PIGSNPOODLES
Puppy Resources
How to Stop Puppy Biting
Those needle teeth are normal — here’s how to teach a gentle mouth.
Why Puppies Bite
Puppies explore the world with their mouths and learn bite pressure from littermates. Nipping at hands, ankles and clothes is completely normal puppy behavior — not aggression — and it fades fast with consistent teaching.
The Core Technique
When teeth touch skin, mark it with a calm 'ouch,' stop all play, and go still or step away for ten seconds. The lesson: teeth end the fun. Then return and offer a toy. Every person in the house must play by the same rule — inconsistency is why biting lingers.
Redirect, Redirect, Redirect
Keep a toy within reach at all times. The moment your puppy targets hands or ankles, swap in the toy and praise enthusiastically for chewing it. You're not just stopping a behavior — you're teaching what TO bite.
The Witching Hour
Most wild biting happens when a puppy is overtired, usually early evening. If your puppy turns into a little land shark, they don't need more correction — they need a nap. Into the crate for quiet time, and the shark disappears.