What to do when your puppy bites
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, much like human hands. To manage puppy biting, we need to teach them appropriate behaviours. Around 11 weeks old, teething can cause extra discomfort, leading to increased biting.
Calming a stressed puppy
Puppies often bite more in the afternoon due to accumulated stress, not just teething. Trying to discipline a stressed puppy is ineffective. Focus on calming them with a chew toy or massage. Ensure your puppy gets plenty of rest during the day to prevent stress.
How to play with your puppy
A dog's behaviour often mirrors our own. If we're rough, they can be too. Remember, a dog's mouth serves the same function as human hands. Always associate your hands with gentle petting and handling. If you use your hands to play and let your puppy nip, they might learn it's okay to chew on them. To reduce biting, always involve a toy in play. This teaches them to bite toys, not people.
Bite inhibition tips
If your puppy continues to bite your hands, even when rested, not stressed, and playing with toys, it's time for bite inhibition. This is a natural process learned from their mother and siblings. It involves clearly communicating discomfort when their biting hurts. There's a difference between a gentle mouthing and a painful bite. Gentle mouthing can be seen as them wanting to hold your hand.
What to do
If your puppy bites your hand hard enough to hurt, let out a high-pitched yelp. Crucially, don't sound angry, as this can frighten them and confuse the message that they've hurt you.
Your puppy will likely let go after the yelp. Calmly withdraw your hands, avoiding a quick snatch which might trigger a chasing or biting response.
If these steps don't help, stress might still be a factor. Continue practising calming techniques. If biting persists, remove yourself from the situation to show you don't appreciate harsh nips. Never use social isolation or leaving them alone as punishment. If they approach you again later, redirect their energy with a toy or chew.
