When will my puppy stop biting and nipping everything during play?

Question

Our 11 week old Basenji puppy is great overall, however she mouths and nips a lot, especially when playing. She goes for hands, loose clothing, tied shoelaces, anything! I know she’s just a puppy and people tell me it’s just a phase but I’m afraid that if we leave this unchecked it will get worse. When do puppies typically stop behaving like this? Pet's info: Dog | Basenji | Female | spayed | 2 months and 21 days old | 20 lbs

Jessica Keay, DVM · Accepted Answer

Congratulations on your new puppy! What a cutie. This is a normal but frustrating puppy behavior! I would highly recommend reviewing this article by veterinary behaviorist Sophia Yin https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/puppy_play_leads_to_nip_marks_on_hands_and_arms/ for strategy on how to deal with this problem. I would also recommend her book Perfect Puppy in 7 Days. It is a great resource for puppy owners, as is The Puppy Primer by Patricia McConnell. How long this behavior lasts depends on the puppy and how quickly you work on training, but it is not uncommon for several months if the behavior is not addressed.

When will my puppy stop biting and nipping everything during play?

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