Dog Nipping & Puppy Play Biting

You knew having a puppy would be a big responsibility — and you were ready. You read up on housebreaking, worked out your commands for leash etiquette and puppy-proofed your home. And you were thrilled to discover that your new furry bundle of joy was the sweetest, most mild-mannered puppy you'd ever met. So when you first felt your dog nipping, you were truly caught off guard.

If you're worried your puppy parenting is to blame, you'll be relieved to know that puppy play biting is very common, even among the most well-behaved pups. But why do dogs nip? And how can you curb the habit while your dog is still young? Let's explore the science behind nipping and ways you can train your puppy to stop this behavior.

Why Do Puppies Nip?

Dog nipping, or puppy play biting, generally involves a quick, sharp bite without the intent to cause harm. It's more like mouthing — though the teeth are present and you may feel a pinch, it's not an aggressive behavior; rather, it's due to your pup's lack of self-control or understanding.

Much like babies, puppies use their mouths to learn about the world. That, plus the inevitable need to teethe, leads puppies toward behaviors such as mouthing or jawing on objects, or perhaps getting too frisky during playtime and biting. Puppies often don't know their own strength or just how sharp their teeth truly are.

How to Stop Your Puppy's Nipping

When puppies are young, they learn "bite inhibition" from their mothers and fellow puppies. As the American Kennel Club explains, "If puppies bite while nursing, [their mother] will nip them or stand up and walk away, taking the breakfast buffet with her." And as puppies play together, "if a puppy ... bites too hard, the sibling will jump up and yelp." In these ways, puppies learn there are consequences for biting.

As a dog parent, you too can teach bite inhibition to your puppy. Here's what the ASPCA recommends:

• Let your dog mouth your hand during playtime until they start to bear down.
• Once they bite, let out a loud, high yelp and let your hand go limp. (This imitates the behavior of puppies who are bitten too hard during play, and it should startle your puppy enough for them to stop biting.)
• Once your puppy stops biting, positively reinforce the change in behavior with praise. Continue this up to three times in a given 15- or 20-minute time frame.

If, over time, you find this strategy is unsuccessful, consider reaching out to your veterinarian or pet supply store to get other training tips, or to find a professional dog trainer who can help you set up your pup for a bite-free future.

Another tactic is to redirect their nipping behavior and give them a good chew toy. Whenever they are feeling particularly rambunctious, remove the object of their desire (your hand) from the equation and replace it with something that is more suitable to bite down on. Over time, they will learn that biting their chew toy is acceptable, while hands are not.

Even the calmest and best behaved puppy can be prone to nipping — it's just their nature. The good news is that with the right approach, practice and positive reinforcement, you can teach your puppy not to nip and prepare your four-legged friend for a lifetime of good socialization and great behavior.