Puppies bring boundless joy (and energy!) into your home, but there are a few common behaviors—like nipping and biting—that new puppy owners often struggle with. If you’re raising a Bernedoodle, Aussiedoodle, or another Bernese or Aussie cross, you might notice this behavior is especially prevalent thanks to their playful and active tendencies.

Fortunately, with proper training solutions, you can effectively guide your puppy toward better behavior while building a stronger bond with them. This blog dives into why puppies nip and bite and offers proven strategies, including positive reinforcement techniques and tools like e-collars, to help you address the issue.

Why Do Puppies Nip and Bite?

Before you can address the problem, it’s helpful to understand why puppies exhibit nipping and biting behavior in the first place.

1. Teething Troubles

Puppies begin teething around three to four weeks and continue until they are six months old. During this period, they may nip, chew, or bite to soothe their teething discomfort.

• Signs of teething include swollen gums and puppies chewing on toys or your hands.

2. Play Behavior

Nipping and biting are natural ways puppies engage with their littermates. When playing, they use their mouths to interact. When they’re adopted into a home, they continue this behavior with their humans, unaware of how it may hurt.

3. Lack of Bite Inhibition

Bite inhibition refers to a puppy's ability to control the force of their bites. Puppies learn this skill during socialization with their littermates and mother. However, some puppies may not fully develop this ability, especially if separated too early.

4. Overstimulation or Boredom

High-energy breeds like Bernedoodles and Aussiedoodles may nip or bite if they’re not getting enough physical activity or mental stimulation. It’s their way of releasing pent-up energy or seeking attention.

Understanding these root causes provides a strong foundation for addressing nipping and biting in your puppy.

Positive Reinforcement Techniques for Managing Nipping and Biting

Addressing this behavior starts with effective and consistent training. Positive reinforcement is one of the most powerful tools in a puppy owner’s arsenal. Here’s how you can do it.

1. Redirect the Behavior

Offer your puppy an appropriate toy whenever they start nipping or biting you. For example, keep chew toys nearby and immediately swap your hand or clothing with the toy when the nipping begins.

• Look for durable chew toys designed for teething puppies, so they can soothe their gums safely.

2. Use Verbal Cues

When your puppy nips, use a clear and firm “ouch” or “no bite” cue to signal their behavior is inappropriate. Pause playtime for a few seconds after saying this, showing them that biting ends the fun.

3. Reward Desired Behavior

Whenever your puppy interacts with you gently, reward them with treats, praise, or belly rubs. Repetition will help them associate gentle play with positive outcomes.

4. Limit Rough Play

Certain play styles (such as tug-of-war or hand-roughhousing) can encourage nipping. Opt for games like fetch instead, which keep their mouths occupied in appropriate ways.

These positive reinforcement techniques are not only effective but also nurture trust and connection between you and your puppy.

The Role of E-Collars in Puppy Training

While positive reinforcement is essential, some new puppy owners may look for additional tools to help with training. E-collars, or electronic collars, are one such option. When used correctly, they can be a helpful tool in curbing nipping and biting behaviors.

What Are E-Collars?

E-collars are training devices that deliver a mild stimulus or vibration, activated via remote control. They’re designed to grab your puppy’s attention and redirect their focus. Today’s modern e-collars feature adjustable settings and are gentle enough to ensure your puppy feels safe during training.

Benefits of E-Collars

1. Precision – An e-collar allows for instant timing, ensuring your puppy associates the correction with their specific behavior.

2. Non-Aggressive – When used appropriately, these collars provide a consistent yet non-aggressive way to guide your puppy toward better behavior.

3. Customizable – Most e-collars allow you to adjust intensity levels, ensuring a humane approach tailored to your puppy's sensitivity level.

Safe Usage Tips

• Use the lowest setting required to get your puppy’s attention. Never use excessively high levels of stimulation.

• Pair the e-collar correction with clear verbal commands like “no bite” to reinforce the behavior you want to discourage.

• Monitor your puppy’s response and avoid prolonged sessions. Training is most effective in short, focused bursts.

E-collars are a supplemental training tool, and they work best when combined with other techniques like positive reinforcement.

Creating a Safe Environment to Prevent Nipping

The right environment can also play a crucial role in reducing biting and nipping.

1. Puppy-Proof Your Space

Remove objects you don’t want your puppy to chew on and provide plenty of safe chew toys within reach.

2. Engage Their Minds

Interactive toys, like treat-dispensing balls, keep their minds occupied and reduce boredom-fueled biting.

3. Socialize Early

Introduce your Bernedoodle or Aussiedoodle to other dogs and people in a controlled environment. Socialization helps puppies refine their bite inhibition and control.

4. Maintain a Routine

Stick to a consistent schedule for feeding, playtime, and walks. Predictability helps reduce anxiety, a potential trigger for nipping.

The First Step to a Happier Pup Starts Today

Training solutions for nipping and biting are all about patience, consistency, and the right tools. Whether you’re redirecting their behavior with positive reinforcement, safely introducing an e-collar, or making your home a more engaging space, every effort you make gets your puppy closer to calm and happy interactions.

If you’d like more in-depth guidance, Stokeshire offers resources on training and caring for puppies like Bernedoodles, Aussiedoodles, and other Bernese crosses. Explore our exclusive training guides or chat with one of our puppy care experts today.

Together, we can help your puppy grow into the well-behaved companion you’ve always dreamed of!