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Deni D.

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Founder & CEO

Puppies explore the world with their mouths, which often translates into playful biting behaviour. While this behaviour is natural, it's essential to teach your puppy appropriate bite inhibition to prevent potential problems as they grow.

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Our Top 10 Tips for preventing puppy biting

Redirecting Attention: When your puppy starts to nip or bite, redirect their attention to a chew toy or interactive puzzle toy. Encourage them to chew on the toy instead of your hands or clothing.

Consistent Correction: Use a firm but gentle "No" or "Ouch" to communicate that biting is unacceptable. Avoid harsh punishments or yelling, as this can frighten or confuse your puppy.

Socialisation: Provide ample opportunities for your puppy to interact with other dogs and puppies in a controlled environment. Socialisation helps them learn appropriate play behaviours and bite inhibition from their canine peers.

Puppy Classes: Enrol your puppy in a puppy socialisation class or obedience training program. These classes provide structured guidance on teaching bite inhibition and other essential behaviours in a supervised setting.

Positive Reinforcement: Reward your puppy for gentle, non-biting behaviour with praise, treats, or playtime. Positive reinforcement encourages them to repeat desirable behaviours and reinforces the idea that gentle play is rewarding.

Avoid Rough Play: Refrain from engaging in rough play or wrestling with your puppy, as this can inadvertently encourage biting behaviour. Instead, focus on interactive games and activities that promote calm and controlled play.

Provide Plenty of Exercise: Ensure your puppy gets regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and excess energy, which can contribute to biting behaviour. Interactive play sessions and daily walks can help burn off energy and keep your puppy engaged.

Professional Help: Seek professional pest control if over-the-counter treatments are ineffective in severe infestations.

Teething Relief: Offer your puppy safe and appropriate teething toys to soothe their gums during the teething phase. Frozen washcloths or rubber toys can provide relief and discourage them from seeking out inappropriate items to chew on.

Be Patient and Consistent: Remember that puppy biting is a normal part of their development, and it takes time for them to learn appropriate behaviour. Stay patient, consistent, and positive in your training approach, and celebrate progress along the way.

From the experts: Focus on teaching your puppy bite inhibition, which involves helping them learn to control the force of their bite. When your puppy bites too hard during play, yelp or say "ouch" in a high-pitched voice to mimic the reaction of another puppy. This signals to your puppy that their bite was too rough, and they may adjust their behaviour accordingly over time.

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