Mouthing, nipping and puppy biting: causes and how to stop it safely
If your adult dog is nipping, or your puppy won’t stop mouthing, follow our top tips to help stop the behaviour.
Mouthing and biting are normal puppy behaviours that most pups grow out of. However, it can be a difficult time, and adult dogs who mouth or bite can be more challenging to manage.
The behaviour is often linked to overexcitement, frustration, and pain. There are steps you can take right now to curb your dog's mouthing and redirect them to appropriate items. Long-term improvement comes from meeting your dog's biological, physical, emotional, social, and mental needs.
Once you understand why your dog is using their mouth to communicate you’re one step closer to solving the problem behaviour. With the right support you and your dog can be on the right track in no time.
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Need help now? We're here for you.
Are you struggling with your dog mouthing, nipping or biting? Give our friendly team of qualified experts a call for free.
Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 7:30pm; Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays 9.30am to 5pm.
Tips while waiting for help
Make sure your dog’s physical and mental needs are met. Sleep is just as important as exercise.
If specific triggers or situations cause your dog to mouth, nip, or bite, avoid these as much as possible for now.
Keep age-appropriate toys and dog-friendly chews on hand to offer your dog as an alternative to interrupt the behaviour.
If your dog is biting aggressively or causing physical harm to people, contact us as soon as possible.
If you or someone you know is injured, get medical advice right away.
What happens on the call
When you call our Behaviour Support Line, our team will listen carefully, offer practical advice, and help you find the best way forward for you and your dog.
Our trained experts keep up-to-date with the latest science and offer immediate, personalised advice over the phone. We’ll ask a few questions about your dog and what’s been happening, and you’ll have the space to explain in your own words what you need help with. Whatever challenges you’re facing, you’ll get kind, non-judgemental support.
In many cases, a free telephone consultation will give you all the support you need. We’ll also follow up with an email so you have clear, helpful information to refer back to.
If needed, we may also recommend one of our other behavioural services. We’ll talk you through what this involves, answer any questions, and help you arrange the next steps.
Quick wins: what to do if your puppy or dog is biting right now
It can be difficult to tell if your dog is using their mouth to explore, play, or communicate excitement, or whether they’re biting aggressively. It’s okay if you’re unsure. Our Behaviour Support Line experts are available to talk it through with you.
- Make sure your dog’s physical and mental needs are met. Balance walks, play, and training to use your dog’s body and brain. Sleep is just as important as exercise.
- Provide suitable toys, chews and enrichment items for your dog to use. Focus on providing outlets for chewing and biting.
- After high energy and exciting events, encourage calming and soothing behaviours like sniffing, licking and chewing. Try a stuffed feeder, licking mat, or long-lasting chew.
- Plan and engage them in something before the behaviour starts. Preventing the behaviour is generally easier and safer than interrupting. If there are times when your dog is more likely to nip, mouth, or bite, be prepared with other activities.
- Avoid punishing your dog. It can be really challenging, but raised voices, or pushing your dog down can increase frustration and fear. This can make the behaviour worse in the long term and damage the relationship between you and your dog.
- Avoid pulling away hands, arms and legs quickly if your puppy or dog is mouthing and nipping at you. This can be exciting for dogs and turn it into a game. Instead, try to stay still and redirect your dog when there’s a brief pause in the behaviour.
- Avoid pulling clothing away to stop your dog from thinking you’re playing with them. Wearing thicker clothing helps you feel protected and reduces the instinct to pull away. Removing the item of clothing they’re pulling on, like a dressing gown or coat, will also stop the game.
- Redirect your dog’s mouth onto an age-appropriate toy, or dog-safe chew if you can. Keep options in different places around the house for quick and easy access. Supervise your dog while they use them.
- Create space if needed, especially to avoid injury. Step away or separate yourself briefly using baby gates or by going into another room. Return to your dog with a safe activity to do that provides an outlet for their heightened emotions.
