There is nothing like a cute puppy. Everyone loves the new four-legged member of the family — until that first nip. Suddenly, the puppy is not so fun, especially if the biting continues and becomes more and more frequent.
Part of being a dog owner is raising a puppy with bite inhibition. Knowing when a puppy is likely to bite can help you prepare them and prevent the situation, so they grow up to be good canine citizens. Here are 15 times a puppy is most likely to bite and how to avoid it.
When a Child Pulls on Your Puppy’s Tail or Ears
Getty Images
Pain is a big reason that any dog bites, regardless of age.
A child pulling on a puppy’s tail or ears may cause them to bite as a pain response.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
Teach children how to appropriately and nicely pet a dog.
This means teaching them to avoid ears and tail and to pet them down the back or on the chest instead.
Your Puppy’s Startled by Sudden Movements
Getty Images
Some puppies are naturally more skittish than others.
Those that are can bite out of fear if you suddenly reach toward them.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
At first, move slowly around your puppy, and use your voice so they know you are there.
Then, use positive reinforcement and classic conditioning — where you pair something scary with something your puppy likes, like food — to get them used to sudden movements.
Your Puppy Is Grabbed Around the Middle
Getty Images
Puppies are cute and fluffy, and it’s easy to want to just grab them and pick them up.
For some puppies, this can be scary, causing them to bite.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
Get down to the puppy’s level, and let them come to you instead of reaching toward them.
Scoop them up securely in your arms, and then get up. This makes the sudden trip through the air much less scary.
Your Puppy Gets Too Excited During Play
Getty Images
A puppy’s main way to explore the world and play is with its mouth.
Sometimes, when playing with humans, they get too excited in their play and go to bite.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
The best way to avoid this is to watch your puppy for signs of getting too excited during play — barking, quick movements, spinning their body away from you while putting their mouth near your hands or arms — and stop play before the bite happens.
After the puppy has calmed down, play can resume.
Your Puppy Is Teething
Getty Images
Just like humans, puppies teethe, and when they do, they want to put their mouth on everything because chewing relieves the pain and gets those teeth through those gums.
They may bite purely by accident while trying to find something to chew.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
Have plenty of chew toys around while your puppy is teething, and give your puppy one of those instead of your hand.
Like human babies, puppies often like something that has been frozen — carrots are great — as the cold helps with the pain.
Your Puppy Is Chasing You and Gets Excited
Getty Images
If you have a herding breed puppy, then this is something you will deal with at some point.
Your kid runs, and that puppy is right as their heels, often nipping.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
Knowing that you have a herding breed pup, you’ll want to be ready to show your child what to do if the puppy chases after them — and that’s to STOP!
If the puppy still goes to bite, it’s time to go into another room for a break. Once they are calm, allow them back with the kids again.
The Groomer Is Trying to Groom Your Puppy
Getty Images
Going to the groomers can be a scary thing for a puppy. A stranger is not only handling them up high on a table but is also pulling on their coat or using loud clippers.
This is enough to make a puppy bite out of fear.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
Handle your puppy a lot as you as soon as you bring them home.
Getting them used to brushes and the feel and noise of the clippers in a place where they are comfortable will go a long way toward preventing potential fear bites on their first grooming trip.
Vet Examination
Getty Images
Like the groomer, the vet is a scary place for puppies.
It smells weird, and the vet touches them and does all sorts of things that can scare a puppy into feeling like they have to bite.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
Again, it’s all about preparing your puppy by handling them in all the ways the vet will, so they are more used to it the first time they go to the vet.
This includes inspecting the ears, handling the paws and gentle restraint.
Your Puppy Has Been Held for Too Long
Getty Images
It’s easy to want to sit and cuddle a cute puppy for a long time, but they have short attention spans and like to move.
A puppy that is being forced to stay in someone’s lap may get frustrated, and the only way a puppy knows to tell you this is with his teeth.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
Don’t hold your puppy for too long. If they start to squirm and bark, you’re too late.
Let them go before they get to the point in which they want to get away from you.
A Stranger Approaches Your Puppy’s Face
Getty Images
It’s inevitable that someone is going to come right up to your cute puppy and reach their hand right into their face.
Some puppies are fine with it, and others let people know they are not by biting.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
While you can definitely try and ask people to not come up to your puppy’s face, the reality is someone is going to do it at some point.
You can help your puppy prepare by using positive reinforcement and classical conditioning to get them used to hands coming at and touching their face.
You Reach for Their Food Bowl While They Are Eating
Getty Images
Some dogs are prone to resource guarding, especially when it comes to their food.
Even at a very young age, some puppies will start to growl and even snap at you if you put your hand toward their food while they are eating.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
If you’ve heard growling or seen your puppy freeze when you approach their bowl, teach those in your household to not bug your puppy while they’re eating — it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Then, work with a trainer to handle this behavioral issue, which can become serious if not addressed.
You Try and Take a Toy From Your Puppy
Getty Images
Resource guarding can also happen with toys or chews.
A child may innocently try and take a toy near a puppy and end up getting bit.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
Teach the humans in the household to not snatch toys away from your dog, whether they are in their mouth or laying near them.
Work with a trainer on trade games, where your dog learns to trade you what they have for something they like even better.
Your Puppy Bites When Toweled Off After Bath
Getty Images
Toweling off a puppy can end in bloody fingers if your puppy gets overexcited or scared by the process.
Some puppies may think the towel is a toy and that your hand is accidentally in the way, while others may bite to get the scary thing to stop touching them.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
In both cases, do not towel your puppy off roughly and quickly.
Instead, start practicing toweling them when they are dry, by doing light, quick passes followed by a reward for good behavior.
Your Puppy Bites When Nails Are Being Trimmed
Getty Images
Nail trimming is another traumatic experience for a lot of puppies, but it’s also something they must have done the rest of their life.
A puppy who is not introduced to nail clipping correctly will often end up being a biter that needs to be muzzled for every nail clip.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
Getty Images
Start before your puppy ever needs a trim by getting them used to having their feet touched, handled and held.
Give rewards for good behavior with this, and then get them used to the feeling of pressure on their nail and the sensation of a file.
Your Puppy Is Touched While Sleeping
Getty Images
A dog that is fast asleep may be surprised to suddenly find itself being touched by a human.
For some puppies, this is enough to cause them to bite out of fear or surprise.
How to Avoid a Puppy Bite
PK-Photos / Getty Images
“Let sleeping dogs lie” is an old adage that is as true today as it was back then. Teach your kids to not go up and touch the puppy while they are sleeping.
If you need to get your puppy up, call their name first, and wait for those eyes to open so they see you coming.