Dealing with puppy biting? Watch this to fix it! #dogtraining #puppytraining #dogbehaviourist, by RedMapleK9 on YouTube. 1 min 12 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 12 s
- Time to do it
- 5 to 10 minutes per session
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
React the second teeth touch your skin. Say "ouch" in a short, sharp, high tone and freeze. Puppies learn fastest when the fun stops at the exact moment of the bite.
Take your hands away and stand up or turn your back for 10 to 20 seconds. Do not push the puppy off with your hands, because that feels like more play.
Offer a chew toy straight away. When the puppy takes it, praise calmly and start gentle play again so the toy is the better option.
Keep play sessions to 2 to 5 minutes and stop before your puppy gets wild. Tired or overexcited puppies bite much harder and more often.
Use a short time-out if biting carries on. Lead your puppy to a quiet pen or behind a baby gate for 30 to 60 seconds, with no shouting or scolding.
Handle your puppy briefly every day. Touch paws, ears and collar for a few seconds, then give a treat, so hands near the body predict good things.
Check the daily routine. Make sure your puppy gets enough naps, meals on time and potty breaks, since hunger and tiredness drive most biting.
Ask everyone in the house to use the same words and the same rules. A puppy that is allowed to mouth one person will keep trying with everyone.
Tips and common mistakes
Never smack your puppy or hold its muzzle shut, as this makes biting worse and teaches fear of hands.
A yelp works for some puppies but winds others up, so switch to the silent turn-away if it excites yours.
Puppy biting usually peaks during teething and settles by around six months, when the adult teeth come through.
Praise and treat the calm moments, not just the bites, so your puppy learns what to do instead.
Questions
How long does puppy biting last?
Most puppies mouth less by four to five months and largely stop once adult teeth arrive at around six months. Consistent responses from everyone at home speed this up.
Should I yelp when my puppy bites?
A short, sharp "ouch" can work, but only if your puppy pauses. If the noise makes your puppy more excited, stay silent and simply end the play instead.
Is a time-out cruel?
No, a short 30 to 60 second break in a quiet, safe spot is not punishment. Keep it calm and brief, and let your puppy out as soon as it settles.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
