To reduce your puppy's nipping, avoid rough games, as well as vigorous playful petting and excitable greetings. Rough games include wrestling, chasing, and tug-of-war. All these types of interactions may encourage puppy nipping behaviors. Owners that teach their puppies that nipping is acceptable at some times, but not others, will almost always have a difficult time eliminating the problem.

Since nipping is a natural way for puppies to play with one another, the best solutions will involve teaching your puppy another way to play with you. Teach your puppy to play with toys like Buster Cubes, Boomer Balls, and Nylabones. Encourage and teach your puppy to fetch. Have these toys constantly available, so that you can give them to your puppy whenever she greets you. When interacting with your puppy keep your hands low and slow. Hold food treats in one hand and gently pet your puppy with the other hand. Giving her food treats while you are petting her will keep her mouth busy. The treats can gradually be reduced as she learns to remain calm. When the puppy nips you, freeze and say "no" in a serious tone. The objective is not to scare, but to slightly startle the puppy, so she stops nipping. The instant she stops nipping, direct her attention onto her toys or her food treats. Praise her and begin gently petting her again.

You want 99% of your interactions with your puppy to be positive so you can develop a good relationship with her. By always having food treats and toys with you, you can prevent most of the nipping, and keep things positive.

 

Chewing	Digging	Barking
Nipping	Jumping	Housebreaking
House Manners