1. Play with Your Puppy – Bite Work

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/96gtdtp4dfyhjjk302rbe/BITING-BiteWork-Play-with-your-puppy-CURRENT.docx?rlkey=vch42uci3zv5uqu81o6wr6yyj&st=cbt29e8a&dl=0

Why is My Puppy Biting Me? Because It's a Puppy!

OUCH! Hey That Hurts! Don’t do that!

Just like babies use their hands and mouths to explore, puppies use their mouths. They grab and want to feel everything they see. This exploratory behavior is essential for the healthy development of a gentle, well-adjusted dog.

One of the joys of having a puppy is playing with it! Unfortunately, many of us hold back because the puppy bites, and we're cautioned against encouraging biting. However, the dog's honest truth is: The best way to teach a puppy to have a soft mouth and eventually stop biting altogether is to first teach them to bite softly, and then reduce jaw pressure gradually.

Play with your pup! Why?

So you can provide immediate feedback like “Hey, OUCH, that hurts!” We want to communicate: When you bite me, playtime stops, and I leave the room. Not forever, just for about 10 seconds. Repeat this at least 10 times or until you see a noticeable change in the biting behavior.

Training Steps

PPPBS - Proactive Puppy Play and Bite Sessions

Engage in play sessions daily, 3 to 5 times a day, for 5 to 10 minutes each. Don’t wait for the pup to come to you, especially during their high-energy times in the morning and evening. A common mistake is waiting for the puppy to initiate play, which often leads to biting at inconvenient times and places.

How Do I Get My Puppy to Have a Softer Mouth and Eventually Stop Biting?

  1. Start with a Toy: Actively engage your pup with a toy. Encourage them to chase and bite the toy. Occasionally, let your finger be in the pup's mouth while playing.
  2. React to Biting Immediately: As soon as you feel pressure from their teeth, express a sharp pain or surprise, like “HEY! That hurts!!!” Follow this by removing the toy or hiding it, perhaps under your shirt. This shows your pup that biting too hard ends the fun.
  3. Pause and Resume: After removing the toy, pause for about 10 to 20 seconds. This break reinforces that biting stops play. Then, encourage your pup to “Try Again” and continue playing, gradually increasing the playtime.
  4. Observe and Repeat: Keep this up during play sessions until you see a significant reduction in your pup's biting pressure and frequency. Remember, puppies start fresh each day, so consistency is key. Within a week, you should notice a marked improvement in their behavior.

Additional Tips: