Is This Normal? Finder · Mouth and teeth
My puppy bites everyone. Is that normal?
By Dr. Steve Pelton, DVM
The short answer
Yes. Puppies explore and play with their mouths, and you're the new littermate. Teething and being overtired make it worse. Most puppies soften with practice, and the biting usually eases a lot once the adult teeth are in, around 5 to 7 months.
Why it happens
In the litter, puppies learn how hard is too hard by biting each other and hearing a yelp. At your house, you're the littermate, so his mouth is how he says let's play.
Which door?
WATCHPuppy mouthing is normal and peaks in the first months.
CALL TODAYHe suddenly starts biting when he didn't before, or a bite breaks skin after the adult teeth are in.
Usually normal
- Nipping hands, sleeves and shoelaces
- Worse when he's tired or excited
- Getting softer week by week
When to call
Tick what fits and see which door you're at.
What helps
- Trade: offer a toy the moment teeth come out
- Pause: if teeth land on skin, stand up and go still for a few seconds
- Nap: a land shark at 7 p.m. often needs sleep
- Never hit, flick his nose, scruff him or hold his mouth shut
Under 16 weeks, a toy breed, or not done with his shots? Move everything one door closer to GO NOW.
Not sure which door you're at? That's a call. Call your vet.
Worried right now? Check the Three Doors list, from most urgent down, and stop at the first door that fits.
Is this an emergency?General education, not veterinary advice. Your vet's plan for your puppy comes first.