Train Bite Inhibition - How to Stop Puppy Biting
- Anja Boecker
- Updated: 2023-09-20
What's cute at first can become a problem over time. Playful biting is normal in puppies. But as our pets get older, biting becomes more painful. In this article, you'll learn how to train your dog to stop biting.
If your little furry friend is snapping at your hands with sharp teeth, it's time for a lesson in bite inhibition. With the right approach, your little one can become a gentle companion who knows that hands are for petting, not biting.
In puppyhood, little furry friendds do everything they can to explore their world. They sniff, lick and, of course, bite. While it is normal for puppies to bite while playing, it is important to teach them to control their bite early on.
But how do you teach a puppy this important lesson? Patience, consistency and the right methods are the way to a soft mouth. Let's start down that road together.
➡ Puppies love to explore with their teeth. This is similar to human babies who want to grab everything and put it in their mouth.
Dogs do not have hands to grasp, so they use their teeth.
Learning From Dog Moms
Puppies playfully test their limits when interacting with others. They demonstrate their strength. They bite their mother's fur or play with their siblings.
Dog mothers teach their pups how much force they can use. In most cases, it is more than our skin can withstand. Of course, the puppies don't know this yet. That's why it's our job to show them how much force is acceptable.
Before training, it is necessary to determine what the goal of bite inhibition should be: Should the dog learn to control the use of his teeth and only bite gently? Or should biting be completely taboo for him?
If there are small children in the household, the puppy should always be taught not to bite.
Playful Biting
Playful biting is something natural that every young dog tries out. Even the growl is not a threat, but part of the game. Puppies bite especially when they are playing. They do it for fun, and more importantly, because they are full of energy and want to test their strength.
Only when dogs bite frequently in difficult situations and out of fear can this become a problem. Even if your puppy bites only in play and this is not a sign of Weary is, he must know where his limits are.
He needs to understand that he is not allowed to play with you or treat you as roughly as he treats his other dogs. This is why bite inhibition training is useful.
Train Bite Inhibition
Bite inhibition training is an essential part of puppy training that teaches your puppy to use his mouth in a gentle and controlled manner. This training should begin as early as possible to prevent biting from becoming a permanent behavior problem. The following is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Create Conditions
Before you begin, make sure you have all the materials you need on hand, such as:
- Chew toy: Choose toys that are safe and appropriate for puppies.
- Treats: Have small rewards available to reward positive behavior.
Step 2: Teaching Basic Commands
Before you begin bite inhibition training, teach your puppy some basic commands such as "sit" and "no". This will help you maintain control throughout the training process.
Step 3: Recognize and Respond to Bites
Observe your puppy closely to understand his behavior and to recognize when and why he is prone to biting. If your puppy starts to bite, it is important to respond immediately and appropriately.
- Stop the biting: Say a firm "no" and stop play immediately if the puppy starts to bite.
- Divert attention: Give your puppy a chew toy to keep him from biting your hand or furniture. Redirect to toys - Redirect your puppy's biting by allowing him to chew on appropriate toys or chews.
Step 4: Take Rest Breaks
If your puppy is overly excited and won't stop biting, you should take a break....
- Calm puppies: Take the puppy to a quiet place where he can calm down.
- Use a discard command: Use a sit command to calm the puppy and teach him to relax.
Step 5: Train Bite Inhibition
Now is the time to work on bite inhibition:
- Encourage soft play: Play gently with your puppy and encourage him not to bite....
- Check the bite pressure: Let your puppy use his mouth to explore your hand. If your puppy bites lightly (without pain), respond with an "ouch" or other signal word to show him that the bite is unwanted. Keep your hand still and do not pull away, as this may trigger your puppy's hunting instinct.
- Abandon the game in case of a strong bite: If the puppy bites violently, Immediately stop the game and isolate the puppy for a short period of time ("time out") so that he learns that severe biting will result in the game being stopped. Ignore the puppy for a few minutes so he understands that there are consequences to his behavior.
