How to Correct Puppy Mouthing

Brain & CognitionQ&AMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

I’ve compiled the causes of puppy mouthing and step-by-step correction methods, based on veterinary behavior textbooks.

How Should You Correct Puppy Mouthing?

Puppy mouthing is mostly a normal part of growth. Especially during the teething period from 3 to 7 months of age, puppies often want to chew on everything because their gums feel itchy and uncomfortable. However, if left uncorrected, this behavior can become a habit that persists into adulthood. The key is not to teach them that "biting is not allowed," but rather to show them "what they should bite." Proper bite correction helps create a comfortable life for both the puppy and the owner.

Reasons Why Puppies Mouth

There are several reasons why a puppy might bite people.

Teething discomfort: Between 3 and 7 months of age, puppies experience itchy and sore gums as their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth come in. Nipping often increases during this period.

Exploratory instinct: Puppies explore the world with their mouths. Human hands, clothing, and furniture are all objects they "test by biting."

Play and excitement: During enthusiastic play, puppies may get overly excited and nip at their owner's hands or feet.

Seeking attention: If an owner reacts strongly when bitten, the puppy learns that "biting gets me attention."

Step-by-Step Mouthing Correction Methods

Behavioral textbooks recommend a step-by-step approach to correcting biting. Step 1 — Stop Play: Immediately stop playing and turn away when your puppy bites. This teaches them that biting ends the fun. Step 2 — Redirect Attention: Redirect their attention to a toy or chew treat the moment they start to bite. Step 3 — Reward Correct Behavior: Reward your puppy with treats and praise when they bite a toy or perform commands like "sit" or "touch." Step 4 — Maintain Consistency: It is most important for all family members to respond according to the same rules.

Stop Play and Redirect Attention: Do It Like This

If your puppy bites your hand, immediately stop playing and calmly withdraw your attention and interaction. By consistently pulling your hand away, stepping back, or turning your back to briefly ignore the behavior, your puppy will learn that biting ends the fun. Veterinary behavior textbooks recommend avoiding direct, wrestling-style play with your hands. A long tug toy is especially useful for redirecting attention. Presenting the toy the moment your puppy tries to bite encourages them to chew on the toy instead of your hands, naturally preventing hand-biting. Praising your puppy with a "Good job!" the instant they bite the toy makes this redirection even more effective.

A puppy playing tug-of-war with its owner using a tug toy

Mouthing Correction Methods You Should Never Use

Never grab your dog’s mouth or muzzle, nor hit their nose. Physical punishment instills fear and anxiety, and can actually increase aggression. Veterinary behaviorists warn that punishment-based training can worsen problematic behaviors. Even shouting “No!” can be perceived by your dog as attention, which may backfire.

Managing Mouthing During the Teething Stage

During the teething stage (3 to 7 months of age), it is natural for biting to become more intense. At this time, it is important to provide appropriate chewing items.

Appropriate Chewing Treats and Toys: Providing dog-specific chewing treats or chewable toys can help relieve biting impulses in a healthy way. Praise and reward your puppy when they chew the correct items, reinforcing through repetition that "chewing this leads to good things."

Safe Chewing Toys: Stuffing treats into Kong toys can help satisfy the urge to bite while also encouraging independent play.

Sufficient Exercise and Play: A lack of physical and mental stimulation can lead to excessive biting. Ensure your puppy expends energy adequately through age-appropriate walks and playtime.

Should You Definitely Attend Puppy Classes?

Puppies grow into well-adjusted adult dogs when they have positive experiences with other dogs, people, and various environments during their socialization period. If they don’t receive adequate socialization during this time, they may become fearful of strangers or new situations. That’s why providing opportunities for them to interact with other puppies in a safe and positive setting, such as in puppy classes, can be very helpful. When puppies play too roughly and bite too hard, their playmates often stop playing. These experiences of play being interrupted help puppies learn to self-regulate the intensity of their biting. According to veterinary behavior textbooks, the sensitive socialization period for puppies lasts from approximately 3 weeks of age until around 12 to 14 weeks (about 13 weeks). During this time, it’s important to gradually build positive experiences using treats and toys, ensuring the puppy doesn’t become frightened.

Puppies playing together in a puppy class

When Professional Consultation Is Necessary

If biting hasn’t decreased by seven months of age, or if your dog growls while biting or becomes aggressive in certain situations, it may not be simple mouthing. This could be fear- or anxiety-based aggression, so we recommend consulting a veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does puppy biting last?

Teeth grinding tends to naturally decrease around 7 to 8 months of age, when most puppies finish teething. However, if left uncorrected, it can persist as a habit into adulthood, so it is important to properly address the behavior early on using positive reinforcement.

My puppy only bites my hands. Why does he do that?

Hands are often perceived as play objects by dogs because they are close and constantly moving. Veterinary behavior textbooks recommend avoiding direct hand play and instead using toys to redirect biting toward appropriate items. Praising and rewarding toy chewing will gradually reduce hand-biting behavior.

Does saying "No!" stop the biting?

In fact, it can backfire. Loud noises may inadvertently reinforce the behavior by making your dog feel they’ve gained your attention. From a behavioral standpoint, it’s more effective to quietly stop play and withdraw interaction instead of raising your voice.

My dog is fully grown but still bites. Can this behavior be corrected?

Adult dogs can also be trained to correct biting behavior. However, because the habit is well-established, it may take longer to see results. The basic principles—positive reinforcement, interrupting play, and redirecting to a toy—remain the same. If an adult dog’s biting is linked to aggression, we recommend consulting a veterinary behavior specialist.

My puppy only chews on furniture and shoes. Is this the same as biting?

This behavior is a bit different from biting people. Chewing on furniture or shoes is often linked to play and exploration instincts, or simply an excess of energy. Provide appropriate chew toys and praise or reward your pet for chewing on the right items. If the chewing becomes excessive or your pet starts swallowing foreign objects, it’s a good idea to have a veterinarian check for gastrointestinal issues or oral pain.

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References

[1] Veterinary Guide to Preventing Behavior Problems in Dogs and Cats, Wiley-Blackwell, Chapter 5: Setting Puppies Up for Success

[2] Introduction to Animal Behavior and Veterinary Behavioral Medicine, Elsevier, Chapter 5–6: Puppy Behavior and Socialization