The definition of a puppy, is that it still has puppy canine teeth. A puppy may put teeth on skin in an attempt to explore the world. This is normal. They also touch objects and play with things with their teeth. Part of this exploration process is to see what happens when they bite harder. If this is the case in your home, the adults need to teach "Bite Inhibition" or "Gentle Mouthing". This is where we allow teeth to touch skin and to explore gently. When the mouthing or biting becomes even slightly uncomfortable, (more than you would tolerate for a baby) remove your hands, if necessary get up or move away from the pup. You can use a soft "Awe" in a disappointed voice to pair with this. This communicates you are withholding attention from him and didn't like it. This is the reaction he would receive if the pup were exploring with littermates. We are communicating that it is the harder bite causing you to stop play. After several seconds, return to play with the pup, and allow gentle mouthing again. He may not understand at first that it is the pressure that caused you to move away. Keep repeating the cycle until the pup has a chance to understand the situation.

In most cases, the removal of attention is the only intervention needed for this type of rough play. It is ideal to train this at the beginning of play when the pup is calm. When the pup becomes overly excited we must temporarily change our taticts to protect ourselves. Read Play Biting for how to react when the puppy is excited or fearful and if there are children involved.

Another strategy for puppy exploration biting is to redirect the rough behavior to a proper chew toy or to change the game. Instead play a gentle game of tug. In most cases the immediate replacement of a chew toy or tug and and rewarding the appropriate play behavior is communicating this is what I want you to do instead. If however you choose this strategy and you notice the biting is increasing this pup may be interpreting this as a reward for the biting. In which case we have unintentionally rewarded the biting. Instead allow at least 10 seconds between your removal of attention and delivering the toy or changing play style.

There is some debate as to whether Bite Inhibition should be taught to dogs. Some trainers will say only teach NO biting EVER. In our experience there are times a dog may accidently bite a person. For example: a dog is injured and a person must examine or move the dog. If they have been taught bite inhibition they usually will not bite hard out of habit. Another example is if a dog is startle such as someone stepping on their tail or paw. If they have NOT been taught how to touch skin gently with teeth often these dogs will instinctively bite down hard from pain or fear.

The best thing to do is to allow some gentle mouthing at first (gentle exploration), then when the biting becomes even slightly uncomfortable, get up and move away from the pup. Puppy learns that play stops if biting is too hard.