Puppies do not find anything wrong with biting objects, other dogs, and people if it's done in play. However, as the dog's alpha leaders, we need to know better. At most, they need to control and discipline the tendency to bite right from their puppyhood.

To prevent any chances of the dog misinterpreting the puppy bite training it will get regarding biting, you as owner need to teach a puppy to stop biting in 3 stages, with each stage lasting around a week.

During the first week, try yelping or suddenly letting out a quick "Ouch!" whenever your puppy clamps down on your hand or foot. Then immediately turn away from the dog, as if to tend to your "wounds." Pretend not to notice him for some 30 seconds, before doing again the last activity you were doing (provided it is not an activity where you were doing something that was provoking him, e.g. playing a rough tug-of-war, or playing tag and pinching him).

In the second week of puppy bite training, add the following improvement to what you were doing in week 1, which is to sound off even if the dog only bites you gently or tugs at your shirt.

What happens in the third week is that you yell out and stop paying attention to him if he even nudges your skin or clothing with his mouth. Put away the toy if he touches your hand or clothing with his incisors in the confusion of a game, then end the game and put away the toy for that meeting. The dog learns this is what happens whenever he even tries to act in a way that resembles biting.

Other things to remember

This puppy bite training is a process that is not fool-proof for all puppies. So it is likely that your yelping will make your dog even more agitated in case he has grown accustomed to biting to attract attention, or if he is well over 14 weeks old.

If you've been trying to get results from this yelping technique for 2 weeks already and you have yet to gain the upper hand, then why not simply give a firm, clear ‘no’ when he bites? Pick the dog up and confine him in a separate room or behind a baby gate for 2 minutes.

But in the event the dog gets more provoked when picked up, the next step for you is to leave promptly the dog alone and close the door behind you. Let him wait it out for 2 minutes, after which he can join you again, but with the additional penalty of no immediate playing. Wait for him to calmly sit down or lie down, before rewarding him with play or praise.

Lastly, it needs to be clear that rough-play or wrestling with your pup can encourage biting. The danger is that he will think people like it when he is excited, and all the things he does when excited (including biting) are alright!