How to Stop Puppy Biting

[Malakai The Great]

Puppy biting is normal for German Shepherds, they’re teething, overexcited, and learning how their bodies work. But it can be controlled quickly with the right structure.

Here’s the short, effective version you can actually use:

1. Control the Environment​

Most biting happens because the puppy is overstimulated or has too much freedom.
Use:

• Baby gates
• Pens
• Long line inside
• Chews (frozen Kong, bully stick, Nylabone)

A tired brain = a softer mouth.

2. The Correct Response to Biting​

Never yell, push them away, or play with your hands.

Use this instead:

Step 1: Freeze.
Movement fuels biting. Stop instantly.

Step 2: Disengage.
Stand up, turn away, no talking.
“When I bite, the fun disappears.”

Step 3: Redirect.
Offer a toy.
“Bite this, not me.”

Step 4: Reward calm.
Mark (“good”) when they settle even a little.

This teaches emotional control, not just “don’t bite.”

3. Teach an Off-Switch​

A simple “relax on a mat” routine will fix 80% of biting. Calmness is a trained skill, not something puppies magically understand.

4. Structured Play​

Unstructured play -> chaos -> biting
Structured play -> rules -> engagement

Use:

• Tug (with rules)
• Fetch
• Chase games that start only when you cue it

A dog who can control themselves during play can control themselves everywhere.

5. Know What’s Not Normal​

If your puppy:

• Bites harder when corrected
• Guards items and snaps
• Bites to control people

That’s no longer “puppy biting.” That’s a behavior issue, still fixable, but it needs a different plan.

Final Thoughts​

Puppy biting isn’t about dominance, it’s about development. Guide them, give them structure, and the phase ends quickly. Ignore it, and it grows into an adolescent problem.