Puppy nipping can be a very frustrating problem for puppy owners to deal with and can become a serious problem if dealt with incorrectly. First we'll need to determine if a puppy is engaging in friendly nipping and mouthing or serious nipping and mouthing. Typically, friendly nipping and mouthing occurs during excitable greetings or during playtime with a puppy who is less than five months of age. Puppies are not unlike human babies in their need to explore their environment by touching and tasting everything. However, since puppies do not have hands, they reach out with their mouths.

Puppy nipping is also a form of social play between puppies and dogs. Puppies and dogs frequently interact with one another by placing their mouths and paws on each other. When a puppy grows up with other dogs, he gets very clear signals about what are acceptable and unacceptable ways to use his mouth and consequently learns how to inhibit his bite in order to remain socially acceptable. However, since human skin is more fragile than a dog’s fur-covered skin, puppies and dogs must learn that they cannot interact with us the way they interact with other dogs. Puppies and dogs must be taught alternative ways to greet, socialize, and play with their human companions. Most young, untrained puppies engage in this type of friendly nipping and mouthing behavior.