teeth usually finishing coming in by about 6 months. During this time, their gums can become sore and uncomfortable.
Cold items can provide wonderful relief.
One of my favourite budget-friendly enrichment ideas is to freeze your puppy's kibble with water in an ice cube tray. You can either serve the frozen cubes in a bowl at mealtime or place them inside a Kong or West Paw Toppl for your puppy to lick and chew.
Not only does this help soothe sore gums, but licking, chewing, sniffing, and foraging are all behaviours that many dogs naturally use to relax and regulate their arousal. These activities can help your puppy feel calmer while also giving them an appropriate outlet for their energy.
5. Redirect, Don't Punish
When your puppy bites your hands or clothing, try not to think of it as them being "bad."
Instead of yelling, grabbing their muzzle, or pushing them away, calmly pause the interaction and redirect them to an appropriate toy.
When they choose the toy instead of your sleeve or your hands, praise them and continue playing.
Over time, they'll begin to learn which things are acceptable to chew and which aren't.
Should I Yelp When My Puppy Bites Me?
You may have heard that you should yelp like another puppy whenever your puppy bites you.
While this works for some puppies, many become even more excited. To them, the squeal sounds like you've become the most entertaining squeaky toy they've ever met.
If you find that yelping makes your puppy bite harder or become more excited, skip it. Calmly stop the interaction, redirect them to an appropriate toy, or, if needed, end play for a short period by leaving the area for a minute or two before trying to play again. If it continues, it’s time for a nap (maybe for both of you).
What Should I Avoid?
When you're frustrated, it's easy to reach for advice that promises a quick fix. Unfortunately, many of those methods can damage your relationship with your puppy or create even bigger behaviour problems.
I do not recommend:
Hitting or tapping your puppy's nose
Holding their mouth shut
Alpha rolls or pinning them to the ground
Spraying them with water
Assuming they're trying to dominate you
Remember, your puppy isn't trying to be difficult. They're simply behaving like a puppy.
When Should I Be Concerned?
Normal puppy biting is playful, predictable, and gradually improves with time and appropriate management.
If your puppy's biting seems unusually intense, causes repeated puncture wounds without warning, involves guarding behaviour, or continues getting worse despite consistent training, it's worth reaching out to a qualified trainer or speaking with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying concerns.
Final Thoughts
Puppy biting can feel overwhelming, especially when you're living through it every day. But I promise, it doesn't last forever.
With plenty of sleep, appropriate things to chew, calming enrichment, and gentle guidance, most puppies grow out of this stage and develop excellent bite inhibition as they mature.
Above all, remember that your puppy isn't trying to make your life difficult. They're simply doing what puppies have evolved to do. They explore the world with their mouths, soothe sore gums, and learn how to interact with the people around them.
If you're in Calgary and feeling overwhelmed by your puppy's biting, remember that you don't have to figure it all out on your own. Professional puppy training can make a huge difference, and starting early often prevents bigger behaviour problems later on.