How to Stop Your Puppy From Chewing On You

Biting and nipping is just a form of play when puppies are part of a litter.

Biting and nipping are just two of the ways that puppies play and interact with each other. When a puppy becomes older and leaves the litter; however, it must learn that this type of playing is no longer acceptable. While it is important to realize that puppies have a need to bite on things, especially when they are teething, it must learn at an early age that it can not bite on a human's fingers or toes. Fortunately, there are methods you can use that can help a puppy understand that this type of biting is not appropriate and redirect its biting tendencies elsewhere.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Tell the puppy "No!" in a strong firm voice. Give the puppy a chew toy to bite on instead of your hand or fingers. This method works best for puppies under 2 months of age because they are still too young to realize that biting is not an appropriate behavior.

2. Make a yelping or shrieking noise. Puppies learn by playing with other puppies that if they bite too hard, the fun will stop. Start using these stronger actions to stop the biting when the puppy reaches around 2 months of age.

3. Stop playing and interacting with your puppy as soon as you make the yelping noise. Leave the area or ignore the puppy for a short while to teach it that biting is not acceptable.

4. Clap your hands instead of making a vocal noise if the puppy bites on your shoes or pants leg. Do not verbally acknowledge this type of behavior since this gives the puppy the attention it wants and will only make the behavior worse.

5. Make a low growling noise and grasp the puppy firmly (but gently) at the scruff of its neck. This is the method a puppy's mother uses when her patience has worn thin and she wants the puppy's antics to stop. Hold this position until the puppy realizes that playtime is over or you successfully redirect its attention to its chew toys instead.

References

• American Rottweiler Club: Puppy Nipping and Chewing: How to Stop the Biting That Hurts