- Positive reinforcement: Praise your puppy and give him a treat when he plays gently without biting.
Step 6: Maintain Consistency
It is important to train consistently and regularly to achieve lasting results. Avoid any form of violence or overly harsh punishment, as this will only undermine the training process. Make sure that all family members and visitors follow the same rules to avoid confusion.
Step 7: Socialization
Allow your puppy to meet other dogs. Not only will this help with socialization, but other dogs can teach him to control his biting.
With patience, consistency, and loving guidance, your puppy will learn to control his biting behavior. Remember that bite inhibition training is an ongoing process and every dog has its own pace.
Remain patient and loving to provide your puppy with a safe and loving environment in which to grow and develop.
Playful Biting Hand
It is natural for puppies to explore their environment with their mouths and to bite for fun. However, it is important to teach them that hand biting is not allowed. Before you start training, make sure your puppy gets enough exercise and mental stimulation to burn off excess energy.
Teach your puppy from the beginning that it is not okay to bite your hand, even during play. Say a firm "no" and stop play immediately if he starts to bite. If your puppy starts to bite your hand:
- Offer an appropriate toy or chew.
- Praise him when he uses the toy instead of your hand.
Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior: Praise your puppy and give him a treat when he plays without biting. Encourage him to be gentle by encouraging him to play calmly and quietly.
If your puppy bites your hand, pull your hand back slowly and calmly, without making any jerky movements that may encourage him to bite further.
Give him a different toy or redirect his attention to another activity. Try to keep your puppy's attention away from your hands by using toys and games that do not encourage him to bite.
Consider starting bite inhibition training to help your puppy learn to use his mouth in a controlled manner. Be patient and consistent with your training. Avoid conflicting signals by making sure all family members are following the same rules. Remember that training takes time and puppies don't learn overnight.
Playful biting is a normal puppy behavior, but it's important to set boundaries early to prevent unwanted habits. Through consistent education, positive reinforcement, and offering chew alternatives, you can break your puppy's biting habit. With patience and love, your puppy will learn to control his biting behavior over time.
4 Tips for Bite Inhibition
1. Never Punish or Reprimand
If your puppy bites you while playing, do not punish or scold him. He would not understand what he did wrong at that moment. Were you punishing him because he was wagging his tail? Or because he was trying to play with you? He can't really understand punishment yet.
He would not understand a gentle push away, as he is probably used to rough play from his siblings. So pushing him away would just be part of the game, and would only encourage him more. In the worst case, it would only make him more agitated and bite harder.
Under no circumstances should you hurt your dog as punishment. This will damage the relationship. Especially at this age, it is important that you build a strong relationship with your furry friend.
2. Toys Instead of Hands
Canines play primarily with their teeth. If you play with your puppy only with his hands, he will inevitably bite you. However, it is very difficult to completely forbid your faithful companion from using his teeth.
Because at this age, he is just learning to control his biting. He needs to know his own strength to know how hard he can bite. If you forbid him to bite, he will never develop a feeling for it.
Your puppy now has toys to chew and bite. This allows him to train his teeth without biting you.
3. Pausing the Game and the “Ow!” Trick
Your furry friend still snaps at you when you play? Then make it clear to him that he is not allowed to do this. Give him a cue, such as a loud "Ow". Then turn away and stop playing with him.
It is important to say the word at the right time. This will let your baby know that he has done something wrong by biting. After you have done this a few times, your puppy will understand that he should not bite too hard. After all, your puppy really wants to continue playing with you, and the only way to do that is to stop biting.
It is important that you be consistent. Only if you turn away every time will he associate it with his behavior. When he has calmed down, you can continue the game. In this way, he will gradually learn what he can and cannot do.
4. Let him Rest
Your puppy will bite you especially when he is excited and full of energy. It is important to let him calm down first. The next time he tries to bite, just ignore him.
This will show him that it only hurts him and that he is no longer the center of attention. Only when he has calmed down do you play actively with him again. If the playful biting becomes too painful at some point, it is hard to ignore.