These steps help in the moment, but long-term change comes from understanding why your dog is using their mouth in this way and addressing the cause.
Check out our advice on dog aggression if you have concerns that they’re biting aggressively, or you’re worried about getting hurt.
Why do dogs and puppies bite?
Dogs and puppies use their mouths to explore the world around them and play. This is called ‘mouthing’. Puppy mouthing, or puppy biting as it’s commonly referred to, is completely natural. However, this doesn’t mean it can’t cause problems and be tricky to live with.
As our dogs develop through their teenage years, and into adulthood, they still use their mouths. But if they haven’t learnt how to safely interact with us when they were puppies, it can become a problem. They’re still only trying to explore and express how they’re feeling - not deliberately trying to harm or scare us.
Dogs that behave aggressively look different to those that are mouthing, playing or puppy biting. They communicate their need for space by changing their body language and facial expressions. The most obvious sign is their lips being pulled back to bare their teeth. They will also be tense throughout their body, face and tail. They’re likely to (although not always) growl or bark before they bite. Dogs that act this way are normally trying to make something move away from them because they feel threatened or scared. It’s important to respond appropriately if your dog is displaying aggressive behaviours to avoid escalation and keep everyone safe.
In any situation, biting is not “bad behaviour” or your dog trying to dominate you. Understanding the reason behind your dog biting, or mouthing, is the first step to managing and stopping it safely.
Normal mouthing vs biting: how to tell the difference
It can be tricky to understand if your dog is mouthing or biting. The main difference is in the emotion which triggers the behaviour and the intent behind it – and that isn’t always easy to identify. The good news is, if you’re not sure, we’re here for you. We can help you understand if your dog is mouthing or biting, and why.
Dogs generally use mouthing when they have a lot of emotion they don’t know how to express. This could be positive, like excitement when playing, or negative, like worry when groomed.
When dogs are mouthing, they don’t usually apply full pressure, and the teeth are unlikely to make contact. If mouthing feels intense, hard to interrupt, or worrying, get support as soon as you can before it gets worse. There are always steps you can take and experts who can help you navigate the challenging times.
Biting is harder in pressure and can involve repeated grabbing or holding on, with contact from the teeth. Dogs display aggressive biting behaviour to communicate they need space immediately when feeling a negative emotion. Most dogs can bite in this way when they feel threatened. An aggressive bite will likely be combined with other signs of fear like growling, snarling, baring teeth and tension in the face and body.
Whilst it’s normal for dogs to mouth as puppies, and for some dogs to continue this when they’re older, biting at any age could signal that your dog is worried, scared or overwhelmed. It’s important to listen to them when they’re trying to communicate this to you and respond appropriately to keep everyone safe. If you’re concerned about your dog biting aggressively, we can support you and your dog to feel happier and more relaxed.
Common reasons why dogs bite or mouth
Teething
Puppies explore with their mouths and may mouth and chew more when they’re teething. Your puppy’s baby teeth appear before they leave mum at around four weeks old and begin to fall out at around 12 weeks. Gums can be sore and sensitive at this time, and chewing can be soothing.
Adult teeth usually all come through by the time they’re seven months old, but this can vary depending on their size and other factors. You might notice your puppy drooling more and even find lost puppy teeth around the house when they’re teething. Keep an eye on them for signs of discomfort and contact your vet if you have any concerns.
Over-excitement
It’s normal for dogs to get excited by things they enjoy, just like us. But when that excitement level builds, your dog might struggle to manage the excess emotion. Instead of keeping calm and showing relaxed behaviour, they might start grabbing things with their mouth. This can include clothing and, often, hands and arms. Mouthing in this case may be accompanied by your dog jumping up, spinning, or barking, and is likely to happen around things your dog enjoys. This could be people arriving home, when getting ready for a walk, or when they’re expecting food.
