The dogs nose, knows best - How to Stop Puppy Biting: Trainer Tips That Work

How to Stop Puppy Biting

Intro

Have you recently got a puppy and suddenly been hit with the Tasmanian devil stage? If so, you’re not alone. As a trainer who has raised a number of puppies, I want to share some advice and practical tips to help you through this stage.

This can be a really tough part of puppyhood, but it’s also one of the most important stages in helping your puppy grow into a confident, resilient adult dog. When puppies mouth and bite, it can feel frustrating but it’s completely natural. Our job is to guide them through this stage with patience, boundaries, and understanding.

When I got my latest puppy, Euca, an Australian Kelpie, she was a highly strung little character who really struggled with her teething stage. She got easily frustrated and it often turned into chewing or ragging on clothes. I still have a hole in my carpet where she managed to beat me!

I found some great tricks that helped her cope. Freezable teething toys worked wonders to soothe her gums, and giving her small pieces of chilled veg like carrot or cucumber brought real relief.

Below, I’ll go through the different reasons puppies bite and how you can help your puppy through this stage of their development.

Why do puppies bite?

Puppies bite and mouth for lots of reasons, and most of them are completely normal. This stage is about exploration, they learn about the world using their mouths. But while we want to give them the freedom to explore, they also need to learn what’s okay and what’s not.

Some of the most common reasons puppies bite include:

• Exploration and play – Puppies use their mouths to learn and interact, especially during play.

• Overstimulation or tiredness – When puppies get overtired or frustrated, they can become snappy or mouthy.

• Teething – Usually starting around 3 months, this stage can be uncomfortable and cause biting.

• Fear or uncertainty – Puppies may bite when they’re scared or unsure of a situation. In these cases, it’s important to support them and help build their confidence rather than punish them.

How do you discipline a puppy who is biting?

Discipline isn’t about punishment. Every puppy learns differently, but the key is always to create a positive and safe learning environment. Scolding or shouting at your puppy can harm your relationship and make them more anxious.

Instead, focus on teaching them what to do rather than just what not to do.

Ask yourself:

• What does this behaviour mean to my puppy?

• If I don’t want them to do this, what do I want them to do instead?

  
  

This mindset shift helps your puppy learn faster and builds trust between you.

Ways to stop puppy biting

For teething

Teething can be uncomfortable and cause an itchy feeling in your puppy’s gums. Naturally, they’ll look for something to chew, often your hands or feet!

Help soothe their gums by offering:

• Chew toys and teething aids – Choose toys designed for teething, or even better, try freezable options to relieve sore gums.

• Healthy frozen snacks – Carrots or cucumber pieces are great natural teething soothers.

• Tug toys – Redirect that urge to bite your hands with interactive play. You can check out my favourite tug toys from Tug-E-Nuff.

For fear or anxiety

If your puppy’s biting is linked to fear, identify what’s worrying them and reduce exposure to that trigger. Distance is your best friend in these situations.

Remember:

• Comforting a scared puppy doesn’t reinforce fear.

• Gentle reassurance and positive experiences build confidence.

• If the fear seems deep-rooted, it’s best to seek professional support early.

  
  

For other behaviours

A few quick checks can make a huge difference:

• Are they tired? Puppies need plenty of quality sleep.

• Do they have suitable chews and toys? Giving them appropriate outlets helps prevent unwanted chewing.

• Are they mentally stimulated? Use games and training sessions to give them positive outlets for their energy.

  
  

If you’re struggling to get on top of biting, you can book a 1-2-1 puppy session where we can tailor the training to your puppy’s needs.

When do puppies stop teething?

This varies from puppy to puppy, but most have their full set of adult teeth by around 6 months old. Once teething settles, you’ll usually notice a big drop in mouthing and biting behaviour.

At what age do puppies stop biting?

Every puppy is different, but you should start to see improvement as they move through the teething stage and learn better impulse control. The key is consistency, discourage biting or mouthing on skin, and give them appropriate things to chew instead.

My puppy keeps biting me aggressively…

It can feel worrying when your puppy starts growling or snapping, but in most cases, it’s frustration, not aggression. Puppies get overtired easily and can become cranky when they need sleep.

Make sure they get:

• Enough rest during the day

• Quiet time away from stimulation

• A safe place to nap, such as a pen or crate they feel comfortable in

If you’re unsure whether your puppy’s behaviour is normal or it feels like more than just frustration, I offer in-person and virtual support to help guide you through it.

How do I get my puppy to stop biting my hands and feet?

This is a great opportunity to ask: If I don’t want them to bite my hands or feet, what do I want them to play with instead?

Encourage your puppy to play with toys instead of you. Make the toys fun and interactive so your puppy naturally chooses them over your limbs.

You can find some great tug toys that make this easy at Tug-E-Nuff.

Does yelping stop puppy biting?

The simple answer is no. While yelping might make your puppy pause, it can also damage your relationship and make them wary of you. Puppies are learning so much at this stage, and if they become worried by your reactions, it can create lasting issues with trust and confidence.

Instead, calmly redirect their energy into something positive.

Need more puppy help?

If you’d like extra support during this stage:

• Join one of my puppy classes to build confidence and good habits early.

• Book a 1-2-1 session for tailored support.

• Subscribe to my puppy advice newsletter for regular training tips and updates.