How to Stop a Puppy Biting and Nipping. #10

Puppy biting and nipping are one of the most common areas a new (and sometimes seasoned) puppy owner is likely to struggle with. Virtually every owner of a puppy is faced with this problem at some time or another. In some cases, a puppy's biting and nipping behaviour can become hard and even aggressive if it isn't curtailed in the first few weeks. This has to be one of the most common complaints or problems that are presented to me as a puppy trainer. It is highly addressable but requires a consistent approach from all family members and puppy - child interactions should be closely monitored by the adult or parent at all times.
As with the other videos in this series, I am looking at how to address puppy biting and nipping from the very beginning so as to prevent it from becoming a real problem to the point that you feel reluctant to engage with your puppy as you would like to during pleasant interactions.
The act of chewing is normal for dogs, but they do need to learn what is and what is not appropriate in terms of what they can place their teeth on!
In essence, the golden rule is no teeth on skin or clothing.
It's not uncommon to find yourself constantly interrupting this behaviour in the beginning and to then redirect the behaviour onto permissible items that can be found in the video.
At the time of making this video, we have had Ruby for two weeks and she has been constantly reminded to be polite and that mouthing or biting is not allowed. You can see in the video that she is still doing this to a small degree although for my liking at this time I feel she is on track with it. Ruby is a small, manageable dog that responds well to input and so this is also in our favour. Some dogs that may be bigger and stronger willed may need a more robust response...every dog is an individual and should be treated as such to get the right balance.
I demonstrate how not to play with your puppy, as this can in itself lead to the pup becoming too hyped up and then inevitably will come in at you with its jaws open and not thinking at all! Calm, controlled play in the home is the way forward and be sure to let off proper steam in the garden or fields, not the home.
Due to the frequency of me discussing this issue with new puppy owners, this will be one of the most important videos in this mini-series, so I hope it goes some way to helping those that need it.
Sorry for the harsh lighting at times, plus my camera framing is off a little too. I really need a camera assistant! I am however sporting new slippers, which make up for just about everything.
Dog Behaviourist | Dog Trainer | Dog Expert Witness | Nick Jones MA
#dogbehaviourist #dogtrainer #puppytrainer

[@annepowell756]

really helpful video. looking forward to watching more...thankyou!

[@smashingturnips5353]

Good video. Thank you!!! 🙏 😊

[@lily-mai888]

I got a cockapoo 3 weeks ago and he will not stop biting this video was very helpful thank you 🙏

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

Glad it helped!

[@nativedee4458]

Your puppy is so calm. My puppy is a mental case at the moment. Im hoping once he goes out he will be more calmer. My puppy wint let go of anything when u say no biting he wont drop anything not unless u get a treat for him which i dint want to get into the habbit with him expecting a treat all the time but its the only thing that works at the moment

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

Check out my video on the hold and give as some of that work can at least address the understanding of the ‘Give’ or ‘Drop’ command.

[@JamieAlexanderONeill]

Just picked up my cockapoo. It’s 10 weeks old so still got 2 weeks before he’s allowed out once he gets all injections. This video was really helpful as I’m spending a lot of time with him and want to understand how to manage his behaviour.

[@nativedee4458]

I will try the sound thing maybe befor you say no biting to get his attention first.. Hopefully with consistency and the redirecting he'll improve

[@whitneyhoffer6432]

How do you recommend teaching children to interact with their puppy. I have a 3 and 5 year old and we are getting a cockapoo in 2 weeks. I’m a bit worried about the nipping and over activity.

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

Parental supervision at all times basically at that age. Stop play when you think it is heading into over excitement. Good luck and enjoy!

[@kickstkdacademy]

We have a 12 week old cocker spaniel. We are having problems getting him off the sofa and he goes very snappy when we try to take him off. Any suggestions.

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

Keep a short lead on him when you’re present to supervise and use the lead to bring off the sofa each time he jumps up. Blocking access in the first place is a better approach. Thanks.

[@lauralombardi4653]

I have the same puppy, however, she is more aggressive with her biting. Doesn't matter what I do she still comes for me...

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

Be form but fair. Avoid shouting or harshness but be firm. I often see pics that are not getting enough free running in the day, so ensure that the pup can run energy off in a secure open space 2-3 times per day.