Your puppy just won't stop jumping and biting you? Leave him alone for a while. He is too energetic at the moment to understand his misbehavior. Only when you give him a clear sign will he understand.
Important Trick 🐶
It's best to leave the room. Your dog will calm down quickly when left alone. While he is still upset, it is difficult to teach him the correct behavior. However, once he has calmed down, it is much easier. In fact, he may even regret his behavior after a while.
After a few repetitions, he will associate being alone with biting and will do it less often for a while. If you come back into the room after a few minutes, he'll probably get excited again. After all, he's happy to have you back.
This time, you should offer him a toy right away. Then he will play with it first and not bite you right away.
If he still snaps, repeat the entire process. Leave the room and wait for your dog to calm down.
Over time, your dog will learn that the only way to be left alone is if he bites you. This will also teach you to stay calm and not get excited all the time.
Puppy Does Not Come To Rest
A puppy that won't settle down can be a challenge, especially for new dog owners. Puppies have a lot of energy, and it's important to create an environment where they can calm down and relax. Here are some steps you can take to help your puppy calm down:
#1: Determine Cause
Before you do anything, find out the cause of the restlessness. Your puppy may have too much energy:
- has too much energy
- is anxious or stressed
- has health problems
#2: Move and load properly
Make sure your puppy gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. Schedule daily walks and playtime to channel his energy.
A consistent routine can also help:
- Fixed hours: Set regular play and activity times so your pup knows when it's time to play and when it's time to rest.
- Evening ritual: Establish a calming evening ritual before bedtime to help your pup relax.
#3: Create a Calming Environment
Create a quiet and comfortable environment for your puppy:
- Reduce noise: Turn off loud music or the TV.
- Comfortable place to sleep: Provide a comfortable place for your puppy to sleep and relax.
The position of the dog bed can play an important role:
- Quiet corner: Choose a quiet corner in your home, away from the main paths and noise.
- Personal Area: Give your puppy a personal space of his own so he can retreat and relax when he is tired or stressed.
- Comfort: Make sure the dog bed is comfortable and inviting so your dog will want to lie in it.
#4: Encourage relaxation rituals
Create routines and rituals to help you relax:
- Massages: Gently pet or massage your puppy to calm him down.
- Quiet voice: Use a soft, soothing voice to signal that it's time to relax.
Encourage activities that help your puppy calm down:
- Snuggle time: Spend quiet cuddle time with your puppy where no wild play is allowed.
- Quiet music: Sometimes soft, soothing music can help create a relaxing atmosphere.
#5: Respect Rest Periods
If your puppy is overexcited, give him regular rest breaks so he can relax and recover.
#6 Reduce Toy Quantity
An overabundance of toys can encourage constant play and make it difficult for the puppy to settle down. It makes sense to reduce the number of toys available to the puppy.
A limited selection can help prevent overstimulation. You can also introduce a rotation system where you change toys regularly to prevent boredom, but limit the number of toys available.
#7 Education and Training
Think of the situation as a training opportunity. Teach your puppy commands like "down" or "off" that will help him calm down.
If Your Puppy Gets Overexcited and Then Bites
When a puppy is hyper and starts biting, it is important to calm him down and teach him to use his energy in a positive way. Before you do anything, try to find out why your puppy is hyper. Possible causes include:
- Fatigue
- Overstimulation from sounds or activities in the environment
- Too much unstructured play
Create a calm and relaxed environment by reducing the amount of stimulation, whether it be sounds, people, or toys; create a delineated "quiet" area for the puppy to retreat to.
It is important to set clear limits: Stop play immediately if the puppy starts to bite and say a clear but calm "no. Avoid games that encourage excessive biting, such as tug-of-war or roughhousing.
If the puppy starts to bite, offer him a chew toy or teething ring to help him redirect his biting energy. Channel his energy into constructive activities, such as doing puzzles.
