How to Stop Puppy Biting: Training Tips for Bite-Free Play

by Bob May 19, 2022

Why Do Puppies Bite?

If you’ve just brought home a new puppy, you’ve probably already felt those sharp little teeth. Puppy biting and mouthing are completely normal—they’re part of how puppies explore the world, learn bite control, and soothe teething discomfort.

From around 8 weeks old, puppies naturally learn “bite inhibition” from their littermates. If they bite too hard, their siblings yelp, and their mother stops playing. When your pup joins your family, it’s your job to continue that training.

Teaching your puppy not to bite will:

Protect your hands, ankles, and clothes.
Prevent adult biting habits.
Build trust and boundaries between you and your pup.

How to Stop Puppy Biting: 5 Proven Training Tips

1. Use Toys, Not Hands

One of the most common mistakes new owners make is using their hands to rough-house with their puppy. This teaches your pup that hands are toys.

Instead, redirect biting to puppy-safe toys such as:

Tug toys – great for teething (discard if they fray).
Rubber Kongs – perfect for stuffing and freezing.
Soft toys – choose from extra-soft to extra-tough depending on your pup’s chewing style.

👉 For puppies under 12 weeks, stick to soft toys and rubber Kongs, as their teeth aren’t strong enough for harder chews.

Pro tip: If your pup destroys toys quickly, only bring them out during supervised play, then put them away.

We also recommend introducing natural puppy chews (from 12 weeks+). Check out JR Pet Products for safe, long-lasting options.

2. Stop Play When Biting Happens

If your puppy bites your hand, stop play immediately and walk away. Puppies quickly learn that hard bites = no fun.

Consistency is key. Everyone in the family should respond the same way every time biting starts.

3. Use Time-Outs & Boundaries

Play is important for development, but over-excited puppies can get too rough. If biting escalates, give your pup a short time-out to calm down before resuming play.

This works for puppy-to-puppy play as well—if one pup bites too hard, separate them briefly, then reintroduce play once calm.

4. Teach the “Leave It” Command

“Leave it” is one of the most valuable puppy training commands. Not only does it stop unwanted biting, but it also keeps your pup safe on walks when they come across dangerous or gross items (like discarded food or animal waste).

How to teach it:

Hold a treat in your closed hand. Let your puppy sniff and paw, but say “leave it.”
The moment they stop trying, open your hand and reward them.
Once they understand, place a treat on the floor. Cover it with your hand if they lunge and repeat “leave it.”

Practice for a few minutes daily. Over time, your puppy will learn impulse control that helps with biting and beyond.

5. Train the Whole Family

Puppies often nip children more than adults, treating them like littermates. To prevent confusion, make sure the entire family follows the same rules:

Stop play immediately when biting starts.
Older kids should say a firm 'no' (not loud - no need to shout, in fact shouting will have the opposite impact), so a firm “no,” tuck their hands away, and turn their backs.
Never allow rough play with hands, even as a joke.

Consistency from every family member is crucial for success.

When Will Puppy Biting Stop?

The good news: puppy biting doesn’t last forever. Most puppies stop “shark biting” around 4–5 months old, especially after teething ends.

In the meantime, remember:

Puppies are babies—they’re learning.
Soft mouthing is okay, but hard bites should always end play.
Stay calm and patient—never shout at or scare your puppy.

With love, consistency, and the right training, your pup will grow into a gentle, well-behaved dog who knows hands are for belly rubs, not chewing!

Final Thoughts: Be Patient and Consistent

Stopping puppy biting takes time, but with consistent training, your pup will learn that biting people isn’t acceptable. Use toys, set boundaries, teach commands, and make sure the whole family is on board.

Above all, remember: biting is just a phase. With patience and persistence, those needle-sharp puppy teeth will soon be used only on toys and chews—not you.