How do I stop my 2-month-old puppy from biting my hands so much?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

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  Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

  Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

  Published on November 8th, 2016

  Yes, it will definitely change as he gets older :) Biting and mouthing during play is very normal behavior for puppies - this is how they explore the world, and how they instinctively want to play. This behavior normally resolves on its own with age as long as you aren't doing anything to encourage it. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to help. Make sure to provide a variety of different toys to provide an appropriate outlet for the biting and mouthing - long floppy rope or fleece toys for tugging, big plush toys for biting and carrying, and smaller toys or balls for chasing and fetching. Providing items to chew on like bully sticks, cow or pig ears, rawhide chews, or puzzle toys like a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter can also be helpful.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

  Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

  Published on March 25th, 2018

  In most cases, yes - biting and mouthing during play is a normal puppy behavior that resolves on its own with age. Occasionally, the behavior can persist into adulthood in some puppies who are easily over-aroused or have other emotional or behavioral issues. You can help Comino learn how to use his mouth appropriately by providing lots of different toys for him to play with, and redirecting him to one of his toys whenever he bites you during play. He should also have lots of different chew items such as bully sticks, rawhide chews, and puzzle toys such as a Kong stuffed with peanut butter. Most puppies are no longer biting and mouthing nearly as much by 8-10 months of age. If your pup does not show any signs of improvement after that age, or if the biting seems to be getting worse over time instead of better, then I would recommend getting in touch with a good reward-based trainer who can help you in person. You can search for a qualified trainer in your area here: www.ccpdt.org

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

  Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

  Published on November 23rd, 2016

  It's very normal for puppies this age to want to bite and use their mouths a lot - as you said, he's teething right now. This behavior will go away on its own as he gets older, but there are some things you can do in the meantime to help. Make sure that he has a variety of different toys to provide an appropriate outlet for this behavior - long floppy rope or fleece toys for tugging, plush toys for biting and carrying, and smaller toys or balls for chasing and fetching. You should also provide lots of options for chewing - things like bully sticks, cow or pig ears, rawhide chews, and puzzle toys like a Kong stuffed with peanut butter. If he bites you during play, just redirect him to one of his toys and use that to play with him instead. If you are petting him and he bites your hands, calmly stop petting and ignore him until he settles down. In most dogs, this behavior diminishes quite a bit after 6-7 months of age - so just be patient and consistent right now while he learns.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

  Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

  Published on November 20th, 2016

  This is very normal behavior for a puppy this age - all young puppies bite and mouth because this is how they explore the world, and how they instinctively want to play. This behavior will go away on its own as she grows up, but in the meantime there are a few things you can do to help. Make sure that she has a variety of different toys to provide an appropriate outlet for this behavior - long floppy rope or fleece toys for tugging, plush toys for biting and carrying, and smaller toys or balls for chasing and fetching. Providing lots of things to chew on will also help - things like bully sticks, cow or pig ears, rawhide chews, and puzzle toys such as a Kong stuffed with peanut butter. If you are playing with her and she bites you, just redirect her to one of her toys and use that to play with her instead. If she bites your hands when you pet her, calmly stop petting and wait for her to calm down. Be patient and consistent, just like you would with a human toddler - she will stop the mouthing as she grows and develops into an adult :)

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful