by Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA

Created on: April 01, 2010   Last Updated: June 29, 2010

Nipping and play biting may be  typical behaviors observed primarily in puppies during puppy hood, but if not redirected and corrected on time, these behaviors may persist well into adult hood. Of course, at this point the small milk teeth found in young pups will have eventually fallen out being replaced by the razor sharp permanent teeth potentially known to cause substantial damage to a human's skin. Fortunately, there are many effective ways to stop a young puppy or older dog from play biting or nipping.

How to Stop Play Biting or Nipping in Dogs

When puppies are left with the mother and litter mates for a sufficient amount of time, they learn important social rules that will shape their future as a dog. Indeed, among these social skills is a very important lesson: bite inhibition. This lesson is taught when the puppies are around the age of five to eight weeks of age. Indeed, it is highly recommended to avoid separating a puppy from its mother and litter mates before eight weeks of age because by doing so he will be deprived of these important lessons. 

What really happens is that at this critical stage, puppies learn a great deal about bite inhibition when playing with their litter mates and mom. If one observes carefully, it will be noticed that at times a bold puppy will play and bite hard a litter mate. The poor litter mate will therefore yelp in pain and withdraw from the game. The biter therefore will bite again and the puppy will react in the same way, squealing in pain and ignoring the puppies further attempts to play. The biting puppy at this point learns that biting hard is not acceptable. The message is clear: ''If you play rough, you will lose a play mate and that's no fun''.

This message is further absorbed when the mother shows she will not take rough play as well. Upon being bit by a pup, the mother will take the pup by the scruff and shake him until he submits or will lay a paw on him and pin him to the ground until he stays still. The puppies at this point will shriek but they are not hurt, just surprised. The lesson is learned quickly,  softer mouths are on the way.

If you own a puppy that has been taken away from its litter mates too early, it is up to you to teach bite inhibition. You do not have to resort to shaking him or pinning him down. Rather, simply squeal 'ouch' and turn around without giving any attention. The puppy will learn that in order to play with you he will have to resort to his ''soft mouth''. 

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