Here's 5 Things You Can Do To Stop Your Puppy From Nipping!

1. When your puppy does nip – stop all play 

If your puppy nips too hard, say “Ouch!” in a loud-enough voice to surprise him (don't start off by screaming!) and stop all play.  Turn your back on him, and refuse to continue the game.

He should come around to face you and find out what's wrong – tell him “bad dog – no bite” in a firm tone of voice.  Do this every time he nips until he gets the idea that nipping means no more fun.

2. Replace your flesh with a toy

When you've resumed play, and if your puppy tries to nip again, try replacing your hand or arm (or whatever's being nipped) with a toy.

Teach your puppy that you're not the toy. Put a toy in between you and those needle-sharp teeth!

3. The Nose Tap

If your puppy nips turn to him immediately and give him the “sit” command. 

Take your forefinger and hold it up in front of his nose, then tap him on the nose and say “no bite” in a stern tone of voice.

It's important to note two things here:

1) the nose tap isn't designed as a dire punishment – you're not trying to hurt him, but rather startle him into stopping the behavior; and

2) your tone of voice is just as important as the nose tap.  Don't scream at him – your voice should be stern and give a clear warning – think of it as a verbal growl – something that he can understand as a dog.

An interesting result of this manner of breaking this habit is that down the road, when your puppy has learned to recognize the raised finger – he'll usually stop whatever behavior he's engaging in just because he knows what's coming.

You won't even have to raise your voice – just lift that finger.

4. Don't encourage biting or nipping in the first place

Don't let the kids start “chase” games – that encourages dogs to think that the kids are prey.

Don't play games that involve waving your hands in front of your dog and encouraging him to jump or nip.

Don't play tug-of-war with your dog – it will not only encourage him to think he's your equal, it can promote nipping if you use a rope toy, for example, because he'll try to bite at your hands to make you lose your grip on the toy.

Play games of fetch and retrieval, but be sure that your dog knows the “drop” or “release” command so you're not fighting over the toy.

5. Be consistent

Stop the nipping behavior as soon as it starts, and be consistent about disciplining your puppy for it.

Don't let him get away with nipping on one day, and then discipline for the same behavior the next.

Dogs don't understand “sometimes it's ok,” or “maybe it's ok it you don't nip too hard and I'm in a good mood.“ 

They understand “Don't ever do that,” and “No more treats if you do that.”