Play biting is a common, natural behavior exhibited by puppies and kittens. The intensity and frequency of this behavior by some individuals can be quite intense and a problem for some pet owners. Family members should not engage in rough play with the pets, wear gloves to permit hard bites, or encourage them to attack and bite hands or feet. Likewise, harsh or physical corrections should be avoided. Family members should not strike the pet, thump it on the nose, squeeze the lips against the teeth in a painful manner, scruff shake it, forcefully roll it on its back or side or ram a fist into the mouth.

Pets that receive lots of aerobic exercise will have less energy with which to play attack family members. Puppies should receive frequent opportunities for exercise including romps in the yard, walks and fetch. Kittens should be engaged in activities that involve chasing after toys pulled on a string or dangled from a stick, as well as games of fetch.

Soft, inhibited bites during play should be permitted, but the family member should address any bite that has enough force to be uncomfortable by yelling “Ouch,” immediately stopping play and walking away from the pet. It may also be helpful to teach the pet to stop play biting on command. Giving a command, such as “Enough,” can do this as the pet is biting. If the pet stops, it should be rewarded. If it continues the biting, the owner should respond with an instructive reprimand. This is done by immediately repeating “Enough” with sufficient) volume that the pet backs away, but not loud enough that it is frightened. Eventually, the pet will pet will stop biting every time the command is first given. For this to work, the family must be very consistent in their responses and have precise timing.

PUPPY MOUTHING, NIPPING AND BITING
-BITE INHIBITION AND TEACHING OFF

Bite Inhibition
1. No hard bites or pressure
a. When the puppy is calm, place your hand in its mouth and praise it when it mouths softly.
b. Give an immediate, loud “OUCH” whenever the puppy applies too much pressure, and stop playing with it. Once the puppy ceases, you can give it an alternative form of play or attention (e.g. chew toy, exercise session, training session) or a settle exercise (see our settle exercise handout) and reward the desirable behavior.
2. Mild attempts at deterring the puppy and physically discouraging the puppy can actually serve to increase the intensity of play and biting.
3. Gentle mouthing as a form of play is OK, but the puppy should not initiate it, and the family must be able to stop it on command. Any hard biting or over exuberant play must be discouraged.
4. Avoid tug of war if the pet becomes too excited, aggressive or out of control. Tug of war games should only be allowed when you have initiated it and when you can quickly stop the game on command with an ouch, give, or drop command.
5. If the puppy is constantly demanding attention through mouthing and biting or is over exuberant in its play, then it is likely not receiving sufficient stimulation. You should consider additional or longer periods of play, training and exercise, and more outlets for chewing to preempt the puppies unacceptable play biting.
6. If the puppy cannot be quickly calmed and settled, then confining it away from the target (e.g. children, visitor) until it settles may be necessary. When the puppy is calm it can then be released, and encouraged to play in an appropriate manner.
7. Head halters: For those problems that cannot be quickly and effectively controlled with bite inhibition techniques, a leash and head halter can be left attached when the puppy is with the family, and mouthing or biting can be immediately stopped with a pull on the leash, and tension released as soon as the puppy settles.
The leash and head halter can also be used to teach the off command by first giving the command and if the puppy does not immediately cease, pulling the hand back and guiding the dog into the proper response with a pull on the leash.
8. For some puppies in some homes, all forms of hard mouthing and play biting may be unacceptable. This may be the case when there are elderly or young children in the home.

Teaching Off
The purpose of this command is to get the puppy to stop mouthing or play biting on command.
Procedure:
1. Present a piece of food to get the pet’s attention, say “OK” in a friendly tone of voice and give the food.
2. Present another piece of food and say “OFF” in a firm tone of voice, but don’t yell.
a. If the puppy doesn’t make contact with your hand or the food for two seconds, say “OK” and give up the food.
b. If the puppy touches your hand before the 2 seconds pass and before you say “OK”, immediately yell “OFF” loud enough to make the puppy back away without frightening it. Be dramatic, lean toward the pup, make eye contact, and give a forceful command.
c. Repeat, gradually increasing the time the puppy has to wait.
3. Once the pup learns to back away from food on command, practice the above exercise using only your hand. Later, repeat the exercise when the puppy is in more excited moods.
4. Work toward the puppy not taking food, or touching your hand, no matter how tasty the treat or how your hand is moving, once you have said “OFF”.
5. You must practice every day to attain a dependable response.