How to stop puppy biting
By the Toodle team · Updated · Prices checked daily
Puppy biting is normal, but those little teeth are sharp. Here's how to teach gentle play, followed by chew toys, tug toys and puzzles in stock at the shops we work with.
Puppy biting, step by step
Know it's normal
Puppies explore with their mouths, and teething makes them want to chew. The goal is to teach what's okay to bite.
Swap hands for toys
When your puppy mouths you, offer a chew or tug toy instead, and praise them when they take it.
Pause play when teeth touch skin
Say "oops" calmly and stop playing for a few seconds. Play starts again when they're gentle.
Don't play rough with hands
Wrestling with your hands teaches that hands are toys. Use a long tug toy so there's distance between teeth and fingers.
Watch for overtiredness
Biting often gets worse when puppies are overtired. A nap in their crate or playpen with a chew can help them settle.
Give their brain a job
Puzzle toys and lick mats use up energy in a calm way, so there's less left over for nipping.
Want the full lesson?
The Ultimate Guide to Puppy Training is a free online course from Alison. The course is free; a certificate is optional and paid, and Toodle may earn a commission if you buy one.
At a glance
We found 21 options in stock from 8 stores, from $6.59 to $15.99.
- Lowest-priced in Chew toys: JW Butterfly Puppy Teether Chew Toy, $6.99 at Petmate
- Lowest-priced in Tug toys: Jolly Pets Jolly Tug Insect Dog Toy, $6.99 at GreaterGood
- Lowest-priced in Puzzles and lick mats: Chuckit! Tumble Teez Dog Treat Puzzle Toy, $9.99 at Petmate
- Lowest-priced in Training treats: Nutrisource Little Bites Soft & Chewy Dog Treats, $6.59 at Only Natural Pet
How we picked
- Chew toys, tug toys, puzzles and lick mats, plus soft training treats
- In stock with a current price
- Grouped by kind
Listed from the lowest price. Prices and stock come from each store and are checked through the day. We haven't tested these products ourselves; the facts come from each maker's listing. Stores may pay Toodle a commission; that never changes what's listed or the order. How Toodle makes money
Supervise chewing, and pick toys sized for your puppy so they can't be swallowed.
Chew toys
1. JW Pet
JW Butterfly Puppy Teether Chew Toy
The super-tough rubber and fun shape of this toy provide a bouncy, erratic bounce path when thrown that engages your puppy's instinct to chase.
$6.99 at PetmatePrice checked 24 hours ago
Buy at Petmate
2. JW Pet
JW Prickl-ee Pear Puppy Teether Chew Toy
This chew toy for puppies satisfies their chewing instincts.
$7.99 at PetmatePrice checked 24 hours ago
Buy at Petmate
3. Woof
Woof HonestChew Ultra Tough Plant Based Dog Chew Toy
A firm, plant-based dog chew toy offered in two shapes and three sizes.
- Sizes Small to Large
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$9.99 at Only Natural Pet · Antler / SmallPrice checked 19 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
4. Tuffy
Silly Squeaker Beer Can, Smella Arpaw
A squeaky rubber parody beer can dog toy.
$10.99 at Doodle Doo BakeryPrice checked 14 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
5. Spunky Pup
Double Wall Hydrant
A rubber fire hydrant chew toy with a double wall, made in the USA.
- Sizes Small to Large
$11.99 at Doodle Doo Bakery · SmallPrice checked 10 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
6. Spunky Pup
The Tire Rubber Toy
A tire-shaped chew and fetch toy made in the USA from reclaimed rubber.
- Sizes Small to Large
$11.99 at Doodle Doo Bakery · SmallPrice checked 13 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
Tug toys
7. Jolly Pets
Jolly Pets Jolly Tug Insect Dog Toy
A ladybug tug toy that squeaks when both ends are pulled.
$6.99 at GreaterGoodPrice checked 13 hours ago
Buy at GreaterGood
8. Coastal Pet
Duck Tug Toy, 13 in
A 13 in plush duck made for tug games.
$12.99 at Doodle Doo BakeryPrice checked 14 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
9. P.L.A.Y.
IHOP x Play Pancake Pup Stack
Three plush pancakes on a sliding rope, for tug and fetch.
$14.90 at P.L.A.Y.Price checked 17 hours ago
Buy at P.L.A.Y.