Play
Nipping is a quick bite with the front teeth that many dogs use during play – especially when excitement rises. Fast movements, rough games or high-energy moments can all trigger biting like this. If you’ve seen your dog nipping at other dogs during play, it’s probably when they’re in a game of chase, and adrenaline is flowing. Repeated nipping or when one dog doesn’t seem to be having fun is a sign that excitement might have gotten too high, and a break is needed.
Some dogs may use gentle mouthing when playing with other dogs to start a game or enjoy rough and tumble play. When both dogs are enjoying this type of play, they will take it in turns to mouth one another and they’ll be using their mouth in the same way. This is normal doggy play and nothing to worry about.
Healthy play should also have short breaks so dogs can calm. This reduces the chances of play getting too intense and nipping and mouthing getting too hard or uncontrolled. Some dogs may need you to add breaks in for them while they learn how to play appropriately.
Some puppies and older dogs may also nip and mouth when inviting us to play. Your dog doesn’t know this isn’t friendly, as it’s normal communication to them. For example, your dog might grab your hand or arm, rather than their toy, during a game of tug. Other dogs might nip at your feet, then run away to ask you to chase them. You can probably spot if your dog is trying to play with you, as their body will be wiggly and loose. We need to teach our dogs how to play with us in ways that don’t involve nipping or biting. Even though they don’t mean to hurt us, human skin and doggy teeth don’t mix.
Stress or fear
Dogs may bite when they feel overwhelmed, worried or prevented from doing something they want. Aggressive behaviour, including biting, may be used when they’re scared to get something to move away from them. For example, if approached by another dog they fear, they may try to bite them to get them to go away. By learning your dog’s body language, you can step in when they first start to feel worried and help them feel safer. This should keep them from needing to bite to show how they feel.
Sometimes, when dogs are fearful, and they can’t get the space they need, they could turn and nip or bite you instead. This is known as redirected aggression.
Frustration
Dogs experience frustration when their expectations aren’t met, or they can’t move towards, or away, from something. This could be another dog they want to say hello to, a noisy car on the road during their on-lead walk, or some tasty food on the other side of the kitchen door.
Frustration is a natural emotional response from a dog not being able to get to what they want, but high levels of frustration can cause unwanted behaviours. If your dog has a build-up of frustration, they might express this by mouthing and biting you, their lead, your clothing, or even their own tail or legs. Other common frustrated behaviours include jumping up, barking and whining.
Ultimately, frustration is an emotion-based stress response and mouthing and biting are physical actions for relief of the build-up.
Pain or medical issues
Sudden or increased biting, mouthing or nipping in any circumstance can be linked to pain or illness. Any change in behaviour should be checked by a vet to rule out underlying medical causes.
Pain and medical conditions aren’t always completely obvious, so even if they seem themselves in every other way, there could still be an underlying medical cause.
It can be helpful to take videos to show your vet, and specific examples of when your dog shows this behaviour, if you can.
Learned behaviour or habit
If biting, mouthing or nipping has previously resulted in attention, play or relief from something like teething, dogs may learn to repeat it. This doesn’t mean they’re being “naughty” – it means the behaviour worked for them last time.
It’s unlikely your dog has deliberately been given a reward for biting or mouthing, but if they’ve enjoyed attention directly from their behaviour, then it is rewarding to them.
If dogs haven’t learnt to calmly express themselves from a young age and use their mouth to communicate with us through biting, mouthing or nipping, it’s likely to be a habit. When they develop a habit like mouthing, it becomes their ‘go-to’ behaviour.
They’re more likely to mouth when they’re experiencing big emotions like worry or excitement as a default, instead of other, more suitable behaviours, to show you how they’re feeling.
Even if an adult dog is mouthing or biting, they can still be taught different behaviours. With some time and patience, it’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks.
Attention seeking
A dog may mouth and bite, particularly at us, if they’re bored, being ignored, or in need of human interaction. Biting, mouthing and nipping are simply ways for your dog to let you know they need something. Dogs are social animals and need interaction with humans and other dogs throughout the day, depending on their individual likes and dislikes.
