How to keep teething puppy from biting?

Question

We have an adorable 10 1/2 week old puppy. He's a big boy -- around 30 (35?) pounds and will eventually grow to around 110 or 115. He's also teething and likes to nip or bite us (his poor owners) although he's quite good with company and strangers. I'm sure it's just a puppy's way of playing, but he's getting big enough that these play bites really hurt. We have consistently told him "no", in increasingly loud voices, with no effect. We've tried pushing the puppy away, and we've tried walking into another room and ignoring the puppy. No effect. Help.

P.S., He has two Kong toys, a nylabone, a kong "floss" rope, three stuffed animals, and a few other toys. I think this qualifies as a lot of toys, but maybe not? As an example, this morning, he was playing with the Kong floss rope when he suddenly dropped it and bit my foot.

Answer 1

When puppies play with each other they use their mouths. You will need to teach them that biting is not acceptable behavior. The best way to do this is by telling then "No bite" and giving them a toy or something it is ok for them to chew on. If this doesn't work, you can try tapping them on the nose or closing their mouth while still telling them "No Bite". If your puppy is teething, he will have the urge to chew. It does sound like you have a lot of toys, which is good. There are also puppy teething toys you can get that go in the freezer... this will feel good on their gums when they chew on it.

Just keep it up and your puppy will learn!

Answer 2

Something I have done with many puppies who bite when they are playing is to hold on to the lower jaw when ever they try to bite. NOT hard, you just want it to be uncomfortable, not painful. When the pup shows that it really doesn't like the feeling of your hand wrapped around the lower jaw, let it go, and stop playing with it for a while. If you are persistent, the pup will get the idea fairly quickly, and decide that biting is no fun. As to the growling and lungeing, if you believe that the pup is being aggressive, and not just over excited, quickly turn it over onto it's back, and hold it there until it submits(stops fighting). You can growl at it like another dog would. It does seem to be more effective if you do. This is how older dogs teach younger ones their manners. It will very quickly put you in top dog position in your house, and your dog will almost never need a reminder if it learns this lesson now. All that and no pain. Just think of a wolfpack with pups. It's all in how you show your dominance.

Answer 3

I've been having the same problem with our 5-month-old sheltie. He'll only bite me, not my husband. In our case it's a dominance issue. I've been taking him to some obedience training recently, and he's extremely stubborn, but I'm starting to get through to him (it took a muzzle last week, but we're getting there). The best way I've found to stop the biting is (as mentioned above) to hold both jaws and pull the lips under his teeth (then say a very firm NO). As he continues to try biting he realizes it hurts and starts to whimper- at that point I let go and he understands not mess with me for awhile. Of course, he starts back up later, but after a few times he started to learn what happens, and he's started to back off. I make sure to give him every indication not to bite before pulling this one out, but it really seems to be the only way he'll learn. Believe me, I've tried everything else and nothing else works (for my dog- it is definitely a case-by-case thing though and depends on how stubborn the dog is).

Since your dog is still so young, you should try some of these other methods first- this one is only as a last resort, because you shouldn't hurt them unless it's necessary. Also, I'm pretty sure puppies don't start teething until they're about 4 months old, so I doubt that's the problem. That's just how puppies know to play- their mouths and noses are how they get to know the world so it's natural for them. Be patient and he'll get it eventually.

The only other thing I can tell you is make sure he gets enough excersize! A dog with too much energy gets into trouble, and that could be part of the problem. With the weather getting nicer and walks getting more frequent for us, it's really helped out.

Good luck! I hope this helps!

Answer 4

Hi!.. We also had this problem with a bull mastiff we got around a year and 1/2 ago.. There is actually a product at Petco or Petsmart (or any other large pet store that may be in your area) that targets puppies or dogs for breaking the habit of biting. We had no other choice, so we purchased it with the recommendation of an employee. It worked for us. : ) Another thing that we did was be consistent with the rules of breaking that habit. We always said "No biting!" in a very stern voice and popped him on the nose ever so slightly : ). The Vet told us consistency was the key. It took about 3 weeks and now he only bites when we rough house him. I hope this can work for you. I can't remember the name of the product, but I am sure an employee can point you in the right direction.

Answer 5

When your puppy tries to bite or nip at you, cry out as if it hurt you a lot and tell him NO in a stern voice. Then redirect his attention to a chew toy or other toy. You just need to be consistent.

When our puppy also was very insistent about playing and not listening I also worked on the settle command. Grasp your puppy into what looks like a football hold and while holding him firmly tell him SETTLE. When he is calm and not struggling to get out, tell him good and you can release him. If he still continues to bite or nip, do it again. Remember you are holding him firmly but not hurting him. You should never do anything that hurts your dog.

Our puppy is now 11 months old and if he starts to play a little too rough we just tell him to settle and he stops and waits for our lead on how we want to play. It works really well once they learn it.

You need to get him to listen to you now because if you wait too long he will be 100 pounds and you won't be able to hold him because he'll be stronger than you.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I would start training the puppy to sit. He isn't too young to learn some VERY basic comands. When he starts biting, get a toy. Ask him to sit, then insert the toy in his mouth. When he bites that, give him lots of praise. I like this better than just redirecting, because if you just put the toy in his mouth when he bites, you are rewarding the bite behavior. Also, when he bits, say ouch in a high pitched voice. Make it as close to a yelp as you can. Do this every time the teeth touch your skin. He'll think you're a whimp, but he should get the picture. good luck.

Answer 7

Just saying "no" doesn't help. I know this might seem mean but have you tried biting back? My dog would always bite people when she was a puppy and she had all the toys her little self could desire but she would still bite so one day I bit her back and she hasn't bit anybody since unless you get her riled up and she knows you're playing and then she only play-bites so she doesn't hurt you. Or if you don't want to bite, I would suggest screaming out in pain even if it doesn't hurt that bad so he will get the idea that he's hurting you and whoever else he bites. Good luck!

Answer 8

Don't ignore him, he won't understand.

When he bites, and it hurts, go ahead and make the appropriate "OUCH!" gestures. Cry out, pull your hand back, pull away from puppy, and say ow. Dogs generally are quite good at picking up when something hurts or makes you upset, and don't like it.
Right after, look him right in the eye and say "No, no, no!" Don't yell, but make it firm.

Then cuddle him up and make friends, and divert to another activity. Either give him something he likes chewing that is okay, or play a different game that doesn't involve his mouth near your hands.

He's not nipping because he's teething...teething will make him want to steadily chew something that feels good, but not nip. Most likely the biting is entirely playful, either in the heat of the game or to get your attention, and he doesn't realize it hurts you or that it's not appropriate. He'll grow out of it later, and also, most dogs come to learn your limits on how hard they can mouth you and what hurts you. When he's older, he'll know how to get your attention and play in a better way, but probably not for a year or so, at least.

Answer 9

With a puppy, NO is your best word. A NO that shows you mean it (firm, loud) is the best. If the pup was with other dogs, he would get a loud bark and maybe his mom would come and grab him by the scruff. You could try that as well. But above all do a NO then stick a chew toy in his mouth. Hes likely nipping bc his teeth hurt and by givinghim a good nylabone right at the moment he starts biting you're showing him whats okay and what isn't. Keep it up... with a pup consistency is key.

Answer 10

I'm having the exact same problem! I posted a question on here also and tried all the answers but nothing has worked. He doesn't bite anyone else except me! And if he does bite them and they tell him no he stops. He won't stop when I tell him no though. I've tried ignoring him, closing his mouth, giving him toys, everything. He's just not getting it! It's frustrating. good luck!