Help! How do I help my 13 week old puppy learn not to bite? Especially me/

[Kat Torrance]

Charlie is 13 weeks old and we love him to death. He is a very loving pup but loves to mouth or nip me. Ouch it hurts. Can anyone give me some tips on how to discourage him?

[Karen & Lucy]

I think just about everyone of us have gone through this with puppies. You are not alone. We all have different remedies as well. Lucy was VERY VERY mouthy as a pup. AND yes, it does hurt, those puppy teeth are very sharp. You do have to stop it though. I read alot about raising puppies and this is what I did. Some do not agree with it, but it did work. When she would start this, I would put one of her toys right in her mouth and say NO BITE. If she would continue, then I would put my hand over her snout and hold it down and say NO BITE. After awhile she got the idea. She did not do it anymore. Good Luck and enjoy Charlie.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

We do the same, Karen....Peri got the idea plus I think they start to grow out of this if you start out correcting.

[Adina P]

First your puppy is very normal and most likely this will go away on its own within a few weeks. I always want everyone to know that so they don't worry their dog is gonna turn into some psycho biter based on their nipping during young puppyhood. My husband's border collie bit someone on the forehead (required stitches) as a young pup but became very soft mouthed as she matured. My Rosco was Jaws incarnate for his first year (NOT usual, believe me he was a special case) and is incredibly gentle now as an adult. Most pups who are nip badly usually quit around 4 months more or less.

That said, there are some things you can do to curb this for now...just know that no ONE thing will make her suddenly stop for good...it's time and consistency (repeating something until you think you're going to explode because puppy doesn't always remember).

1) Be sure to let puppy know it HURTS---yelp like she tore your leg off and find a way to dramatically (but without scolding) leave her completely alone where she can't get to you for 30 seconds or so. Go to a different room, walk over the baby gate, etc. Or just YELP and then plop her in her crate (without any fuss or scolding. She'll learn "wow these humans are delicate" and "I lose all my friends when I bite them!"

2) Purposely stick your fingers/hands in her mouth to give her practice. YELP for only the hardest nip and stop all play when she does. Then repeat and gradually show yourself to be more and more sensitive ... so she learns teeth TOUCHING humans is a bad idea.

3) Get ready to distract her...if she starts getting nippy...distract her with a toy or practice some sits and downs, etc.

Here is a great puppy training book that is free online: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/puppymadness/forum/topics/free-do...

[Brewster's Mom]

I'm in the same boat. Brewster is a biter. Loves to chew on fingers, toes, whatever he can get. We try to be consistant but so far he hasn't quite learned. I'm just hoping he kinda grows out of it. He starts Puppy Kindergarten Sept. 4 so I'm hoping the teacher will have some good ideas and we can work on it. Good luck with Charlie!

[Maria & Sammy]

Yeah, closing the snout with a firm NO BITE every time did the trick for us. To this day Sam instantly understands NO BITE.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Finn is 15 weeks old and I have done all the things suggested here and he hardly ever does it anymore. These things do work.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

We are going through it right now with Charli. She has a very strong personality so when I tell her no bite, scream ouch, or tell her gentle she starts throwing a temper tantrum and starts marking at me. It is very, very hard not to laugh at her but I do control myself. I have been very consistent with letting her know it is just not acceptable behavior. She KNOWS it just chooses not to do it. I will win this battle!!!

[Sandy]

Toby bit and bit and bit me, and only me, as a puppy. Put me in tears more than once. The only thing that works for sure is to have the baby teeth fall out. :) While you wait for that, you can teach Charlie what being nice is by smearing a thin layer of peanut butter on the back of your hand, and while he licks it off tell him "Good Kisses". That way he may at least start to realize what a good touch as opposed to a "No Bite" is. Toby grew out of it - Charlie will too. It just feels like it takes FOREVER.,

[Julie Mison]

Agree with what has been said....it does get better! We did the "awt...!" real loud or walked away or gave a chew toy instead. Really recommend Bully sticks and flossies! We also had our puppies leash on him in the house in case we needed to correct him that way. Some say a spray bottle of water also works. Hang in there!

[diane]

I've been having the same problem with Ebony, she likes to nip and run away. I have tried turning around and she ends up nipping me in the behind. She runs away(she is a fast little puppy) and starts barking. She does this with everyone lately. She thinks it is a game. She has plenty of toys and gets a lot of exercise. She is very good on the leash but off the leash lately she becomes out of control. I have tried holding her snout but now she runs away and I can't catch her. I have also yeld no bite and she doesn't stop. She knows the sit command but does not respond unless I have a treat for her or she is on the leash. I don't offer her a treat after the nipping since I don't want to encourage the bad behavior. Any other ideas???? This is all pretty new- 2 weeks or so. She is 16 weeks old.

[Sandy]

I would put an indoor leash on her, and leave it on all the time - unless she's crated, of course. Buy a cheap one at a dollar store, and cut off the loop so she doesn't get caught on anything. That way she can't get away from you - you don't have to catch her, you just have to be close enough to step on the end of the leash.

[Phoebe's Mom]

I have been keeping a leash on Phoebe as we are having a serious nip and jump problem with her--she is 7.5 months--especailly with my oldest son. Boy, she is fast...we find we are still trying to race to step on that leash. I hope this phase passes quickly.