Needle-sharp teeth on hands and ankles and a chewed shoe are standard puppy experiences. Dogs Trust describes puppy mouthing as completely natural and says most puppies grow out of it, while PDSA stresses that chewing is part of being a dog. Both charities say the solution is redirection and meeting the puppy’s needs, not punishment. This guide summarises Dogs Trust’s guidance on mouthing, nipping and biting and PDSA’s guidance on training dogs not to chew. It is general welfare information, not veterinary or behaviour advice. It complements this site’s guides to positive reinforcement training and to toilet training a puppy.
Why puppies mouth and chew
Dogs Trust says puppies explore and play with their mouths, and that mouthing is often linked to overexcitement, frustration and pain. Teething is one cause. Baby teeth appear at about four weeks and begin to fall out at about 12 weeks, gums can be sore and sensitive, and chewing can be soothing. Adult teeth usually all come through by about seven months, though this varies with size and other factors, and signs such as drooling or finding lost teeth are normal.
PDSA adds other reasons dogs chew: boredom, learned attention seeking, distress or frustration, and medical causes. It calls it a myth that dogs chew to annoy or out of spite, saying they just need to chew something and may lack safe options. A change in chewing habits is a reason to visit a vet. Dogs Trust likewise says sudden or increased biting or mouthing can be linked to pain or illness, and that overtired puppies, which need 18 to 20 hours of sleep a day, often show mouthing and “zoomies”.
What to do in the moment
Dogs Trust gives a four-step response when a puppy puts its teeth on a person:
- stay still, and drop any toy or put it out of sight;
- if mouthing continues, turn away and cross the arms, withdrawing attention;
- if that fails, move away, using a door or stair gate if the puppy follows and mouths at feet or clothes; and
- once the puppy is calm, reward it by restarting the game, picking up the toy, scattering treats or offering a gentle fuss.
It adds that the puppy will learn that mouthing means the fun ends, and that everyone in the household should follow the same rules, because consistency helps learning. It advises against pulling hands, arms, legs or clothing away quickly, because that can turn the behaviour into a game, and against punishment such as raised voices or pushing the dog down, which can increase frustration and fear. The charity also recommends spotting the signs that a puppy is about to play, such as bouncing, pouncing or batting with paws, and offering a suitable toy first. It adds that rough games or letting a puppy mouth hands teach it that mouthing is acceptable.
Safe chews and toys
PDSA says a dog caught chewing something it should not should not be punished, since punishment can make it scared and teach it to chew when no one is around. Instead, distract it with a safe toy and praise it for chewing the toy. PDSA gives these criteria for a safe chew toy:
- designed for chewing, since soft toys, tug ropes, tennis balls and frisbees are for supervised play only;
- soft enough to indent with a fingernail, because anything harder risks fractured teeth or bleeding gums;
- bigger than the dog’s throat, so the whole toy cannot fit in the mouth; and
- safe if pieces are accidentally swallowed.
It advises against rawhide, which can splinter and potentially hurt a dog. Dogs Trust suggests rotating three or four toys at a time so they seem new, replacing damaged ones so they do not cause a blockage if swallowed, and offering a stuffed feeder, licking mat or long-lasting chew after exciting events to encourage calming behaviour. Items that could harm a dog, including poisons, should be kept out of reach, and Dogs Trust says to seek veterinary advice immediately if a dog has swallowed a non-food item or chewed anything that may be toxic.
Meeting the puppy’s other needs, and when to get help
Both charities link mouthing and chewing to unmet needs. Dogs Trust recommends short, ten-minute activities through the day, a routine with downtime after walks, play and training, and enough sleep. PDSA recommends daily exercise and playtime, and says not to regularly leave a dog alone for more than four hours, with some dogs unable to manage even that.
Dogs Trust says that when teething finishes, at around seven months, mouthing is typically much reduced, but there is no magic age. It says a puppy that mouths is different from a dog that bites aggressively, which usually shows tense body language, bared teeth and often growling, and that biting at any age can signal a dog that is worried or overwhelmed. If biting does not improve, if fear or frustration seems to be the cause, or if it improves and then returns, the advice is to contact its free Behaviour Support Line or a vet; PDSA suggests an accredited behaviourist for persistent chewing.
FAQs
Should a puppy be told off for biting?
No. Dogs Trust says avoid punishment, because raised voices or pushing the dog down can increase frustration and fear and worsen the behaviour.
Is mouthing always teething?
No. Dogs Trust lists over-excitement, play, fear, frustration, tiredness and pain as other causes, and advises a vet check for sudden or increased biting.
The bottom line
For puppies, Dogs Trust and PDSA agree on a calm, consistent approach: redirect mouths onto suitable toys, withdraw attention when teeth touch skin, avoid punishment, provide chews that pass PDSA’s fingernail and throat-size tests, and meet the puppy’s needs for exercise, play and sleep. Teething typically ends around seven months. Persistent or worsening biting, signs of fear or a sudden change in behaviour call for a vet or a qualified behaviourist.
Sources
- Mouthing, nipping and puppy biting: causes and how to stop it safely (dogstrust.org.uk)
- How to train my dog not to chew things (pdsa.org.uk)
- Destructive behaviour in dogs: how to stop it (dogstrust.org.uk)