So you have a new puppy, now what? With that comes puppy behavior, you might not be accustomed to, like biting everyone, even your other precious dogs. How to prevent a puppy from biting is a primary concern in our home.
How to Prevent a Puppy From Biting
Puppies are usually ready to come to their new home around eight weeks old. They bring with them about 28 razor-sharp teeth that hurt like the devil on your fingers, toes, and anywhere else they can get to. Biting is entirely normal for puppies because of teething, and playful puppies want to eat everything that comes in their way, including your brand new leather loafers.
With a little time and training, you can prevent your new adorable puppy from biting you and your whole family – including your other dogs. It’s more like a nibble, but that hurts too!
Related: New Puppy Essentials Preparing for A Puppy(Opens in a new browser tab)
Playful Puppy Biting
Puppies naturally nip at you and other dogs in the house while playing, and sometimes they don’t realize how hard they’re biting. It took Cissy a while to get used to a new “bigger” dog in the house. Not only was she jealous, but Jett’s playful biting certainly got the best of her at times as she is starting to bite back.
In the picture below, I’m not sure if Cissy is okay with Jett biting her tail, or if she likes it. It’s playful nipping, but as a dog owner, I tend to make sure Jett doesn’t bite her too hard and hurt her, so I’m always keeping an eye out on them.
How to Prevent a Puppy From Biting
First, let me say that wearing a leather glove while playing with your playful pup is a good idea.
- When playing with your new puppy, make sure you have a toy in one hand so you can give it to him to bite on instead of your fingers.
- When telling your puppy not to bite and they mind you, verbally praise them for backing off.
- Merely blow in their face, and for an instant, they will stop only to start licking you. At least that’s what our pup does.
- Reward them with a few treats after they stop biting.
- Let them know that if they bite, playtime is over.
- Don’t yell or physically strike your puppy – this could cause anxiety.
Related: First 5 Commands to Teach Your Puppy(Opens in a new browser tab)
Most of all, love your puppy like family, and don’t let them bite your fingers off!! Hopefully, this phase will be over before you know it.
New puppies are definitely a handful! Thanks for sharing these tips. We just got two new cats and they have certainly kept us on our toes. Always helpful to have tips for new pets.
These are excellent tips. I had two big dogs, and as puppies, they nipped. Let me just stop and tell you all about how hard a large breed puppy nips! YIKES!
I remember the days when we had a new puppy! It’s been a while, but that’s hard to forget. Thanks for the tips!
Too bad everyone doesn’t follow these tips. I’ve seen so many young kids get nipped by an over-zealous puppy.
Your puppy is super cute!! Great tips!
Oh my! Cuteness overload here. I am not a dog person, but I love puppies. These are great tips if we ever decide to get a dog, I’ll know what to do.
Such a cute puppy! We’ve never had a dog, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about.
Great tips. We don’t have any dogs but I am going to share this with my daughter as she walks several of the dogs in the neighborhood. Thanks!
He is so cute! Makes me miss my puppy. These tips are great. Thankfully we didn’t have that many biting problems, but I know a few puppies that could use these tips.