Your dog may also be more likely to seek attention close to meal or walk times. It’s important to ensure all your dog’s needs are met with a good variety of physical and mental stimulation throughout the day. This will help them settle when needed and reduce attention-seeking behaviour.
Puppy biting and mouthing
Puppy mouthing is extremely common and a normal part of development. However, puppies still need help learning how to use their mouths gently with people and other dogs. It’s important that puppies start to learn this as soon as possible because an adult dog biting and mouthing can be more challenging to manage.
If you have a young dog, it’s never too early to start teaching them how to say hello, play, and interact with humans without using their mouth. You’ll never stop a puppy from mouthing completely. But by using the techniques below, you should soon see them using their teeth for tasty chews and toys, rather than your fingers.
How to redirect your puppy’s mouth
- Recognising signs that your puppy is getting ready to play, like an increase in energy, bouncing, pouncing and batting things with their paws, means you can give them a toy before they start chewing or mouthing you. This will show them how to get it right from the start.
- Choose a suitable toy that’s the right size for your pup and made of a dog-safe material (check there are no small parts or batteries). Keeping these toys in different places around the house, or in your pocket when out and about, makes sure you’re always ready. Keep them away from your pup when you can’t supervise play to ensure safety. Try moving the toy along the ground in different directions to keep your puppy interested and be sure to let them enjoy ‘winning’ the game and parading, chewing or ragging their prize toy.
- Swapping your pup’s toys every couple of days will keep them interested. You don’t need an endless supply, although do replace them if damaged, so they don’t cause a blockage if swallowed. Simply use three or four toys at a time and keep them on a rotation so they appear ‘new’ every time you present them to your pup. Dogs enjoy chewing lots of different things, so try to mix it up with rope, rubber, and soft toys. You’ll soon learn which are the favourites.
- If you see your dog chewing or mouthing on something appropriate or they approach you with their toy, remember to praise them well. If they like to play with you or bring you their toy, join in and have some fun with them. This is a great way to reward them for making good choices. If you ignore the toy brought to you, your dog could learn that mouthing gets your attention better than bringing you a toy.
- It can be helpful to ask children not to run and shout near your dog, to stop them from getting overexcited. If your puppy is biting, nipping or mouthing at children, wellington boots can give protection to feet and ankles while you redirect your pup to a toy and play with you. Interactions between children and your dog should always be supervised.
Setting consistent boundaries during play
It’s important to set boundaries for suitable play with your puppy as soon as you bring them home.
And the rules aren’t just for the pups!
We know it’s tempting to use your foot as a plaything or take videos of your little fluff-ball chewing on your hand, but dogs learn quickly. If you start rough play, wrestling games or encourage puppies to mouth and bite you, even playfully, then you’re showing them this is ok.
Create a list of house rules and stick them on the fridge where everyone can see them. There’s a risk your puppy will expect to play like this whenever they want and with whoever they want. Even as they grow into a big dog with adult teeth. Puppies need a consistent message that biting or mouthing us is never okay, otherwise they’ll be confused and could become worried or frustrated if the rules change in the future.
There are lots of games you can play with your puppy, things you can teach them, and experiences you can introduce them to that will help you build strong lasting bonds which don’t require puppy mouths chomping on human hands.
What to do if your puppy bites or mouths
Stay still
If your puppy puts their teeth on you, stop what you’re doing and stay still. If you’re holding a toy, drop it. or put it behind your back out of sight.
Cross your arms
If they continue to mouth, turn away and cross your arms – a clear signal that your attention has been withdrawn. If you’re on the ground playing with them, you may need to stand up.
Move away
If step one and two don’t work, move away, leaving them to calm down for a moment before going back. You can use a door or stairgate to separate yourself from your puppy if they continue to follow you and mouth at your feet or clothes.
