Puppy biting and chewing
Ask your vet about your own pet. This page is general information from the sources below.
The ASPCA says mouthing is normal for puppies, but they need to learn that people have sensitive skin. When a bite is too hard, the ASPCA suggests a high yelp and a short break from play, plus chew toys. It says to avoid hitting or slapping, and says teething chewing usually ends by about six months.
Checked October 29, 2026.
Why puppies mouth and chew
The ASPCA says puppies explore and play with their mouths. The main goal is to teach 'bite inhibition,' which means learning to control how hard to bite.
It also says chewing is normal and helps with teething pain. Chewing gets stronger when adult teeth come in, and this usually ends by about six months of age.
What to do when teeth touch skin
The ASPCA suggests a high-pitched yelp, letting your hand go limp, and praising gentle mouthing. Repeat this no more than three times in 15 minutes.
If yelping does not work, ignore the puppy for about 10 to 20 seconds or step away. Another option is a 30 to 60 second time-out any time teeth touch skin.
Offer chew toys, and play with a toy instead of hands. The ASPCA also says supervised play with other puppies and vaccinated adult dogs helps.
Give good things to chew
The ASPCA says to put away shoes, clothes, and books, and to give appropriate chew toys, switching them every couple of days. Frozen toys or a frozen wet washcloth can soothe sore gums.
If the puppy chews something wrong, calmly interrupt, offer an approved chew, and praise. Ask your vet if a chew is safe, since strong chewers can chip teeth or swallow pieces.
What not to do
AVSAB says training works best when it teaches the dog what to do, and that reward-based methods should be used instead of aversive ones. The ASPCA says slapping, hitting, scruff shaking, or poking the mouth is a bad idea, and it warns against scolding after the fact, because the puppy cannot connect it to what it did earlier.
When to call the vet
The ASPCA says to get professional help if biting seems scared or aggressive, such as a stiff body, pulled-back lips, growling, or bites much harder than playful ones. Ask a vet or an animal behaviorist. Also ask your vet about chew safety, or if chewing seems compulsive.
For the children
Ages 4-6: With a grown-up, hold a chew toy out when the puppy gets nibbly and say 'oops, chew this.' Ages 7-10: Help put away socks and shoes, rotate the chew toys, and play gentle games where toys, not hands, are the fun part.
"If the puppy nibbles you, stay calm, say 'ouch,' stop the game for a moment, and hand it a toy."
This is general information from the sources below, not veterinary advice, and it doesn’t replace a trainer or a behaviorist who can see your puppy.
Sources
- ASPCA: Mouthing, Nipping and Biting in Puppies (checked October 29, 2026)
- ASPCA: Destructive Chewing (checked October 29, 2026)
- AVSAB: Position Statement on Humane Dog Training (checked October 29, 2026)