05/08/2025
🐾 Why Puppies Bite (and What You Can Do About It) - long post alert!
Puppy biting is completely normal - but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to live with! Understanding why it happens is the first step to helping your puppy learn better habits.
❓So... Why Do Puppies Bite?
🧠 They’re Exploring
Puppies don’t have hands, so they use their mouths to explore textures, temperatures, and even your reactions. It’s how they learn about their world.
🎮 It’s How They Play
In litters, puppies use their mouths to play, learn social skills, and test bite pressure. When they play with us, they often try the same thing - and it can be sharp!
🦷 Teething Hurts
Puppies have 28 baby teeth that start falling out around 12 weeks. They’re replaced by 42 adult teeth - the last molars often come through as late as 7–9 months, especially in larger breeds. Chewing helps soothe sore gums.
📣 It’s Communication
Over-tired, frustrated, or overstimulated puppies may bite more. Often, they’re telling us they need help winding down.
💛 It’s Not Personal
Biting isn’t “naughty” or “dominant” - it’s developmental and totally manageable with gentle, consistent redirection and support.
❓Do Some Breeds Bite More?
Yes - while all puppies bite, breed traits can influence how they bite.
🐕🦺 Gundogs (like Labradors and Spaniels) often enjoy carrying and mouthing objects, thanks to their retrieving instincts. As puppies, this can show up as more frequent mouthing or playful grabbing.
🐶 Terriers (like Jack Russells or Borders) tend to be persistent and driven - they may bite harder or hold on longer, especially when excited.
🐩 Companion breeds (like Cavapoos or Pugs) may prefer snuggling to grabbing, though they still need support through the biting phase.
Of course, every puppy is an individual - breed tendencies are just one piece of the puzzle.
🧸Force-Free Ways to Manage Biting
🕓 Be Proactive
One of the most effective ways to manage biting is to step in before it starts. Notice when your puppy is most likely to become nippy - for many, this happens after a walk, in the evening, or when they’re over-tired or under-stimulated.
Have chews, toys, or calm activities ready in advance so you’re not caught off guard. Keep a favourite chew or tug toy nearby for redirection, and prepare food-based enrichment like a snuffle mat or frozen Kong when you know tricky times are approaching. By recognising your puppy’s patterns and planning ahead, you’ll prevent a lot of frustration (for both of you!) and set them up for success.
👗 Watch the Clothing!
Flowing and flappy clothes like dressing gowns, scarves, baggy sleeves, or trailing shoelaces are irresistible to many puppies - especially when they’re moving. Chasing and grabbing fabric is a common game for bitey pups. If possible, avoid wearing flappy items when your puppy is in a playful or excitable mood.
If your puppy latches onto your trousers or dressing gown and won’t let go, try to stay still and avoid turning it into a tug. Instead of pulling away, calmly redirect with a special toy or treat to encourage them to release. A soft tug toy kept nearby can be offered as a more appropriate outlet - but play with them, don’t just hand them the toy. Keeping tug toys within reach and rewarding them for switching helps teach better habits over time
🔁 Redirect Calmly
Offer a chew or toy when biting starts. Use a variety of textures - some pups prefer soft, others firm, most need a selection.
Keep a “redirection toy” out of sight but within easy reach for those grabby moments.
📦 Have 'Tools' Ready
Frozen Kongs, LickiMats, cardboard boxes, puzzle toys, snuffle mats, whole carrots, cabbage heart, swede and natural chews all give your puppy a legal outlet so you can be ready before biting starts. (always supervise chewing)
🧘 Be Calm and Consistent
Avoid shouting, yelping, or saying “ow” - this can wind some puppies up even more. Instead, calmly pause the interaction. You might gently stand up and walk away for a moment, or redirect your puppy to a suitable toy or chew.
If the biting continues or your puppy is getting more excitable, you can use a baby gate or pen to give both of you a short breather - but only if your puppy has something calming to do, like chewing on a safe item, shredding cardboard, or working on a food puzzle. This isn’t a punishment, it's a way to reset the situation and help your puppy settle.
😴 Prioritise Rest
Over-tired pups bite more. Puppies need lots of sleep - up to 18–20 hours a day. Build quiet time between activities.
👶 Step In With Children
Young children often trigger biting with their movement and excitement. Step in early, redirect the pup, and don’t expect children to handle it alone.
🔄 Use Routine and Enrichment
Puppies bite more when they’re under-stimulated, over-stimulated, or just plain bored.
✅ Use food toys, sniffy walks, training games, and chew time daily.
✅ Keep your puppy’s day predictable with plenty of naps and short bursts of activity.
🧠 Mental Stimulation Helps
Short training sessions, foraging, and problem-solving games reduce frustration and build focus.
😔When Biting Feels Like a Bigger Problem
If your puppy’s biting:
👉Feels constant or very hard
👉Continues well past teething
👉Happens during calm times or when handled gently
…it might signal underlying frustration, arousal, anxiety, or even fear. That’s where professional support can help.
Common Myths About Puppy Biting
❌ “They’ll grow out of it.”
Some do - but most need guidance.
❌ “Punishment teaches them not to do it.”
Actually, it can make things worse. Harsh corrections may lead to fear, avoidance, or defensive behaviour. Force-free training builds trust and understanding.
📋In Summary
Puppy biting is normal, natural, and temporary.
With calm handling, structured days, and the right outlets, you can teach your puppy what’s okay to bite - and what’s not.
📩 Need help with a bitey pup?
Drop me a line at [email protected] - I’m here to help.
