Bite Inhibition in Puppies

Puppies all seem to be "jaws on four legs". It seems all a puppy does is eat, sleep, poop and BITE. Be grateful you puppy does bite now. While he is young, a puppy's jaws are weak, but his teeth are as sharp as needles. These needle sharp teeth are the most valuable asset your puppy has in learning how to inhibit his bite. During play-fighting with other puppies, a puppy learns just how hard he can bite down. If he bites too hard, he will be met with a loud yelp and the play will stop instantly. Both the yelp and the instant stop of play will teach him to bite softer.

Owners become the surrogate playmates in this learning game because puppies are placed into human social groups prior to receiving their adult teeth. It is essential for puppies to learn to inhibit their bite with humans. Owners need to realize that play-biting is essential in developing a safe adult dog. However, this play-biting must be channeled correctly and appropriately in order to teach the pup to first bite softly, then not bite at all.

Stage 1: NO PAINFUL OR HARD BITES Let your puppy play-bite on your hand softly. Be sure he is only allowed to bite on your hand. When he bites a little too hard, you need to say "OW" with a sharp, high-pitched voice, and loudly. Be sure to freeze your hand. If you jerk your hand away, it will become a target and serve to increase the biting. The pup must back off on his own. Praise the pup the instant he backs off. Then resume play. Continue to play but be sure the biting is softer.

Avoid using gloves, as they decrease your sensitivity and increase the pressure of your puppy's bite. Additionally, be sure your pup is only play-biting on your hands, and never any other part of your body. Avoid clamping you hand around his muzzle and scolding. Such methods do not teach him to inhibit his bite but rather to focus more on his mouth as well as to bite and run.

Stage 2: NO PRESSURE During this stage, the rule is no pressure. If you feel any pressure, again say "OW" sharply, high-pitched, and loudly. Praise the pup when he backs off and again resume play. We are working toward the goal of not allowing the pup to put his mouth on you unless instructed to do so.

Stage 3: MOUTHING STOPS ON COMMAND During this stage, the rule is simple: the pup must STOP mouthing you instantly when he hears the work "OFF", or "DON'T TOUCH". Again, the pup can mouth your hands, and you should only feel gentle mouthing with no pressure. However, now you choose when the pup gets his mouth off of you. Softly say "OFF". If the pup does not respond by removing his mouth, use your correction of "OW" which needs to be said with a sharp, high-pitched voice, and loudly. Resume play after a short period of ignoring your puppy. Avoid physical punishment as it only serves to create an aggressive dog.

This is the final stage. Your pup should not mouth you unless you initiate it with a command such as "MOUTH", "TAKE", "GUM" or similar words. If at any time, the pup initiates mouthing, you need to tell him, "OFF'. The goal is to eliminate any use of the mouth on humans unless your puppy is given permission. This permission needs to be given at least once per week throughout your dog's life to assure that bite inhibition is always in place and understood. Always remember, the only part of the human that a dog is allowed to touch with is mouth is hands, and then only on command. Test bite inhibition on a regular basis with all family members.

Teaching Bite Inhibition will take 3 to 4 weeks. If at any time you are having problems or questions, please contact our office immediately. A dog who has learned the lesson of bite inhibition is a safe dog.

S. Hall 1995