How can I get my puppy to stop biting?

Question

I have a 13 week old male boston terrier puppy named Peanut. He's adorable, but sometimes he gets over excited when playing and gets a little rough. He bites sometimes, and he's not doing it to be mean... He just seems to think it's part of playing. He tries to chew on us like we're big toys! He will also bite our ankles when we try to walk from one room to another.

I don't know how to get him to stop! We try to remain calm, as it just makes him more excited when we react to him, but it is difficult when his little razor-sharp teeth are piercing our skin. He is such an enjoyable pet when he isn't biting us. Please give me tips on how to train him to stop this behavior!!

Answer 1

No matter how cute your new puppy may be, if he or she is chewing and biting on you, your family members and guests – he or she probably doesn’t seem quite as cute. In fact, if the pup’s chewing and biting habits are not controlled, he or she might actually hurt someone, or destroy the contents of your home. Training is necessary to teach some puppies appropriate chewing and biting behaviors.

1. First, you have to understand that many puppies that have a biting problem were taken from their mother too soon. The mother dog and litter mates have a way of teaching each other when the chewing and biting have gone too far.

When those sharp, little teeth start coming in and the pup nips the mother dog, she will usually leave the area. This makes the pup question his actions. When the pup bites litter mates too hard, it is usually met with a loud yelp that startles the biting pup. If the pup continues his wicked ways, the other pups will usually nip him harder. It is a lesson he or she does not forget.

2. Second, you should purchase chew toys for your puppy. Buy something that is mentally challenging to the pup. If it is not, he or she may prefer to bite on your nose or the chair legs in your dining room.

Many pet owners who have problems with their puppy’s chewing and biting habits purchase chew toys that have a treat inside of them. A dog’s sense of smell will keep him or her chewing on the toy all afternoon to reach the yummy treat inside. Once the dog understands that there are no benefits to biting on you, he or she will start looking for favored chew toys.

3. Third, when the pup bites you, handle it like his or her litter mates or mother would. Make a noise that tells the pup that you are hurt. Even if the puppy is only chewing on your shoe strings or pajama bottoms, open up your mouth and let out a loud yelp. If that doesn’t teach the puppy that he or she shouldn’t bite and nip, leave the room just like the mother dog would. If the puppy simply follows you through the house biting at your heels, let out a yelp and then place him or her in a crate. Do not hold a grudge and keep the puppy locked up too long. A simple timeout will work. Never take the offending puppy out of the crate if he or she is whining. Wait until he or she is quiet.

If you follow these tips, you should be well on your way to having a puppy that doesn’t chew, nibble or bite on you.

Answer 2

You need to establish your dominance. As a pack animal, a dog will try to challenge you. With a pup, flick him with your finger on his nose when he bites you. Do not except this from him. You need to be the alpha in his world, and starting from a pup will help.
If he continues, grab him gently by the kneck and make him roll over, while holding the bottom of his kneck. (Throat) Keep holding until he stops struggling, therefore submitting to you. It is not being mean, it is just showing him that you are the boss, and he will respect you and be a better dog for it.
He will probably try a few more times, but show your disaproval of such behavior and when he does good, praise him!
All he is doing is looking for a reaction from you, give him plenty of toys and love. Good luck!

Answer 3

He is a puppy-he is teething. He will outgrow it. Meanwhile, please give him as many "chew toys" etc. as possible. Have a couple in various rooms at all times (or try to). For ankle biting, I would request a simple strong "No!" or a spray bottle full of water to spray at him when he does the ankle biting. Enjoy him! Take care.

Answer 4

Dogs don't understand English, so you can't tell them not to do it using words. They aren't nipping because they want to be pack leader, so asserting dominance won't help either.

They DO need to chew, so you need to provide 'legal' chew toys and teach them the difference between you, your furniture and chew toys.

This is best achieved by interrupting with a loud clap, then giving them something legal to chew. Full instructions are below.

Answer 5

Grab his nose and say "NO BITE" when he bites at you. When he runs after your ankles just nudge him a little and say "NO." You have to sound firm and kind of mean when you speak so he knows that what he is doing is bad. I know the feeling I have been raised with puppies forever.

Answer 6

When your dog bites you smack him on the nose and firmly say no. Don't hit him too hard though. Eventually you will get to the point where you can just say no firmly because he will know that is a negative response to his actions, and all your doggie wants to do is please you....You could also get him a chew toy to put his energy into something else.

Answer 7

I know what your going through with those little needle teeth. Try a deep loud NO, or shove a toy in his mouth whenever he goes to bite or blow on his face when he tries to bite.

Answer 8

Get some bitter apple spray and spray it on your ankles and hands. keep it handy in case you need to reapply it. i also wipe some in the mouth with my finger so they get a taste of whats coming if they bite.

Answer 9

don't hit him hes teething but it is still important that you teach him that its not OK...if he does it and you keep petting him then he will think its OK...you have to hold his snout and firmly say NO!
orr....curl up his lip into his mouth by his teeth (it sounds mean but you are supposed to do this if the snout thing doesnt work) good luck with the little munchkin

Answer 10

i had the same problem.My kids would complain that our dog keeps biting them all the time and we have german shepperd.I'd get close to the dog but not on the eye level.Yuo have to be higher than the dog.Litely smack him on the snout and in a stern voice say"no".do it a few times.Other times i'd start scratching behind its ear.That calms the dog down.See if it works.good luck