Why Won't My Puppy Stop Biting Me? I’ve Tried Everything!

I know the feeling all too well. You bring home your new puppy, full of excitement and love, only to have them turn into a biter within days. You’re sitting there thinking ‘my puppy won’t stop biting me I’ve tried everything!

It’s frustrating and can be downright dangerous if your pup starts nipping at strangers. But don’t worry, you’re not alone! Plenty of other dog owners are struggling with the same issue.

So what can you do to stop your puppy from biting? Keep reading to find out.

I’ve compiled a list of tips that have helped me and other owners get their pups to stop biting. Hopefully one or more of these work for you as well!

But first, let’s find out…

Reasons Why Your Puppy Won’t Stop Biting You

There could be several reasons why your puppy is biting you. Therefore, it’s important to figure out the root cause so you can address it appropriately.

Teething

Many puppies start biting more when they’re going through teething. This is because their gums are sore and inflamed, and they often find relief by chewing on something, even their own feet.

If you think your puppy’s biting is due to teething, then offer them plenty of chew toys to help soothe their gums. You can also give them a frozen washcloth to chew on (just make sure it’s not too cold)!

If your pup is still biting you despite having chew toys available, then try using a bitter spray on your skin. This will make it unpleasant for them to bite you, and they’ll eventually learn that they shouldn’t do it.

Boredom

Another common reason puppies bite is because they’re bored. If they don’t have anything else to do, they’ll often turn to nip as a way to pass the time.

Make sure your pup is getting enough exercise every day. A good rule of thumb is that they should be getting at least 30-45 minutes of exercise every day.

In addition to daily walks, you can also try playing fetch or tug-of-war with your puppy. These games will help them burn off excess energy and should make them less likely to bite.

Anxiety

Some puppies bite because they’re anxious or stressed. This could be due to separation anxiety, fear of loud noises, or even just being in a new environment.

If you think your puppy’s biting is due to anxiety, then you’ll need to help them feel more comfortable and secure. This may involve crate training, desensitization exercises, or even medication if the anxiety is severe.

Anxiety or stress can also be caused by a lack of socialization. If your puppy isn’t used to being around people or other animals, they may become scared and start biting as a way to defend themselves.

Make sure you’re taking your pup out regularly so they can interact with the world around them. This will help them become more comfortable and less likely to bite out of fear.

Habitual Biting

In some cases, puppies bite because it’s something they’ve always done. If their mother or littermates used to nip at them, then they may think it’s perfectly normal behavior.

You’ll need to break this habit by teaching your puppy that biting is not acceptable.

This can be done through positive reinforcement, such as rewarding your pup when they don’t bite, or through negative reinforcement, such as ignoring your pup when they do bite.

In most cases, a combination of both methods will be the most effective.

Exploratory Puppy Phase

Many puppies go through an exploratory phase where they’re constantly putting everything in their mouth. This is perfectly normal behavior and often happens between the ages of 3-6 months.

During this phase, it’s important to be extra vigilant about supervising your puppy. If they start to nip at you, give them a firm ‘no’ and redirect their attention to a toy or chew bone.

This phase will eventually end, but in the meantime, you may need to put up with a little more biting than usual.

Tips to Stop Puppy Biting

Now that you know why your puppy is biting, it’s time to take action and put an end to the behavior.

Here are a few tips to help you do just that:

#1 – Muzzle Training

Muzzle training can be a helpful way to stop your puppy from biting. It may seem cruel, but it’s a humane way to protect both you and your pup while you’re working on the problem.

Muzzles prevent your puppy from being able to open their mouth, so they can’t bite even if they want to. This gives you the peace of mind of knowing that you won’t get hurt, and it also allows your puppy to continue to socialize and explore without fear of biting.

Muzzle training should only be used as a temporary solution, however. Once your puppy has learned not to bite, you can remove the muzzle and go back to life as usual.

#2 – Dog Chew

Chew toys are a great way to redirect your puppy’s biting behavior. Whenever they start to nip at you, give them a chew toy instead. This will teach them that their bites are only acceptable when directed at an inanimate object.

Make sure you choose a toy that’s specifically designed for chewing. Avoid giving your puppy old socks or other household items, as they may start to see these as chew toys and begin biting them as well.

Chew toys are also a great way to keep your puppy occupied and distracted from biting. If you know you’re going to be in a situation where your pup is likely to bite (such as during playtime), then give them a chew toy beforehand to help keep their mind off of biting.

#3 – Behavioral Training

Puppy biting can also be a sign of dominance. Your pup may try to bite you as a way to show that they’re in charge. This is most likely to happen if you have more than one dog in your home.

To stop your puppy from biting out of dominance, you’ll need to assert yourself as the alpha dog. This means being firm and consistent with your commands, not letting your puppy get away with bad behavior, and making sure they understand that you’re the one in charge.

Effective behavioral training can be difficult, so sometimes it’s best to leave this to a professional.

#4 – Stop Using Your Hands/Feet for Playtime

One of the biggest reasons puppies bite is because they think it’s part of playtime. When you’re playing with your pup, they may see your hands and feet as toys. This can lead to a lot of nipping and biting, which can be painful for you.

The best way to stop this from happening is to avoid using your hands and feet as playthings. Instead, use chew toys, balls, or other dog-safe objects to play with your puppy. This will help teach them that biting is not part of the game.

How Long Will Puppy Biting Last?

Puppy biting is a normal part of development, but it’s important to nip the behavior in the bud before it gets out of hand. With consistent training, most puppies will outgrow their biting phase by the time they’re 6-9 months old.

Some puppies may take longer to stop biting, however. If your puppy is still biting after 9 months, then you may need to consult a professional trainer or behaviorist for help.

Puppy biting can be frustrating, but remember that it’s only temporary. With a little patience and training, your puppy will eventually learn to curb their biting habits.

When Can You Start Puppy Training?

You can start training your puppy as soon as they come home with you. It’s never too early to begin teaching them good behavior.

german sheperd puppy play biting woman's hands

Puppyhood is the best time to start training, as puppies are more receptive to new information and less set in their ways than older dogs. However, even an older dog can learn new tricks with the right training.

Like humans, all dogs are different. Therefore some will learn faster than others. Some will take it at their own pace.

Be patient with your puppy and don’t get discouraged if they make a few mistakes along the way. With time and patience, they’ll get the hang of it.

Our Readers Favorite Questions

How Do I Stop My Puppy From Biting Everything I Tried?

There are a few things you can do to stop your puppy from biting: 1. Use chew toys instead of your hands/feet during playtime. 2. Redirect their biting behavior with a chew toy. 3. Provide positive reinforcement when they display good behavior. 4. Be consistent with your commands and training.

Why Will My Puppy Not Stop Biting Me?

There are a few reasons your puppy may be biting you: 1. They may be teething and need something to chew on. 2. They may be trying to show dominance over you. 3. They may think it’s part of playtime. If your puppy is biting out of aggression or dominance, then you’ll need to train them to stop.

Why Is My Puppy Biting Me Aggressively and How Do You Stop It?

If your puppy is biting you aggressively, then it may be trying to show dominance. You can stop this behavior by training your puppy to be submissive. This means being firm and consistent with your commands, not letting them get away with bad behavior, and making sure they understand that you’re the one in charge. Professional help may be necessary if the aggression is severe.

How Do I Stop My Puppy From Outburst and Biting Me?

If your puppy is in a biting frenzy, then you’ll need to provide positive reinforcement when they display good behavior. This means rewarding them with treats, praise, or attention when they stop biting. You should also avoid using your hands/feet as playthings, as this can trigger the behavior.

Conclusion