To stop a puppy from biting, follow these expert-backed strategies:

Immediate Responses to Biting

• When your puppy bites, immediately stop playing and stay still. If they continue, turn away and cross your arms to signal withdrawal of attention. If this doesn't work, move away and give them time to calm down before resuming interaction

• Avoid reacting dramatically (like squealing or pulling away), as this can encourage the puppy to see biting as a game. Instead, stand still, avoid eye contact, and move away to end playtime

Redirect and Substitute

• Always have a favorite chew toy or tug toy handy. When your puppy tries to bite you, redirect their attention to the toy. This helps them learn to bite toys instead of people

• Offer a variety of age-appropriate toys to satisfy chewing urges, especially during teething

Manage Play and Energy

• Encourage non-contact play such as fetch or tug-of-war rather than rough wrestling, which can trigger biting

• Use calm, slow movements when handling your puppy to avoid stimulating their prey drive that leads to biting

• Provide plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation to reduce excess energy that can cause biting

Time-Outs and Calmness

• If biting persists, gently place your puppy in a quiet space or crate for a brief time-out to calm down. Avoid making the crate a punishment

• Puppies often bite more when overtired; ensure your puppy gets enough rest and naps

Reinforcement and Consistency

• Reward calm and gentle behavior with praise or treats to reinforce what you want to see

• Be patient and consistent with training, and avoid harsh verbal or physical corrections, which can lead to fear or aggression

By combining these approaches-immediate withdrawal of attention, redirection to toys, managing energy, time-outs, and positive reinforcement-you can effectively teach your puppy to stop biting and develop good bite inhibition