Puppy biting

Using their teeth during play with other dogs is normal for a beagle puppy, but they need to learn that it’s wrong to use their teeth when playing with people.

Week 1

Every time your puppy bites your hands hard enough for it to hurt, you should yelp or shout ‘ouch’ and turn away as if you’re nursing your wounds. Ignore him for at least 20 seconds before restarting the game or interaction.

Week 2

Continue as before, but this time yelp even if he bites you gently or if he tugs at clothing.

Week 3

Yelp and stop the game if he even brushes your skin or clothing with his mouth. If he touches your hand or clothing with his teeth whilst playing with a toy, then end the game immediately and put the toy away for that session.

Still having problems?

This process doesn’t work for all beagle puppies. If he has learned to bite to get your attention or if he’s more than 14 weeks old then he may get more excited when you yelp. If you’ve tried yelping for a week or two and things aren’t getting any better then you’ll need to change your approach. Instead of yelping, give a calm and clear ‘no’ when he bites and then immediately pick him up and isolate him in another room, or behind a baby gate for two minutes.

If he gets more excited when picked up, then just leave the room quickly and close the door behind you. After two minutes he can join you again, but don’t immediately start playing. Ignore him until he’s sitting or lying down quietly before you reward him by restarting the game.

If you’ve an adult dog who is over enthusiastic with his teeth, then the second approach is the most useful. Older dogs are perfectly capable of learning that using their teeth recklessly when playing with toys or taking treats will end the fun stuff. If your fingers or hands are nipped when playing with tug toys then the easiest approach is to say ‘no’ as you drop the toy and just walk away immediately. This only works if you’re playing with your dog and you need a different approach if you’re trying to get stolen items back.