Puppy Training Journey #10 How to Stop a Puppy Biting and Nipping

Tackling Puppy Biting and Nipping: My Professional Approach to a Universal Challenge

As a professional dog behaviourist and trainer, I encounter puppy biting and nipping concerns more frequently than perhaps any other training issue with young dogs. In my video “How to Stop a Puppy Biting and Nipping”, I address what has become one of the most common complaints presented to me as a puppy trainer. This behaviour, whilst entirely natural for puppies, requires immediate and consistent intervention to prevent it from escalating into a serious problem.

Understanding the Universal Nature of Puppy Biting

Virtually every owner of a puppy faces this challenge at some point during their pet’s early development. What many people don’t realise is that puppy biting and nipping are completely normal behaviours—it’s how puppies explore their world and communicate with their littermates. However, what works in a litter doesn’t translate appropriately to human households.

In some cases, I’ve observed that a puppy’s biting and nipping behaviour can become hard and even aggressive if it isn’t curtailed within the first few weeks of ownership. This progression from playful mouthing to problematic biting is precisely why I emphasise early intervention in all my training programmes.

The Golden Rule: No Teeth on Skin or Clothing

Throughout my years of experience working with puppies, I’ve developed what I call the golden rule of puppy behaviour: no teeth on skin or clothing. This simple principle forms the foundation of everything I teach regarding appropriate puppy interaction. The act of chewing is completely normal for dogs—they need to learn what they can and cannot place their teeth on, but human skin and clothing must always be off-limits.

When I work with Ruby in the video, you can observe how I consistently apply this rule. Every time she attempts to mouth or bite, I immediately interrupt the behaviour and redirect her attention to appropriate items. This isn’t about punishment; it’s about clear, consistent communication regarding acceptable boundaries.

The Importance of Family Consistency

One of the most critical aspects of addressing puppy biting successfully is ensuring that every family member follows the same approach. I cannot stress enough how important it is for all household members to maintain consistency in their responses to biting behaviour. When some family members allow mouthing whilst others don’t, the puppy receives mixed messages that significantly slow the training process.

Children, in particular, need close supervision during interactions with puppies. Their natural tendency to play roughly or to react dramatically to puppy bites can actually encourage the behaviour we’re trying to eliminate.

My Systematic Approach to Redirection

The technique I demonstrate in my video centres around constant interruption and redirection. When Ruby attempts to bite or mouth inappropriately, I don’t simply tell her “no”—I immediately provide her with an appropriate alternative. This might be a chew toy, a rope, or any other item specifically designated for her use.

This approach requires patience and vigilance, particularly in the early stages. It’s not uncommon for me to find myself constantly interrupting this behaviour during the initial weeks of training. However, this intensive period of consistent redirection pays dividends in establishing long-term appropriate behaviour patterns.

Working with Individual Temperaments

What I find fascinating about puppy training is how each dog’s individual temperament affects the training process. Ruby, being a small, manageable dog that responds well to input, represents one end of the spectrum. Her size and temperament work in our favour, making the training process more straightforward.

However, I’ve worked with many puppies that are bigger and stronger-willed, requiring more robust responses. Every dog is an individual and should be treated as such. This is why I always emphasise the importance of adapting techniques to suit the specific puppy you’re working with.

The Two-Week Milestone with Ruby

At the time of filming this particular video, Ruby had been with me for exactly two weeks. This timing is significant because it demonstrates the realistic expectations owners should have regarding progress. Even with consistent, professional intervention, Ruby was still exhibiting some degree of mouthing behaviour, though I felt she was progressing well for this stage.

This real-world demonstration is crucial for new puppy owners to understand. The training process isn’t about achieving perfection overnight—it’s about consistent improvement and gradual reduction in inappropriate behaviour.

Preventing Escalation Through Early Intervention

My primary goal in addressing puppy biting is prevention of escalation. I’ve seen too many cases where owners have allowed biting behaviour to continue unchecked, hoping the puppy would simply “grow out of it.” Unfortunately, without proper intervention, puppies often grow into dogs with serious bite inhibition issues.

The techniques I demonstrate are designed to address the behaviour from the very beginning, preventing it from becoming a real problem that makes owners reluctant to engage with their puppy during pleasant interactions.

Practical Implementation in the Home Environment

One of the key messages I convey in my video is the importance of controlled play within the home environment. When puppies become overly excited or hyped up, they inevitably approach you with jaws open, not thinking clearly about appropriate behaviour. This is why I advocate for calm, controlled play sessions rather than allowing puppies to become overstimulated.

The home should be a place where proper behaviour is consistently reinforced. I recommend letting puppies release their energy in appropriate outdoor spaces—gardens or fields—rather than encouraging high-energy play indoors where space constraints can lead to inappropriate contact.

The Role of Appropriate Outlets

Throughout my training approach, I emphasise the importance of providing appropriate outlets for natural puppy behaviours. Chewing, mouthing, and play-fighting are all normal developmental activities that need to be channelled appropriately rather than suppressed entirely.

In my video, you can observe how I ensure Ruby has access to suitable chew toys and play items. The key is making these alternatives more appealing and readily available than inappropriate targets like hands, feet, or clothing.

Long-Term Success Through Patience and Persistence

The success of my approach lies in its emphasis on patience and persistence rather than quick fixes. Puppy biting issues cannot be resolved overnight, and owners must be prepared for a period of intensive, consistent intervention. However, the investment of time and effort during these crucial early weeks establishes the foundation for a lifetime of appropriate behaviour.

My work with Ruby demonstrates that even professional trainers must maintain constant vigilance during this critical period. The difference lies in approaching the challenge with the right techniques, realistic expectations, and unwavering consistency.