After reading this article, you’ll probably never think of training advice the same way. Hopefully, you’ll see it through your puppy’s eyes. That’s when you’ll start to understand them and your puppy will stop biting.

Think about this for a moment. Right now, thousands of puppies are being taught by their owners to gently mouth their fingers and hands. That’s right, many are training their puppies to do something that they do not want them to do later on. How strange! And yet…that is the “normal” way that it is taught. Teach your puppy to mouth gently and then start telling them they are doing it too hard and then we teach them not to do it anymore and if they do, it’s the worst thing they could possibly do. Confusing? Sound complicated? Well, that’s because it is!

Keep in mind that you are not alone. Most puppy owners are taught to do this, and yet there is a much easier way.

Here are the steps:

  • Always provide your puppy with chew toys.
  • From the very beginning, encourage your puppy to leave your fingers and clothes alone.
  • When your puppy mouths you, then redirect them onto something else.
  • If they continue to mouth you, place them on the floor and give a little yelp noise to let them know that their sharp teeth hurt and move away.
  • If they still continue, take them quietly and place them into timeout for a minute.

Here’s a few things to remember:

  • When your puppy is only 8 weeks old, you should give them several chances if they do accidentally mouth you. It’s really around the 5th month that you must no longer tolerate any mouthing.
  • When you call your puppy, make certain that you have something in your hand to put in their mouth. If you don’t, you’re setting them up to fail. Humans give affection through our hands but puppies and dogs use their mouths so they need something to mouth when you are cuddling them.
  • When your puppy starts to mouth you, stay calm and place them on the floor. Don’t start beating your chest saying “No!” “No Bite” in your most superior voice. (Another very old school training technique). This will only get the puppy more excited and that’s the last thing you need.

Understanding your puppy is the key to developing an amazing relationship with him or her. When you’re able to see things through their eyes, you’ll start to see how your actions make them feel and they will stop biting you.

Here’s some more great tips to get your puppy to stop biting: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/stop-puppy-biting