Use strategies that calm the puppy, such as
- Gentle stroking and massaging
- Soothing words in a soft voice
Be consistent in your responses: Avoid varying responses to the same behavior as this can confuse the puppy. Praise your puppy when he stops biting and shows calmer behavior.
Establish regular periods of rest when the puppy can relax and "chill out". If you have difficulty solving the problem yourself, do not hesitate to seek the help of a professional dog trainer.
An overexcited, biting puppy can be a challenge. However, by creating a calm environment, setting clear boundaries, and providing alternative outlets for your puppy's energy, you can help him calm down and reduce biting. Be patient and consistent with your training for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is normal for puppies to bite while playing. He is learning to use his strength while playing. He is not biting out of aggression and will not grow up to be an aggressive dog. It is up to you to teach your puppy how much and when to bite.
Your puppy is not yet able to estimate his strength and will only learn his limits through play. You should help him by setting clear limits on how hard he can bite and whether he can bite at all.
It is best to start early to train your puppy not to bite your hand by offering proper toys as an alternative. If your puppy still snaps and gets too excited, be sure to consistently stop the play and let him calm down on his own.
It is up to you to decide how hard your puppy should bite, or if he should bite at all. But this should only happen during play and not become a rule.
Every puppy is different, but with consistent training it should work within a few weeks.
Yes, this is normal behavior, but it is important to teach him to control his biting.
No, there is a risk of suffocation. Always stay close by.
My Conclusion
Don't worry if your puppy bites you easily while playing.
This does not mean that he will become more aggressive and bite people. It is normal for young dogs to test their limits in a playful way.
What they don't know is that they can't treat us the way they treat other dogs. That's why it's our job as dog owners to teach them. There are a few things you should keep in mind when teaching your dog bite inhibition. You should not yell at your dog, and you certainly should not hurt your dog by punishing him.
Your puppy would not understand what he has done wrong. Besides, it could put a strain on your relationship. Instead, teach him to bite only toys and not your arm. If he still bites you, stop playing and leave the room. This will help your puppy calm down.
If you do this consistently, he will soon get out of the habit of biting. Do you have experience with this topic or do you have a question? We look forward to hearing from you in the comments. 😃
My name is Anja Boecker, and I am a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant. With these articles, I want to help you to understand your dog better and to build an inseparable bond.
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Hello Claudia,
many, many thanks for this explanation. We have since 2 weeks exactly because of stress with our puppy and nowhere you get a reasonable explanation. Especially the statement that this is normal for now and does not automatically lead to an aggressive dog is incredibly reassuring.
If the puppy has now bitten into a jacket arm, trouser leg or similar and is tugging at it. How do I get him off without hurting him? The "Ow" trick only works if I really "snap" - he doesn't care about a friendly squeak.
Hello Falko, thank you very much for your contribution. Your puppy might even interpret the "friendly squeak" "cordially" as praise and motivation to continue. The voice pitch for the "Ow" trick should already come across as consistent and "dominant", whereby you should also consistently ignore it. By the way, you can reinforce the "Ow" trick with a physical gesture, such as raising your index finger. With a little patience and time he will understand after a few more attempts that he is not allowed to do that. I wish you much success with the implementation.
Hi Claudia, our young dog (17 weeks) bites less when playing than when we want to stop unwanted behavior, e.g. when she keeps jumping on the couch, which she shouldn't, and we want to lift her down. Then the ignoring doesn't work. Or when she nibbles on furniture or her basket. Raised index finger and corresponding tone do not impress her at all, also no toy as an alternative. She snaps/bites and cannot be dissuaded. A spirited grip on the fur only has a short-term effect, so far not a lasting one. It is really exhausting. Do you have a tip on how we can break our four-legged friend of this? Many thanks in advance.
Dear Susanne, it may well be that your dog is not sufficiently exhausted, i.e. challenged with games and training sessions. Spend a lot of time with him, in which you exhaust him with (intelligence) games, training etc. and keep him busy. If this does not help, it would be advisable if you call in a competent person in your area (educator, behavior therapist).