09/04/2026
Puppy biting is normal—but that doesn’t mean we can’t start teaching better habits early.
Kobe is only 11 weeks old, and like a lot of puppies, he’ll nip, paw, and lick when he wants something.
In this exercise, the treat stays hidden in my closed hand. Trying harder doesn’t make it appear.
What works?
Leaving my hand alone, settling down, and sitting politely.
That’s the behavior I reward.
I use the cue “off” for this. Some people prefer “leave it,” and that’s completely fine. The word matters less than teaching it clearly and using it consistently.
By the end, Kobe’s owners are practicing the same exercise themselves.
Small lessons like this help puppies learn that calm choices work better than demanding ones.