Reward
Once your puppy is calm, reward them by restarting the game, picking the toy back up, scattering some treats for them to find, or offering a gentle fuss if that’s their thing.
Over time, your puppy will learn that mouthing means the fun ends, so they’ll gradually stop doing it. Ask friends and family to stick to the same rules when they interact with your puppy, as consistency helps them to learn.
Encouraging calm play and socialisation
Your dog may be more likely to bite and mouth if they’re bored and not getting enough mental or physical exercise. Build time for play, socialising and learning into your puppy’s day. Try sticking to a routine to ensure your playful pup gets enough downtime to rest, especially after walks, playtime, and training. It’s best to have lots of short, ten-minute activities throughout your pup’s day, including time for them to eat, drink and go to the toilet.
Overtired
Just like babies, children, and us on a day off, puppies need a lot of sleep (18 - 20) hours a day.
When they don’t get enough sleep, puppies often show signs of excess energy like zoomies, wanting to play, and mouthing. It would be easy to think this is your pup telling you they haven’t done enough to be tired. If your puppy has been fed, been to the toilet, and had the opportunity to engage in different physical, mental and social activities throughout the day, they’re probably overtired. Prevent reaching this stage by scheduling in regular power naps and longer sleeps for your puppy throughout the day.
When do puppies stop biting and nipping?
We know it can seem like the mouthy puppy stage goes on forever, but we promise you it doesn’t. Dogs are all individual and learn at different speeds, so there’s no magic age when they stop puppy biting, nipping and mouthing.
Teaching them to be calm and gentle early, being consistent, and rewarding them when they make good choices, will help them grow out of biting so much. Typically, when teething is finished after around seven months, your dog will be mouthing a lot less.
If the biting and nipping doesn’t improve, or you think the biting is a result of fear or frustration, contact our free Behaviour Support Line. If the nipping and biting seem to improve but then start again, it could be a sign of illness or discomfort, so we recommend taking your dog to your vet.
Adult dog biting, mouthing and nipping
Nipping or biting strangers or visitors
Dogs can nip or bite unfamiliar people for lots of reasons. While it could be an invitation to play, or a moment of mouthing when overexcited, dogs are much more likely to show these behaviours because they’re uncertain.
When a dog doesn’t know how to respond to a situation like a new person approaching them, they might nip or bite to get the person to move away.
We have specific advice for dogs who react to visitors in the home and reactivity to strangers out and about to guide you.
Biting during handling or grooming
If your dog bites or mouths when you put their harness on or groom them, they may not be confident in the situation. Or they could be feeling unwell or be in pain.
Your dog might be grabbing, mouthing, or putting their teeth on your skin because they you to stop. For some dogs this may be very specific, for example only with harnesses that go over the head. For others, it may be all handling.
A trip to the vet will rule out any underlying medical problems. Your vet can also help you understand why your dog is responding this way by looking at their body language.
If you can, stop handling them in the way that’s making them feel worried or frustrated while you work on changing their emotions around being handled.
We also have step-by-step advice on how to introduce a harness to your dog so they are confident and relaxed when wearing it.
If your dog is biting aggressively, or you’re worried you’ll get hurt, call us as soon as possible. We can provide more specific advice, tailored to you.
Fear
If you’ve identified that your dog is afraid, and they’re mouthing or biting as a result, try to avoid the trigger causing the worry. You won’t have to avoid it forever, but doing so for now will keep you safe and your dog feeling more relaxed.
Give your dog plenty of time to calm down after they’ve bitten as their emotions will still be high, and they’re more likely to bite again.
We know it can be worrying and scary to see your dog react this way. Follow our advice on dog aggression to keep everyone safe and help your dog feel better.
Biting family members
We know how hard managing an overexcited or scared dog can be, especially when it starts to affect your relationships at home. If your dog is biting specific people, or there are known triggers, try to avoid these for now and keep them away from the family members they’re biting while you address the problem with our help.
Biting and nipping during play
Some biting and nipping during play with other dogs is normal. Dogs are a social species and use their mouths to invite a game of chase and engage in rough and tumble with each other.
Signs of normal playful biting between dogs include:
- both dogs having relaxed, loose body language
- even play, for example both dogs taking turns to chase each other
- taking it in turns to ‘win’
- vocalisation including barking and growling
- the dogs can take natural breaks and pauses in play.
If you’re not sure if your dog’s biting and nipping during play is social, or the other dog seems distressed, call your dog away and put them back on lead to give them a break. If they’ve calmed down, and both dogs seem relaxed, you can always reintroduce them. Dogs start learning how to play with each other from a young age, with their litter mates. Some dogs pick up how to play politely quicker than others, who need more guidance and support from their humans to take breaks.
Adult dogs can bite, nip and mouth humans during play if they haven’t learnt how to play appropriately. Some dogs find using their mouths to grab more satisfying and relieving than others, so may be more likely to continue this behaviour into adolescence and adulthood. If your adult dog mouths or bites you during in play, it doesn’t mean you’ve done a bad job teaching them as a puppy. It’s never too late to teach your dog how to use their mouth safely on toys and chews instead.
If your dog nips at your heels or feet when they’re playing, it might be because they’re overexcited and trying to get you to move to a specific place, or in a specific way. Some dogs have been bred for generations to herd or chase. As a result, some might enjoy engaging in chasing play with humans. This behaviour can be tricky to manage as your dog is likely finding it rewarding when you move, whether you’re trying to play with them or not.
Giving your dog lots of suitable outlets for this normal doggy behaviour can help to reduce them nipping at you. Telling children not to run around or past the dog while you work on the behaviour can help stop further incidents.
How to teach a dog or puppy not to mouth
The most important step in teaching your dog or puppy not to mouth is finding out the cause. Once you understand how your dog is feeling and why they’re mouthing, you can start managing the behaviour. You can then teach them alternative, more suitable ways of interacting with you – whether in play or communication.
With time, consistency, and a calm approach, you and your dog can strengthen your relationship and enjoy spending time together, no teeth involved.
Daily habits that make a difference
Dogs, like humans, have multiple needs that shift throughout the day depending on their physical and emotional state. Fulfilling only one category, like physical exercise, isn’t enough. Your dog may be restless or unsatisfied if mental, emotional, or social needs are unmet. This is when they’re more likely to engage in mouthing and biting behaviours.
Biological needs
Biological requirements include food, water, sleep, warmth, and shelter. When these needs are unmet, dogs struggle to learn, relax, or interact positively - like us when we feel unwell or hungry. Creating a safe, predictable environment is the first step towards balance.
- Maintain a consistent routine, particularly for feeding, exercise and sleeping.
- Provide a quiet, cosy, safe space for your dog to rest undisturbed.
Physical needs
Physical exercise helps to burn energy, supports your dog’s mobility and helps their health. Beyond general activity, dogs also need opportunities to perform natural behaviours like sniffing, chasing, digging and retrieving.
- Include varied exercise, different walking routes, off-lead time if safe, and playing.
- Offer safe and suitable alternatives to fulfil natural behaviours like dig boxes or snuffle mats.
Emotional needs
Emotional and physical wellbeing are interconnected. Dogs need to learn that the world is a safe place and be prevented from experiencing emotional stress, both in the home and out and about. Stress or negative emotions influence behaviour and our dog’s ability to learn.
- Use calm, predictable cues and reward-based training.
- Protect your dog from situations they find overwhelming.
Social needs
Dogs are social, but not all want or enjoy the same level of interaction. Genetics and early experiences shape how they prefer to interact with people and other dogs.
- Let your dog choose who and what they interact with. Make time for the interactions you know they enjoy and value, whether that’s snuggles on the sofa or a play date at the park.
Enrichment and learning
Mental stimulation helps prevent boredom, supports confidence, and encourages calm behaviours. Enrichment allows dogs to problem-solve, explore, chew, sniff, and learn new skills.
