How to Train Puppies Who Nip

Your puppy thinks he's just playing when he nips, but it is a painful habit that you should change as soon as possible.

Puppies use their mouths to explore their world. They also use them to play. Your puppy may nip at you as you walk by, or he may gnaw on your hand while playing. This is natural behavior for puppies, but it can be painful and even dangerous to humans. This is especially true as your puppy (and his teeth) grow bigger. Fortunately, a technique known as bite inhibition can help you train your puppy not to nip.

Things You'll Need

• Dog toy

Instructions

1. Play with your puppy or walk past her, whichever causes her to nip.

   When she does bite hard enough to hurt, say "ouch!" in a loud, high-pitched voice. Try to make your cry sound like a yelp. This is what your puppy would hear from a litter-mate, and it is how puppies learn when they are biting too hard.

2. Cry out each time your puppy nips hard enough to hurt.

   Stop the game for a few minutes and start again. Your puppy should learn that biting with that amount of pressure causes a negative reaction from you (your yelp) and stops his fun. He will bite softer.

3. Continue to play with your puppy.

   This time, cry out when he bites just a little bit softer and end the game. Repeat this process, tolerating only softer and softer bites, until you are crying out when your puppy nips at all.

4. Substitute a toy for your hand when your puppy tries to mouth you softly.

   If he insists on grabbing at your hand, say ouch and end the game. Start the game again after about 20 seconds, again substituting the toy each time your puppy tries to nip at your hand. Praise him for biting at the toy instead of your hand.

References

• ASPCA: Puppy Mouthing