Course

Puppy Biting

Survive (and end) the land-shark phase.

Puppy biting peaks between 10 and 20 weeks. It's normal, it's developmental, and it ends — faster if you redirect rather than punish.

8 modules ~33 min
0% complete

Modules

  1. 01Why Puppies BiteUnderstanding the developmental driver makes the behavior much easier to manage.4 min·Beginner
  2. 02Redirection That WorksStop trying to make the puppy not bite. Give them something better to bite, instead.5 min·Beginner
  3. 03The Yelp + Leave ProtocolWhen redirection fails: a calm, consequence-based response that teaches bite inhibition.4 min·Beginner
  4. 04The Overtired PuppyThe #1 hidden cause of explosive evening biting: a puppy who needs sleep, not training.4 min·Beginner
  5. 05Puppy Biting and KidsChildren are bite magnets — high-pitched voices, fast movement, low height. Special protocol required.5 min·Intermediate
  6. 06Teething ReliefThe 3–6 month window when adult teeth push baby teeth out. Physical discomfort = more biting.4 min·Beginner
  7. 07Common MistakesThe five things that make biting worse, often dramatically.4 min·Intermediate
  8. 08Graduation ChecklistWhat 'done with biting' actually looks like.3 min·Beginner

The plan

  1. 01Always have a chew toy within arm's reach to redirect to
  2. 02Yelp 'ouch!' and freeze when bitten too hard — most puppies pause
  3. 03If biting continues, calmly stand and walk away for 10 seconds
  4. 04Confirm your puppy is getting enough sleep — overtired puppies bite
  5. 05Provide frozen Kongs and lick mats for teething relief

Common mistakes

  • Hitting, scruffing, or 'alpha rolling' — escalates aggression and damages trust
  • Wrestling games that teach hands are toys
  • Mistaking overtired biting for bad behavior

FAQ

When does puppy biting stop?
Most puppies stop drawing blood by 4–5 months and are essentially done by 6–7 months when adult teeth are fully in.