- Incorporate different types of enrichment into your daily routine.
- Encourage your dog to engage with appropriate items like chews and puzzle feeders and reward them when they do.
- Introduce training new skills and enrichment at your dog’s pace.
Building trust and good habits long term
When you live with or care for a dog that mouths, nips, or bites, it can be challenging to imagine a life where you truly trust each other again. If your dog has caused injury to you or others, even though it wasn’t deliberate, it can be hard to see a way forward. There are lots of things you can do with your dog to help strengthen your bond and achieve your long-term goals. After all, dogs are our best friends!
Get to know your dog better:
- Practise understanding your dog’s body language so that you can know how they’re feeling and respond appropriately.
- Learn what your dog likes best. From favourite walks and tasty snacks to toys and games. Mix things up to keep interactions fresh and interesting. Knowing your idea of their best day ever can help you to bank good experiences and reward big when you achieve milestones in your training.
- It’s ok if your dog prefers two-legged humans to four-legged pals, or likes a stroll to the quiet park over dinner at the pub. Do things with your dog that they enjoy and try to avoid situations or places which might cause them to be worried, overwhelmed or frustrated.
Learn together:
- Use reward-based training methods to teach your dog suitable alternative behaviours. Training is also a great way to keep your dog’s brain active and build a strong bond.
- Avoid punishment as this can make your dog worried and cause unwanted behaviours to develop or worsen.
- Teach your dog at their own pace, in short sessions. Only move on to the next step of any training when you and your dog are confident and relaxed with the previous steps.
- Track your training progress using a diary, or record videos on your phone so you can see your progress together. Be sure to reward yourself for achieving those training goals too.
Keep your life predictable and consistent:
- We can’t help it when life throws unexpected things our way, but as much as possible, keep your interactions with your dog positive and consistent. This helps them learn what to expect, which can make them feel safer and more relaxed.
- Remain calm around your dog and avoid sudden movements that may be more likely to encourage mouthing and biting.
- Build time for training, walks, play and rest into your dog’s daily routine. We have lots of DIY enrichment ideas if you want to try something new.
When to seek professional help
Vet check
Changes in a dog's behaviour are often influenced by their physical health, even when there are no obvious signs of pain or illness. Some medical issues are subtle, develop gradually, or are masked by dogs coping well, so even very attentive owners may not notice anything wrong.
You should seek veterinary advice if your dog has suddenly started mouthing or biting, or the behaviour has increased.
A visit to your vet is a supportive first step that can either rule out any medical causes, resolve the behaviour completely, or make any behaviour support and training clearer, fairer, and more effective for you and your dog.
Professional behaviourist support
We know that living with a dog who mouths or bites can be incredibly challenging. If you need help working out why your dog is mouthing or biting, or stopping the problem behaviour, our experts are just a click or call away.
Contact our free Behaviour Support Line, request a call back with an expert, or book a support package now. We help thousands of dog owners just like you every year. Our team can offer a wide range of support depending on what you feel is best for you - even if it's just to check you're on the right track.
Real owner stories: you're not alone
Our Behaviour Support Line team were a listening ear for Bertie’s owner when his puppy mouthing started causing problems at home.
I have gone through many apps, and this was by far my best experience. The lady was amazing, so helpful with tips and advice. It was like she had lived my problems. Very knowledgeable.
Marilyn, Bertie’s owner
Contact our behaviour services
Whether you’re facing a tricky behaviour or feeling completely overwhelmed, we’re here to help. Our team of experts can offer advice, training and support.
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FAQs about dogs biting and nipping
Why does my dog bite me when excited?
Dogs often use their mouths when they’re feeling big emotions, like excitement. When your dog is excited, they may struggle to channel that energy and may use mouthing or nipping as a release. This might happen during greetings, play, walk preparation, or feeding time. It isn’t usually about aggression – it’s a sign your dog needs help calming down.
