Puppy Biting 101: Why It Happens and How to Handle It

Why Does My Puppy Bite?

If your puppy has been turning your hands into their favorite chew toy, you’re not alone! Puppy biting is one of the most common (and often misunderstood) behaviors that new puppy parents experience.

Puppy Biting Is Normal

Puppy biting is a completely normal developmental behavior. Puppies explore their world through their mouths—just like toddlers who put everything in reach into theirs. They use their teeth to learn about textures, boundaries, and to engage with people and their environment.

Puppies spend a lot of time alternating between bursts of play and long naps. You might notice your puppy tends to bite more when they’re overtired, much like a cranky toddler who skipped a nap. Sometimes, a quick rest is all they need to reset and relax.

Why the Conflicting Advice?

If you’ve searched online or asked friends, you’ve probably received a dozen different answers about how to stop puppy biting. The reason for this? Most puppies naturally outgrow playful biting with time and maturity.

That means many people believe their chosen method “worked” when, in reality, their puppy simply aged out of the behavior. While time helps, you can also guide your puppy toward more appropriate behaviors along the way.

When Biting Isn’t Play

While most biting is playful, some puppies use their mouths when they’re feeling uncomfortable, nervous, or unsure. If you notice your puppy guarding food, chews, or toys—or if they show discomfort when being picked up, groomed, or brushed—this may signal underlying fear or anxiety.

These behaviors can often be improved through positive training and confidence-building activities. If you see signs like this, please reach out. We can help you create a plan to build trust and comfort in those situations.

Predict Trouble

It may seem like your puppy is always biting, but that’s rarely the case. Try to identify patterns—when and where biting tends to happen. Once you know the triggers, you can plan ahead to avoid or manage them.

💡 Example: If your puppy bites when you attach the leash, try dropping a few pieces of dog food on the floor first. While your puppy is focused on eating, calmly clip the leash on.

By predicting trouble spots and setting your puppy up for success, you’ll reduce frustration for both of you and help your puppy learn more appropriate behaviors.

If Puppy Biting Starts

Unfortunately, there’s no magic solution—your puppy simply needs time to grow up. But that doesn’t mean we have to let biting continue unchecked.

If inappropriate play begins, either leave the area or gently but firmly move your puppy to their crate or pen. This isn’t a punishment—it’s a neutral way to end the fun and communicate that biting means playtime stops.

If your puppy tends to bite while you relax in the evening, try crating your puppy before sitting down, or use a small pen around the couch to restrict access. Before settling in, offer a stuffed food toy to keep them occupied and satisfied.

Give Your Puppy an Outlet

Instead of trying to stop all play behaviors, it’s more effective to channel them appropriately. Puppies need safe ways to use their mouths and burn off energy.

A great tool is a Flirt Pole—a toy that works like a fishing pole, with a handle, string, and toy on the end. This keeps your hands safely out of the way while letting your puppy chase and play in a controlled way.

Just remember: for safety, avoid encouraging your puppy to jump into the air to catch the toy. Keep play low to the ground and fun!

At CleverDogs, we focus on understanding why behaviors happen—not just stopping them. Our puppy training programs help your pup learn self-control, appropriate play, and how to navigate the world with confidence.

🐾 Ready to learn more? Check out our group puppy classes, day training, or private puppy lessons to get started on the right paw!