Puzzles and lick mats
10. Chuckit!
Chuckit! Tumble Teez Dog Treat Puzzle Toy
Tumble Teez – Treat-Stuffable Puzzle Toy for Dogs Playtime just got smarter.
- Sizes Small to Large
- 3 styles
$9.99 at Petmate · Small / GreenPrice checked 24 hours ago
Buy at Petmate
11. JW Pet
JW Hol-ee Bone Puzzle Dog Toy
Holds a variety of treats or plush toys.
- 2 sizes
$10.99 at Petmate · Hol-ee Bone / Small/mediumPrice checked 24 hours ago
Buy at Petmate
12. KONG
KONG Classic Dog Toy
Natural rubber chew toy that can be stuffed with treats.
- Sizes Medium to Large
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$11.96 at Only Natural Pet · MediumPrice checked 6 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
13. JW Pet
JW Treat N Squeak Ball Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
JW Treat N Squeak Treat Dispensing Dog Toy is an interactive treat-dispensing durable open natural rubber treat toy, half squeaky Hol-ee rubber ball.
$11.99 at PetmatePrice checked 24 hours ago
Buy at Petmate
14. Raw Paws Pet Food
Licking Mats
Licking Mats from Raw Paws Pet Food: spread wet food, yogurt or a lickable treat on it for your pet to lick off.
- Ships free from Raw Paws Pet Food
$12.99 at Raw Paws Pet FoodPrice checked 4 hours ago
Buy at Raw Paws Pet Food
15. P.L.A.Y.
Sugar Rush Cupcake
A plush cupcake that hides a treat-dispensing ball inside, for a birthday surprise or everyday foraging.
$15.90 at P.L.A.Y.Price checked 17 hours ago
Buy at P.L.A.Y.
Training treats
16. Nutrisource
Nutrisource Little Bites Soft & Chewy Dog Treats
Small, soft and chewy dog treats in chicken, rabbit, duck or salmon recipes.
- 4 flavors
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$6.59 at Only Natural Pet · Chicken 6 ozPrice checked 18 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
17. Raw Paws Pet Food
Grain-Free Training Treats for Dogs - Peanut Butter Recipe
Grain-Free Training Treats for Dogs - Peanut Butter Recipe from Raw Paws Pet Food, in 6 oz.
- Ships free from Raw Paws Pet Food
$9.99 at Raw Paws Pet FoodPrice checked 23 hours ago
Buy at Raw Paws Pet Food
18. Gnarly Bites
Amp'd Up Training Treats
Small training treats made with real chicken and venison.
$13.00 at Gnarly PetsPrice checked 10 hours ago
Buy at Gnarly Pets
19. PawCo
Magic Bar Plant-Based Snack Bars
Soft, chewy peanut butter snack bars with pumpkin and chicory root, easy to chew at any age.
- 2 sizes
- 6 flavors
- Free shipping over $40 at PawCo
$15.49 at PawCo · Original · 8-packPrice checked 22 hours ago
Buy at PawCo
20. Raw Paws Pet Food
Grain-Free Soft Sausage Treats for Dogs & Cats - Beef Recipe
Grain-Free Soft Sausage Treats for Dogs & Cats - Beef Recipe from Raw Paws Pet Food, in 6 oz.
- Ships free from Raw Paws Pet Food
$15.99 at Raw Paws Pet FoodPrice checked 23 hours ago
Buy at Raw Paws Pet Food
21. Raw Paws Pet Food
Grain-Free Soft Sausage Treats for Dogs & Cats - Chicken Recipe
Grain-Free Soft Sausage Treats for Dogs & Cats - Chicken Recipe from Raw Paws Pet Food, in 6 oz.
- Ships free from Raw Paws Pet Food
$15.99 at Raw Paws Pet FoodPrice checked 23 hours ago
Buy at Raw Paws Pet Food
Compare them side by side
When to get help
If biting is hard, comes with growling or stiffness, or isn't easing as your puppy grows, talk to your vet or a certified trainer.
Teething help
Puppies teethe until about six months. Firm rubber chews give sore gums something to work on. Supervise chewing and replace toys once pieces start to come off.
Questions
- When do puppies stop biting?
- Most mouthing eases as teething ends, around six months, especially with steady training.
- What are the best toys for a biting puppy?
- Firm rubber chews for teething, long tug toys for play, and puzzle toys for calm time.
- Is puppy biting aggression?
- Usually not: it's play and teething. If biting is hard or comes with growling or stiffness, talk to your vet or a certified trainer.