Although your puppy loves to play with you, it’s best if they don’t show you affection by nipping or biting your hands. You’ll want your puppy to keep those pearly whites to themselves, especially now that they have big adult teeth! If your puppy is excessively mouthy, the first thing you’ll want to do is provide a regular daily routine that includes plenty of play and mental stimulation.
Here are some other strategies:
- Set your puppy up to succeed. Provide different toys for oral stimulation. Soft toys, food toys and tug-of-war can help satisfy your puppy’s desire to chew on things.
- Avoid playing rough. Rough play with your hands teaches your puppy that hands are acceptable toys to use as they please. Your dog is not only learning that it’s okay, but they’re being rewarded for this behavior if you continue playing after being bitten or scratched.
- Be consistent. Make sure all your family members are on the same page. Your puppy can be easily confused if one human family member tells them not to bite while another encourages this behavior. Be consistent in redirecting your puppy when they chew on hands, feet or clothes. A mouthy puppy may be adorable, but a mouthy adult dog can easily cause injury. Consistency throughout life is super important.
- End rough play sessions. If play gets too rough and involves biting, immediately end the play session and leave. If the biting resumes when you return, leave again. Your puppy wants to play, and they’ll learn that play ends if they bite you.
- Employ a verbal cue. Emit a sharp “yip” or “ouch” as soon as biting begins so your puppy backs off. Any contact with the skin should lead to an immediate end to the play and attention. This sends the message to your puppy that the bites are painful and will cause playtime to end.
Remember that nipping and biting is a component of play behavior, and play is a form of social interaction. Your puppy is practicing their social and communication skills as they move toward adulthood. Make sure that you’re communicating back which behaviors are acceptable and which aren’t. Your puppy shouldn’t always be the one initiating play, either! Make sure that you show your puppy some love by inviting them to play on your terms.
