Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting milestone—but it often comes with a few growing pains. One of the most common challenges new dog owners face is dealing with biting and chewing. While it might seem like your puppy is turning into a tiny terror, these behaviors are perfectly natural during early development. With patience, consistency, and the right strategies, you can guide your pup toward more appropriate ways to interact with the world.

Why Puppies Bite and Chew

Understanding the reasons behind your puppy’s biting and chewing helps you manage it more effectively. Puppies explore with their mouths, much like human babies. Chewing helps relieve the discomfort of teething (which usually occurs between 3 to 6 months old), and biting is often part of how puppies play with each other and learn social boundaries.

However, without guidance, these behaviors can persist or worsen, leading to problems down the road.

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1. Provide Appropriate Chew Toys

One of the simplest and most effective ways to redirect unwanted chewing is to provide safe, satisfying alternatives. Invest in a variety of chew toys made for puppies—especially ones designed for teething. Look for:

• Rubber toys (like KONGs) that can be stuffed with treats or frozen
• Soft plush toys for light chewers
• Rope toys that are durable and interactive

Rotate the toys to keep your puppy interested, and always supervise initially to ensure the toys are safe and intact.

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2. Use Positive Reinforcement

Praise your puppy every time they chew on an appropriate item. This helps reinforce the behavior you want to see. Likewise, calmly remove off-limits items and redirect your puppy to a toy, then praise or reward them when they engage with it.

Consistency is key—don’t allow chewing on old shoes or socks “just this once,” or you’ll send mixed signals.

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3. Teach Bite Inhibition

Bite inhibition is a crucial skill puppies need to learn—basically, how to control the pressure of their bite. If your puppy bites you during play:

• Say “Ouch!” loudly and pull your hand away.
• Stop play immediately for 10-30 seconds.
• Resume play only when your puppy is calm.

This mimics how puppies naturally learn boundaries from their littermates. Avoid yelling or physical punishment—it can create fear and make biting worse.

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4. Give Plenty of Exercise and Mental Stimulation

A bored or under-exercised puppy is far more likely to act out with chewing and biting. Make sure your puppy gets:

• Regular playtime and walks appropriate for their age and breed
• Puzzle toys or treat-dispensing toys
• Basic training sessions to engage their mind

A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy.

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5. Puppy-Proof Your Home

Just like you would baby-proof for a toddler, limit your puppy’s access to valuables and dangers. Keep shoes, cords, remote controls, and toxic plants out of reach. Use baby gates or exercise pens to create a safe play space when you can’t supervise directly.

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6. Know When to Seek Help

If your puppy’s biting seems aggressive, escalates despite your best efforts, or becomes a safety concern, don’t hesitate to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. Early intervention can prevent long-term issues.

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Final Thoughts

Biting and chewing are normal puppy behaviors, but they don’t have to drive you crazy. With the right approach, your furry friend will learn what’s okay to chew—and what’s off-limits. Be patient, consistent, and encouraging, and remember: this phase won’t last forever. Before you know it, those razor-sharp teeth will be a distant memory, replaced by a well-mannered companion.