Three Ways to Nip Mouthing and Biting in Its Tracks

If you're thinking of naming your puppy "Jaws" instead of "Prince," maybe it's time to do something about that mouthy behavior. Whether it's nipping, puppy biting, or mouthing, this kind of behavior can be obnoxious, at best, and dangerous, at its worst. A mouthing puppy who doesn't understand "no teeth on humans" can turn into a biter if allowed to continue.

Why Your Puppy Uses His Mouth

Dogs naturally use their mouths the same way we use our hands. They use it to explore, to grab and hold onto, and to pick things up. As puppies, the natural inclination is once the thing is in the puppy's mouth, it's time to chew and swallow. Active and bored puppies will often become destructive chewers.

In that same way, when your puppy mouths or nips, he's using his mouth to grab things. If you watch wild canids, you'll see the puppies biting each other, picking up things in their mouths, and shredding things. It's a natural instinct, if undesirable.

Some breeds are mouthier than others such as German Shepherd Dogs, Belgian Malinois, and other herding breeds. Some are more active and more destructive, such as Terriers and Northern Breeds such as Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies. But any puppy can be mouthy and destructive.

Teething

Puppies mouth and bite when they grow their adult teeth between three and four months. Much of it is to relieve the pain of teething. You should have your veterinarian check on your puppy's teeth, especially if the mouthing and destructive chewing is particularly bad. It might signal a real tooth problem.

You should always have appropriate toys for your puppy to chew on and supervise him while he is chewing them. Be sure to inspect them for damage such as dangerous small pieces broken off, rips, tears or other hazards and replace them when they become worn.

Nip Mouthing in the Bud

If your puppy is a mouthy pup, the first thing you need to do is institute a "no teeth on humans" rule. That means don't let your puppy chew on your hands. If he bites, shout "ouch!" and startle him to letting you go and stop playing or interacting with him. If he tries to bite again, put your hand in a fist and shout "ouch!" again so he can't get hold of you easily. When he stops, substitute something appropriate for him to chew like a nylon bone, a near-indestructible rubber toy filled with treats, or something he likes chewing on. Stop playing with him and let him play with something appropriate. Only when he settles down should you play with him.

Don't Play Rough

Rough and tumble play that excites a puppy can lead to mouthing or nipping. Don't play tug-of-war; play fetch. Don't use your hands for objects for him to chase or gnaw on; use a dog-approved stuffed toy or other tough item. Don't give your puppy a chance to nip or bite and chances are, he'll stop doing it altogether.

He Can't Bite If He Has Something Already In It

Some dogs are so mouthy that even if you follow these suggestions, they still nip. In these cases, try having your puppy carry a favorite toy or a ball wherever he goes or when you interact with him. When he starts to nip or bite, slip the toy in his mouth - and praise him. Most mouthy pups love carrying things and if you really have an insistent nipper, he'll be relieved to have something to work on.

References

Puppy Biting & Nipping of Hands

Puppy Nipping and Chewing: How to Stop the Biting That Hurts