HOW TO STOP PUPPY BITING: A UK TRAINER’S STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Written by Jess Kirby

IMDT-accredited dog trainer | BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour & Training

Owner of Well Behaved Mutts, York

Jess runs Well Behaved Mutts in York, helping owners with practical, reward-based puppy and dog training.

If your puppy looks like butter wouldn’t melt one minute… and the next is biting your hands, clothes, or ankles — you’re not alone.

Puppy biting is one of the most common behaviour challenges new owners face, and it can quickly become frustrating.

The good news is that it’s completely normal — and with the right approach, you can teach your puppy what to do instead.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to stop puppy biting using kind, reward-based training that works in real life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

•   Puppy biting and chewing is completely normal behaviour, not bad behaviour

• Puppies explore the world with their mouths and go through a teething phase (12–16 weeks)

• Biting often increases due to over-excitement, over-arousal, or tiredness

• Puppies may also bite to gain attention or when they are bored

• Meeting your dog’s physical and mental needs reduces unwanted chewing

• You should teach your puppy what to do instead, rather than just trying to stop the behaviour

• Consistency, routine, and calm interactions are key to improving puppy biting

WHY DO PUPPIES BITE AND CHEW?

Puppies chewing things we don’t want them to have (often called “illegal chews”) and biting hands or clothes is something nearly every owner experiences.

It can feel frustrating, but this behaviour is completely normal.

To stop puppy biting effectively, we first need to understand why it’s happening.

PUPPIES EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH THEIR MOUTHS

Puppies use their mouths to explore their environment.

This is how they learn:

• What is edible

• What is not edible

• What is safe within their environment

So when a puppy or dog chews or bites, it’s not because they are being “naughty”.

It’s because their mouth is their main way of understanding the world around them.

TEETHING (AROUND 12–16 WEEKS)

Puppies, like human children, go through a teething stage — usually between 12 and 16 weeks of age.

During this time:

• Chewing and biting act as pain relief

• It helps soothe sore gums

• It supports baby teeth falling out

• It allows adult teeth to come through

This means biting and chewing often increase during this stage.

IT’S HOW PUPPIES NATURALLY INTERACT

Biting is a normal part of how puppies interact before they come into a new home.

They use their mouths when:

• Playing with their littermates

• Interacting with their mum

When they move into a new home, this behaviour doesn’t stop — it simply transfers onto their new environment.

This is why puppies often bite hands, feet, or clothing, and this can continue into dog behaviour if not guided.

OVER-EXCITEMENT AND OVER-AROUSAL

One of the leading reasons puppies bite is over-excitement or over-arousal.

For example:

• When owners come home from work

• When returning from shopping

• During high-energy play

Dogs don’t have an internal clock, so they don’t know how long you’ve been gone — they simply become very excited when you return.

This excitement can lead to biting behaviours, often directed at:

• Clothes

• Hands

• Fingers

Common signs of over-excitement or over-arousal:

• Whining

• Barking

• Zoomies

• Hyperactive behaviour

• Panting

• Yawning

• Scratching

• Agitation

• Reduced attention span

When puppies reach this state, they are far more likely to bite.

ATTENTION-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR

Another common reason puppies bite is to gain attention.

Puppies quickly learn that:

• Biting gets a reaction

• Biting gets interaction from humans

Even if the response is negative (such as shouting), the puppy is still receiving attention — which is what they want.

This means the behaviour can become reinforced over time.

Puppies (and young dogs) may also bite more when:

• They are bored

• They want engagement

• They are trying to initiate interaction

BOREDOM AND LACK OF OUTLETS

The final key reason puppies chew and bite inappropriate items is a lack of physical and mental outlets.

If a puppy or dog’s needs are not fully met, they may:

• “Self-entertain”

• Decide their own activities

• Find ways to fulfil their needs

This often results in:

• Chewing items they shouldn’t have

• Biting hands or clothing

This isn’t disobedience — it’s the dog trying to meet their needs in the only way they know how.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO STOP PUPPY BITING

The first thing you need to do is build a consistent lifestyle and daily routine. This should include regular outlets each day such as games, training, sniffing, and other appropriate activities. Meeting your dog’s physical and mental needs will reduce chewing, as they won’t feel the need to self-entertain.

Appropriate interaction means you stay engaged when your dog is making good choices. Inappropriate behaviour (such as biting) results in you removing yourself. Simply leave the room for two to three minutes. When you return, calmly begin interacting again. At this point, offering a soft plush toy as an alternative to your hand is a good option.

