How to Train a Puppy About Biting

Mouthing and biting are common, normal behaviors for puppies. Puppies explore their world by trying things out in their mouth. They also bite and mouth when they play with each other. However, you must teach a puppy what is appropriate to bite and what is not as well as bite inhibition. Otherwise, your puppy may bite on hands, remote controls and furniture.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Make a high-pitched yelp when your puppy starts to mouth a hand or other body part. This mimics how a mother dog or the puppy's litter mates would react to a bite that hurts. Stop playing with the puppy for several seconds after your yelp as well.
2. Give your puppy appropriate chew toys when your puppy is mouthing or biting on something inappropriate and praise him for chewing on it instead. Distract a puppy with a toy or bone to get his attention off whatever he was first chewing on.
3. Get up and leave the room. This helps to teach your puppy that biting on a hand is inappropriate and that play stops when she does this. Puppies will quickly learn that if they wants play to continue, they've got to avoid biting or mouthing.
4. Use play that doesn't encourage biting for puppies. For some puppies, you may need to avoid games like tug or wrestling as these games can encourage biting and mouthing.
5. Spray bitter tasting anti-chew products on furniture or even hands to make your puppy less likely to bite on them. Your puppy isn't likely to chew on things that don't taste good so the sprays may help prevent biting.
6. Puppy-proof your home. If you have something that you don't want your puppy to chew on, put it out of his reach or keep your puppy away from the item. The easiest way to protect items is just not let your puppy have the chance to chew on them. Set your puppy up for success in his environment rather than tempting him and then getting angry with him about it.