[@hamper22]

Having the same problem with my Cockapoo. Now she can go for a walk it has helped. But she jumps ups and nips, the only think that helps is water, a squirt in the face. Now I just have to show her the bottle. I tried all the other methods but the did not work, worked on my last dogs. My new girl has attitude 😂 This is a cool video thank you 😊

[@hamper22]

Oh want to add other people are the problem in my family play to ruff with her, even when I tell them not to.

[@harryastongamer4447]

Help .... we have a 9 week old Cockapoo. We love him to bit but we can't stop him biting. I've watched your videos and have tried saying no biting and also putting toys in his mouth to try to stop him. He does this even more to by husband and so I wandered if there is anything else you could suggest. Me and my 9 year old son loved watching all your videos and watching how much Ruby has grown ! Thanks Emma

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

Just be careful that the pup is not being overly stimulated or played with in such a way that it becomes hyper and then harder to manage. There’s only so much I can offer here and you need a local trainer to look at it first hand?

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

So glad the videos helped thank you.

[@emmacrothers1953]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. So I took your advice and we have realised now that when he starts to go into his wild play mode we pop him in the crate just for a short time to calm down before we try again otherwise he just gets carried away. We are more conscious now about the way we play with him and try to keep things as calm as possible. Thanks again

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

Sounds a fair solution. When you do that, just be matter of fact and not verbally scold as we want the crate association to remain positive. He will settle down over the next 5 years or so :)

[@emmacrothers1953]

@@AlphaDogBehaviour hahah ye thanks for that Nick. I’m moving into the shed now 😂😂. Today has been a much better day. He’s been in the garden on his lead. Biting more on his toys than us and we have like you said just been matter of fact about popping him in the crate at times when he starts losing it and this seems to be working well so far. He might moan for a few mins but then has mostly just gone to sleep for a bit. Also found a man locally that is willing to come and see us to help with basic training etc which I think will be really good and give us more confidence with him. Just need to get rid of COVID now. It’s struck our whole family down in the last week. Thanks again for your advice. Really appreciate it 😄

[@israelayala1590]

My 12wk American Bully just gets more excited when I say NO BITING n bites me harder. I redirect with toys n he bites them for a while n comes bk to my feet or hands. And if I put a lead on him he'll eventually start biting that too. I even give him treats when he stops biting me but that only works for a little while. I rub his belly like in this vid n he keeps trying to bite me. I pet him around his ears n head like you n he just tries to bite me too. Trying what alot of these trainers say to do but nothing really works. He is awesome though when I am training him with treats. He sits, stays, lays down, turns around, comes, walks between my legs on command, shakes my hand, leaves his treats until I say OK, heels pretty good, lets me inspect his eyes, teeth, ears, paws on LET ME SEE command, looks at me directly on command, touches my hands with nose on command, will NOT bite his lead on LEAVE IT command, so I know he is smart n learning. But once the treats are done so is most of his attention. N he really doesn't like cuddle time, just starts nipping at my hands n my face if I try for kisses. Im at a loss

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

I would search for and work with a local trainer. At some stages videos don’t help and direct help is required. Good luck and keep up the good work.

[@jooled2u]

Why would you give a lesson on curbing biting with puppy already trained?

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

Because all the videos are a documented journey of my own dog, not an unruly puppy as such. She was never too bad on that front. Sorry to disappoint.

[@RosssJohnMatthew]

I think it’s a fantastic and informative video. Really enjoying your videos and finding your channel very helpful having a 9 week old cockapoo ourselves!

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

Thank you Ross.

[@mrterryboorman288]

Hi we have a 9 week old cockapoo, she loves to bite and we are having trouble trying to stop her biting us, is there any tips please, when she bites us we say no and walk out of the room for a minute and come back in and ignore her. Is this the right thing to do. There is so many different things on the internet so confusing. Hope you can help many thanks.

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

Have you seen the specific video in the series addressing this aspect? Thanks.

[@Libby-ss1de]

No that is so wrong :) U defo just have to say stop! Then give her/him a toy to bite on

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

Please keep in mind that there is rarely a single way to address such issues. What works for one dog may not work for another. Right or wrong is not always that clear and sometimes a little experimentation is required. Thanks for the comments.

[@christophersmith4156]

Hurry up

[@Dplaysitcool]

Try telling a 5 year old boy, not to over stimulate the puppy...

[@AlphaDogBehaviour]

I hear you. Ongoing supervision and direction giving is the way.

[@joe80ss]

This is why they say if you have young kids don't get a puppy until they old enough.

[@bevkaveri3916]

​@AlphaDogBehaviour yep...we got a dog when our youngest was 10!