05/04/2026
I have been asked a lot recently about what todo when a puppys starts bitting. So I've prepared something that i can copy and paste that pretty much covers everything you need to know about your puppy putting teeth on you.
Understanding Puppy Biting
Puppy biting (mouthing) is a normal, developmentally appropriate behaviour. It is influenced by genetics, early development, and environmental reinforcement. Puppies do not possess an inherent understanding of “right” and “wrong”; instead, they learn through associative processes—what is reinforcing versus what is not.
Like human infants, puppies explore their environment using sensory input. However, because they lack hands, their primary exploratory tool is the mouth. This behaviour is consistent with what we understand from developmental ethology and canine sensory biology.
Why Human Reactions Can Reinforce Biting
When a puppy mouths hands during play, typical human responses include:
Rapid withdrawal of hands
Increased vocalisation (e.g., shouting or squealing)
Physical reactions (e.g., pushing, grabbing)
From a behavioural science perspective, these responses often function as positive reinforcement. Sudden movement can activate the puppy’s predatory motor pattern, while heightened vocal and physical interaction increases arousal. In effect, the human becomes more stimulating than the toy.
Play Strategies
To reduce reinforcement of biting:
Use toys (e.g., on a string or tug line) to redirect oral behaviour away from skin
Minimise direct hand interaction during early play
If playing tug and the puppy makes contact with skin:
Immediately terminate the interaction
Remove the toy
Withdraw attention (no verbal or physical engagement)
This approach utilises negative punishment (removal of a desired resource) to decrease unwanted behaviour. Over repeated trials, the puppy learns that biting skin results in loss of social play.
“Biting Frenzies” and Arousal States
Episodes often described as “biting frenzies” are typically linked to:
Overstimulation
Fatigue
Poor self-regulation
At this stage, continued interaction is counterproductive. The appropriate intervention is to reduce stimulation and provide an opportunity for rest.
Using a crate in this context is not punitive; rather, it supports:
Arousal regulation
Development of independent settling behaviours
Adequate sleep, which is critical for neurological development
Key Areas for Early Puppy Development
Early training should prioritise foundational life skills over strict obedience. These include:
1. Environmental Exposure (Socialisation)
Controlled, positive exposure to novel stimuli supports behavioural resilience and reduces the risk of fear-based responses later in life.
2. Crate Training
When implemented correctly, crate training facilitates:
Toilet training
Prevention of rehearsal of unwanted behaviours
Development of independence and rest patterns
3. Stationing (“Place”)
Teaches the puppy to remain calmly in a designated area, supporting co-existence within the household.
4. Passive Co-existence (“Settling”)
Encouraging the puppy to relax in the presence of the owner without constant interaction builds emotional stability.
5. Threshold Training
Prevents impulsive behaviours such as rushing through doorways and promotes impulse control.
6. Loose Lead Walking and Recall
These are safety-critical behaviours and should be introduced early using reinforcement-based methods.
7. Basic Obedience
Commands such as sit, down, and stand are relatively simple to teach and should not be prioritised over behavioural foundations in early development.
Management Strategies
Use the crate proactively for rest and when supervision is not possible
When the puppy is out, keep it on a lead indoors to:
Prevent rehearsal of unwanted behaviours
Avoid chasing (which can reinforce arousal and avoidance patterns)
This is an example of management, which is essential in preventing behaviour problems before they develop.
Why Early Corrections Are Problematic
Applying corrections to puppies is often ineffective and can be harmful due to:
Timing limitations
Effective correction requires precise timing, which humans frequently fail to achieve.
Inconsistent communication
Dogs associate consequences with the behaviour occurring at the exact moment of delivery. Mis-timed corrections can reinforce or punish unintended behaviours.
Emotional interference
Human corrections are often delivered with heightened emotion, which can increase fear or confusion.
Risk of adverse learning events
Poorly applied corrections can lead to single-event learning, potentially resulting in long-term behavioural issues such as fear or avoidance.
In contrast, maternal correction in dogs is:
Immediate
Context-specific
Emotionally neutral
Consistent
These conditions are extremely difficult for humans to replicate reliably.
Puppy biting is a normal developmental behaviour, not a behavioural fault. The focus should be on:
Managing the environment
Reinforcing appropriate behaviours
Reducing reinforcement of unwanted behaviours
Supporting emotional regulation and rest
Training at this stage is less about correction and more about teaching the puppy how to function successfully within a human environment.