Teaching alternative behaviours, like grabbing a toy or sniffing for treats, can give them a safer outlet. Managing excitement levels with calm routines, breaks, and rest can also reduce biting during high-energy moments.
How do I stop my puppy biting my hands?
Puppy biting is a normal part of their development, but puppies need guidance to learn gentle behaviour. Always give your puppy a chew or toy to redirect to when they try to bite hands. You’ll need to have a brief play with them so that the toy or chew becomes more fun than grabbing at you. If your puppy does bite, stay still and calmly pause play or interaction. Try not to pull away quickly or shout as this can worry your puppy or make them excited and turn it into a game. If they’re very persistent, you may need to briefly leave the room.
Make sure your puppy gets plenty of sleep, as overtired puppies mouth more. Everyone interacting with your puppy should follow the same rules and be consistent. Over time, your puppy will learn that gentle play keeps the fun going.
Why does my rescue dog keep biting?
Rescue dogs may bite for lots of reasons due to fear, frustration or past experiences. They may be overwhelmed and bite to ask for space. Your dog isn’t being naughty, they’re just trying to communicate how they’re feeling. Try to avoid any known triggers for now and give your dog time to settle if you have recently adopted them.
Follow our guidance on aggressive behaviours and reach out to us for more tailored support.
Is my dog aggressive or just playing?
Playful mouthing should come with loose, relaxed and wiggly body language. Your dog should stop or pause regularly. Aggressive biting is typically harder, and your dog’s posture will likely be stiff and tense. Other signs of fear include baring their teeth.
It’s not always easy to tell the difference, especially in the moment. It’s okay to be unsure. We’re here to help.
If your dog’s behaviour feels worrying, causes injury, or is difficult to interrupt, call our free Behaviour Support Line. Our experts can help you understand the emotion behind your dog’s behaviour so you can respond safely.
What should I do if my dog bit me?
Make sure everyone is safe and separate your dog calmly if needed. Seek medical advice for any injuries. It can be scary for you and your dog after a bite, so take some time for you both to calm down.
Your dog is more likely to bite again in the short period of time after an incident so keep things relaxed and quiet and avoid anything that might cause them to become overexcited or scared.
If you can, think about what may have triggered your dog to bite. Consider what happened just before, as well as throughout the day.
Your dog needs to be seen by your vet to rule out any pain or illness and seek support from a qualified behaviourist.
My dog bit me - should I put them down?
This situation is incredibly distressing for everyone involved and we understand how upsetting it can be. Biting does not mean a dog should automatically be put to sleep. Dogs bite for reasons like fear, pain, frustration, or misunderstanding, and many cases can be managed safely with the right support.
A vet check and behaviour support are the first steps to understanding why this happened and how to move forward. Call our friendly Behaviour Support Line team to talk things through with an understanding ear.
Will my dog grow out of mouthing or biting?
Some puppies naturally mouth less as they finish teething, but biting doesn’t usually stop on its own without guidance. Dogs learn through experience, so teaching them what to do instead of biting is essential.
Adult dogs who bite are unlikely to “grow out of it” without support, especially if the behaviour is linked to fear or frustration. The good news is that dogs of any age can learn new behaviours. With consistency, calm handling, and the right help, improvement is always possible.
Should I punish my dog for biting?
No. Shouting, hitting, or physically removing your dog can cause fear, making biting more likely in the long term. Punishment doesn’t teach your dog what behaviour you want. Dogs learn best when they feel safe and are rewarded for the things we want to see. Focus on prevention, redirection, and rewarding appropriate choices when your dog doesn’t mouth or bite.
Do you need a tetanus shot after a dog bite?
If a dog bite breaks the skin, whatever the situation, it’s important to seek medical advice. A healthcare professional can assess what treatment will be needed based on your individual medical needs. The NHS website provides more detailed guidance on what to do after an animal bites you.
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