Puppy Biting: How to Stop a Puppy from Biting?

Due to many reasons, adult and small dogs often bite their owners on the arms and legs. It should be understood that dogs in packs constantly communicate this way. In the process of such communication, puppies’ socialization takes place, and they learn to understand who is the leader of the pack. A small puppy will not immediately understand how to behave, so he must be taught through training and demonstrating his authority.

Why is puppy biting?

Puppies can bite and gnaw on a variety of things. Sometimes, a puppy that has played too much can chew on more than one pair of shoes…but why? You need to correctly determine the cause so as not to harm your pet.

Puppies, like other animals, cannot vocally communicate with their owners about anything. One of the reasons for biting may be an attempt by a puppy to express his emotions, indignation, pain, or something else.

Puppies may also chew and bite on various objects due to teething, and this is a normal and temporary process of growing up a dog. Also, puppies get acquainted with the outside world by biting different objects to understand what it is and whether it can be chewed—treating this with understanding and offering the puppy a chew toy.

READ MORE: Is BarkBox Super Chewer The Toughest, Most Durable Dog Toy?

Sometimes, puppy games can go beyond what is permitted, and in the process of vigorous play, a puppy may accidentally bite the hand or foot of the owner. However, this bite is not malicious, and this is important to understand. If the puppy feels that their owner is in danger, it might bite the owner’s clothes and pull or push away, as if avoiding danger. Nevertheless, it is not recommended to scold or yell at the pet if it bit you. Such actions may lead to the pet biting you in protest at some of your actions.

It should be noted that not only can puppies bite, but also adult dogs, who may be having issues with their gums or something is stuck between their teeth and it is trying to pull it out. Also, the dog may bite or chew on objects because it has inflammation or a disease of the teeth or jaw.

When do puppies start nipping?

Often, puppies begin to chew and bite objects as soon as their teeth begin coming through the gums (at about 20-30 days old), and puppies explore the world around them. At this young age, they have yet to be very active and cannot deliver tangible inconvenience to the owner.

When the puppy reaches the age of 3-7 months, the first teeth begin to fall out, and the front incisors grow to replace them; then, the canines and the root molars grow. By the age of 8-9 months, the process of teeth regrowth should be done, and the dog will have a set of healthy teeth. During the period of a puppy’s teeth regrowth, it is recommended to inspect its oral cavity.

It is essential to understand that during the puppy’s acquaintance with the outside world, he will sniff and lick objects. When he does not understand that this object is not edible, the dog will check the object for strength with the help of its fangs. Thus, personal things, including expensive ones, are unlikely to remain in good condition.

Therefore, every puppy owner should be prepared for the fact that his/her new pet will chew and bite objects. It is important to provide the dog with a competent alternative so that it can maintain personal belongings, furniture, or other necessary items. ^[1]

RELATED: Why Dogs Nipping When Excited?

Advice on Stopping Puppy Biting

Once the cause of the biting is determined, the owner can offer their pet an alternative by purchasing one or more dog chew toys. In this way, the dog will be able to satisfy its needs for chewing and biting and not damage the owner’s furniture and objects.

Long walks and outdoor workouts will help your four-legged friend play enough and not gnaw on furniture and household items. Mental stimulation will also have a positive effect on the dog’s behavior. Expending energy during outdoor play, the pet will become tired, and upon arrival home, it will not have the strength and desire to gnaw and chew on any objects or furniture.

If a puppy bites your arms or legs at a young age, you can show it that you are hurt by a characteristic emotion. Puppies do not understand speech but can quite well infer the emotions of their owners. And if a puppy bites you, you need to show it that such actions hurt you; in this case, you can stop playing with it. You can also give it a chew toy and pet it to show that chewing the object is appropriate. The pet may not immediately understand, but, after two or three times, it will understand what its owner wants.

A chew toy can be made from various materials, such as food-grade rubber, fabric, leather, nylon or a combination of these materials. Natural chew toys are also helpful; for example, chewing bone, rawhide and sinew serve as a delicacy and supplementary diet for a growing puppy. Thus, the dog will be able to chew and nip on the toy and have a tasty snack at the same time.

If the pet, nevertheless, grabs an object with its teeth and begins to bite it, it is necessary to take this thing away from it, give it a chew toy and then a treat. Thus, there will be positive reinforcement. In order for the puppy to chew toys more actively and to quickly understand what things to chew on and what not, emotional reinforcement is also needed in the form of playing with the pet with its new toys.

If an adult dog bites and chews objects not intended for this, it is necessary to examine the dog’s oral cavity. If you find inflammation or food/small bones stuck in its teeth, remove them yourself or seek help from a veterinarian, so you can ensure that the dog does not have problems with the health of the oral cavity.

Chewing toys for dogs will help your pet comfortably survive the period of tooth growth. A well-chosen chew toy will help the dog’s body, improve blood circulation in the jaw and massage the gums; as a result, the dog will grow healthy and strong teeth. ^[2]

Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy

Your dog will not be able to ignore this toy, which has an unusual shape: not one bone, but almost three. The dog will also be able to enjoy the taste of bacon. In addition, the product gently massages the gums and growing teeth and prevents the formation of plaque and tartar. It should be understood that any toy can break down over time, especially if your pet likes to intensely gnaw. Always take care of your dog when it is having fun, and don’t let it play with broken or damaged toys.

