Why Does My Puppy Bite During Play — and What Can I Do About It?

If you're reading this with little scratch marks on your hands, I totally get it. Puppy teeth are razor sharp, and it feels like they're constantly looking for a chance to test them on your skin. The good news — you're not alone, and the fact that your puppy bites doesn't mean they're aggressive or that something's wrong with them.

In fact, it's quite the opposite. It just means one thing — they're a puppy.

Biting Is Normal — and That's Important to Understand

Before we get into what to do, I want to make one thing clear that new owners often get wrong: a puppy biting during play is completely normal behaviour. It doesn't mean they're dominant, aggressive, or a "bad dog." It just means they're a puppy — just like small children explore the world through their mouths, so do puppies.

So take a breath. This is not a disaster.

Why Do They Bite?

The main reasons are usually these:

1. They want your attention and want to play Your puppy simply wants to spend time with you, and biting is the quickest way to make that happen. They've figured out — I bite, my owner reacts. Mission accomplished.
2. Overtiredness Yes, tired puppies bite more, not less. Just like a child who's had a very full day and can't wind down at bedtime and starts acting out — the same thing happens with dogs. Often in the evening, right before bed, there's an emotional "explosion" — they run around, act crazy, and bite. That's a sign of tiredness, not bad intentions.
3. Teething Puppies lose their baby teeth from around 3 to 6 months of age. Their gums are itchy, and they're simply looking for something to chew on. Usually it's furniture and shoes that suffer most, but sometimes your hands are the target too.

What NOT to Do When Your Puppy Bites

Before we talk solutions — one thing I really want you to avoid: don't shout "no!", "ugh!", "stop it!" and definitely don't smack them.

I understand the instinct — react loudly so they know it's wrong. But in reality, it either changes nothing or — in the worst case — makes your puppy afraid of you. And a relationship built on fear isn't a good relationship — not with a dog, not with anyone.

And even if they stop biting for a moment after you shout, the problem isn't solved. They didn't get attention, they don't know how to ask for it properly, and they're still tired or overexcited. So within a few minutes, it'll happen again — or they'll switch to chewing furniture, stealing slippers, or terrorising the kids.

What TO Do — Two Methods That Work

Method 1: Redirect to a Toy

The moment your puppy goes to bite, actively move a toy along the floor, run away from them, throw it — make it interesting. If they switch to the toy, start playing with them.

They'll gradually learn: hands and feet are not for biting, toys are for biting.

This method works well, but there's one catch — puppies often come to bite because they're very overstimulated, and what they actually need is to calm down, not get even more worked up. After an active play session, they might come back to bite again. So this method works best combined with the second one.

Method 2: Redirect to Licking (My Favourite)

This one is simple but very effective. Smear your hand with something tasty — cottage cheese, pâté, wet food. Your puppy starts licking, you pet them, talk to them. They get attention and physical contact (which is just as important to dogs as it is to us), but without the biting.

The moment they do switch to biting — quickly pull your hand away, cut all contact and "be offended" for about 10–15 seconds. Then offer them your hand to lick again.

Gradually your puppy learns: licking = attention and affection, biting = everyone disappears and it's boring.

Since your attention is one of the biggest things your puppy wants, they'll very quickly choose licking. And you get the cuddles without the bloodshed.

But Most Importantly: Prevent the Problem in the First Place

Here's the main truth I want you to take away: how much and how intensely your puppy bites depends mostly not on what you do in the moment, but on how fulfilling their daily life is.

If your puppy gets good walks, enough sleep, playtime, and a consistent routine — they'll be much calmer at home, and biting incidents will be far fewer.

So pay attention to these things:

• Walks — quality walks are the foundation. A well-exercised dog sleeps, not wreaks havoc.
• Routine — waking up, eating, going outside at roughly the same time each day. When your puppy has a predictable rhythm, they're calmer and you can anticipate when the "active period" is coming.
• Active time after naps — when your puppy wakes up, know that an active period is coming. Offer play, interact with them. After playing, switch to licking or a Kong toy to calm them down — don't leave them in an overexcited state.
• Kong or similar toy — if you're short on time, smear a Kong with cottage cheese or pâté (not stuffed full of treats — your dog will overeat). While they work through licking it clean, enough time passes, they're occupied and calm down.

There's No Magic Pill — But There Is a Process

I wish I could give you one trick that makes your puppy stop biting immediately. But there isn't one. This is a process that takes time, consistency and — yes — time spent with your dog.

If you got a puppy, you also signed up for this work. But I promise — when it all comes together, when your puppy falls asleep calmly after a good walk and a play session, and you can actually relax too — it's absolutely worth it.

If your puppy hasn't had their vaccinations yet and you're wondering why they're so bitey and restless - make sure to also read my post on what age you can start taking your dog outside, and about separation anxiety. Often, biting is just a symptom, not the problem itself.