Puppies are like tiny tornadoes. They are so full of energy and joy that it sometimes takes a bit of work just to keep up with them or clean after them. They never cease being cute and adorable even when they start biting, which is a problem, considering that it's not the kind of behavior you want to encourage and so you really should stop your puppy from biting at an early age.

Why puppies (and dogs in general) bite?

Biting for the members of the canine family is a basic behavior meant to establish dominance. This is because dogs tend to form packs and even at a young age, puppies use biting to try to set up their standing. Dogs have been domesticated for so long that they have a tendency to regard humans as fellow members of the pack.

So the next time your puppy tries to bite you, don't consider it as an exception. He is programmed to do this. It is up to you to make sure he doesn't do it in such a way as to harm you, other people, other dogs or himself. Finding ways how to stop your puppy from biting is very important.

What can you do to stop your puppy from biting?

Before you take him home, if you're about to get a puppy, make sure he has stayed with his mother and the other puppies until he is about 8 to 10 weeks old. Puppies will benefit more from this close proximity to their mother and the other members of the litter because this is where they learn behavior. This will make easier for you to stop your puppy from biting.

Puppies, as soon as they can stand up and move, begin play-biting with their mother and other puppies. It's all fun and games for a while until one of them bites down too hard. They also play-bit their mother and if you've watched this activity before, you'll know that mother dogs don't usually mind. That is, of course, until the bite becomes harder and for this, the offending puppy gets reprimanded with a warning growl or a light snap.

By staying with his mother and other puppies in the litter long enough, a puppy learns to modify his behavior and refine his communication skills. By the time you take him home, he is better equipped to communicate properly, especially with other dogs and it will be easier to stop your puppy from biting.

Train your puppy. For starters, establish your leadership. Your puppy may be cuddly and vulnerable-looking, but he had wolves for ancestors. They respond to how the leader of the pack treats them. Make sure your puppy understands that he cannot bully you. If he starts to bite, react. Squeal if you have to, to let your puppy know that you are displeased and that you shouldn't be bitten. This way you can stop your puppy from biting.

Another way to stop your puppy from biting is substitute your hand (or leg) with a toy. This will teach the puppy that he can bite other things but not your body parts.

You can also withdraw your attention as a form of reprimand. Ignore his biting or walk away from him. Some puppies might look dejected if you do this and you might be tempted to go back and give him a pat, but doing so will make your puppy think that his biting is okay and this will not stop your puppy from biting. Give back your attention only as a means to reward good behavior.

Provide socialisation. Puppies who have been socialised can behave better than puppies that have not been exposed to other humans and animals. Do this before he is 3 months old. The more he is used to other people, the more he can behave properly ad you can stop your puppy from biting easily.

Don't expect puppies to find out on their own how to behave. As his human companion, it is your duty to teach them what's right and wrong, at least from the human point of view. Contrary to what it looks like, biting is not a form of affection and if you teach your puppy to stop, you will be rewarded with a wonderful companion and a priceless human-canine relationship.