• Ergonomically designed, so your dog will feel comfortable holding it in its mouth
• Helps satisfy your puppy’s urge to bite, promotes relaxation, and discourages chewing on furniture or shoes
• Made in the USA, including all packaging, tools, and sources of materials and ingredients

Nylabone Power Chew Textured Ring Flavor Medley Dog Chew Toy

The Nylabone chew toy helps your puppy satisfy its natural urge to chew and bite and effectively helps to reduce plaque and prevent the formation of tartar. Ideal for puppies who are teething and growing, this toy is made of durable nylon with fragrance.

With this toy, you can offer your dog flavors it likes without the extra calories in its diet. Nylabone gummies are veterinarian recommended and made from natural rubber, ideal for dogs that like to bite actively. These chew toys are available in a variety of mouth-watering flavors – cheeseburger, meatloaf with sauce and pepperoni pizza – that are sure to please your dog and keep it busy chewing for hours. A textured design with ridges and scallops helps your four-legged puppy clean teeth while biting and chewing.

• Raised edges of the toy help clean your pet’s teeth of plaque and also reduce the formation of tartar.
• Made from durable natural nylon – perfect for everyday chewing.
• Helps fight boredom and encourages your pet to chew on certain items designed for this purpose, so you can keep your shoes and furniture free of teeth marks.
• Recommended by veterinarians so that pet owners can feel confident giving this toy to a young, four-legged family member.

KONG Ring Dog Toy

The composition of the rubber guarantees the toy’s durability. Made from high-quality natural rubber, this toy can withstand even the most intense biting. It helps improve the health of teeth and gums and stops puppy biting.

• Designed to promote positive play and encourage your puppy to chew on certain things from an early age, dissuading destructive chewing
• Great way to have fun with your four-legged friend – toss it, and your puppy will try to catch it
• Housing ridges help clean teeth and reduce plaque and prevent tartar buildup, promoting healthy teeth and gums

JW Pet Chompion Dog Toy

This toy is good for pet’s self-play and meets the natural need for biting and chewing. It is a stop bite inhibition. The surface of the toy is covered with soft spikes that pleasantly massage the gums and teeth of the dog during long chewing. Suitable for puppies who are teething, it helps keep your dog’s attention on something other than your furniture or shoes.

• The unique design makes it easy to toss the toy; perfect for rolling, throwing, and carrying in puppy teeth.
• Durable and promotes healthy teeth and gums in a growing puppy.
• Infused with vanilla extract, which emits a delicious aroma.

Nylabone Power Chew Pretzel Bacon & Peanut Butter Flavor Dog Chew Toy

Satisfy your pet’s natural chewing instinct with this tasty, original Nylabone toy. To attract the attention of the dog, the manufacturer nourished this toy with the natural flavors of bacon and peanut butter, which do not disappear over time, making the dog play with it again and again.

• Delicious, pretzel-shaped chew keeps your four-legged friend busy and promotes healthy chewing.
• Made from durable nylon, designed with powerful jaws in mind.
• Salty, which helps clean your pet’s teeth while chewing and stops bite inhibition.

What NOT to do When Your Puppy Bites You?

If your puppy nips you or chews on your things, it is not recommended to punish it, slap it or scream. Seeing your violent reaction may frighten the puppy. Also, such actions can have a negative impact on the mental health of your pet, which can later lead to further issues.

Also, due to the negative reinforcement of such biting behavior, the dog can become angry and show similar aggression toward others. In this case, only specialists in correcting the behavior of dogs will help.

If you tolerate dog bites, or simply put your hands behind your back, the puppy nipping
will continue. It is necessary to indicate to the dog that such actions are undesirable and cause you pain and discomfort.

If an adult dog is biting your hands, you may need the help of a behavioral dog specialist, since it is more difficult to wean an adult dog on your own. Raising a puppy and weaning him to bite objects and people is necessary from an early age. At puppyhood, the dog will better understand what is good and what cannot be done, and it will form the correct obedient character.

Is Puppy’s Biting a Sign of Aggression?

It often happens that puppies bite because of dissatisfaction with something. Such a reason may be a long absence of good walking, or a lack of rewards. Thus, the dog may show that it is not interested in the activities you suggested. It is important for the dog to have regular walking, exercise, long games, or training. Adding a new chew toy can help spice up your dog’s leisure time. The abundance of toys will not have a negative impact on the biting behavior of a four-legged pet (on the contrary). Edible toys for chewing will even stimulate the desire to gnaw on things intended for this.

READ MORE: What to Do If Your Dog Bites Someone?

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Article Sources:

1. “Mouthing, Nipping and Biting in Puppies.” ASPCA, aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/mouthing-nipping-and-biting-puppies/.
2. “How to Stop Puppy Biting and Train Bite Inhibition” AKC, akc.org/expert-advice/training/stop-puppy-biting/.