The second step is teaching a positive interrupter. This is a cue that tells your dog something good is about to happen, encouraging them to stop what they are doing and focus on you.

To teach this, choose a word such as “oops”. Say the word, then immediately give your dog a treat. This helps them learn that hearing “oops” predicts something positive.

Practise this in a range of locations, not just the living room, so your dog learns to respond in different environments.

When your dog is chewing something they shouldn’t have, say your positive interrupter. They should look at you. As soon as they do, reward them with a treat and give them an appropriate chew instead.

This same approach applies to biting. If your dog bites your hands, say “oops”, reward them, and then redirect them onto a suitable chew. This helps calm the dog and encourages more appropriate behaviour.

You can also reinforce good choices by dropping a treat next to your dog when they are chewing an appropriate item, showing them they are doing the right behaviour.

COMMON MISTAKES THAT MAKE PUPPY BITING WORSE

There are several common mistakes that can unintentionally make puppy biting and chewing worse.

❌ TOUCHING THE DOG WHEN THEY ARE OVER-EXCITED

Touching or interacting with your puppy or dog when they are over-excited or over-aroused increases the chance of biting.

When a dog is in this state, they are more likely to:

• Grab hands

• Bite clothing

👉 This gives them more opportunity to practise the behaviour, which increases the likelihood of it being repeated.

NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH TOYS OR VARIETY

If a dog does not have enough appropriate toys available, they can quickly become bored and start looking for something else to do.

Ideally:

• Around 80% of their toys should be available at any one time

• Toys should be rotated regularly

• Less familiar toys should be reintroduced

👉 This helps prevent boredom and reduces the chances of chewing inappropriate items.

❌ SAYING “NO” REPEATEDLY

Your puppy does not understand what “no” actually means.

To them, it is simply a word with no clear meaning or guidance on what to do instead.

❌ USING HANDS AS TOYS

Using your hands during play teaches your puppy that biting you is part of the game.

This encourages rough play and increases biting behaviour.

❌ OVER-EXERCISING INSTEAD OF ALLOWING REST

Tired puppies bite more, not less.

Over-exercising can lead to:

• Over-arousal

• Frustration

• Increased biting

👉 Puppies need plenty of rest to regulate their behaviour.

❌ BEING INCONSISTENT

Allowing biting sometimes but not others creates confusion.

Your puppy does not understand when it is acceptable and when it is not, which makes the behaviour harder to change.

❌ USING PUNISHMENT OR HARSH CORRECTIONS

Using punishment can:

• Increase frustration

• Damage trust

• Lead to worse behaviour over time

It can also teach the puppy or dog to chew or engage in behaviours when you are not there, meaning they may start to hide what they are doing rather than learning what is expected.

FAQ

1. HOW DO I STOP MY PUPPY BITING ME?

To stop puppy biting, you need to:

• Redirect them onto appropriate toys

• Reward calm behaviour

• Remove attention when biting happens

Consistency is key — your puppy needs to learn what to do instead of biting.

2. IS PUPPY BITING NORMAL?

Yes, puppy biting is completely normal.

Puppies explore the world with their mouths, go through teething, and use biting as part of play. The goal isn’t to stop it instantly, but to guide them towards appropriate behaviour.

3. WHEN DOES PUPPY BITING STOP?

Most puppies improve between 4–6 months of age, especially once teething settles.

However, this depends on:

• Training

• Consistency

• Sleep and routine

Without guidance, the behaviour can continue into adulthood.

4.WHY DOES MY PUPPY BITE MORE WHEN EXCITED?

Puppies often bite more when they are over-excited or over-aroused.

This can happen:

• When you come home

• During play

• When they are overtired

Helping your puppy stay calm and well-rested will reduce biting.

Puppy biting can feel overwhelming, but it’s a completely normal stage that you can guide your puppy through.

By understanding why it happens, meeting your dog’s needs, and being consistent with your training, you can teach your puppy what to do instead.

The habits you build now will shape your dog’s behaviour for life.

NEED A BIT MORE HELP?

If you’re struggling with puppy biting or other behaviour challenges, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

I offer Puppy Consultations in York, Pocklington, Stamford Bridge, and the surrounding areas, where we look at your puppy’s behaviour in detail and create a clear, practical plan tailored to you and your dog.

Feel free to get in touch — I’m always happy to help 💜