Puppies explore the world with their mouths and excitement, which is why nipping and jumping are two of the most common behaviors new dog owners face. While these habits may seem cute at first, they can quickly become frustrating as your puppy grows. The good news is that addressing these behaviors early makes training much easier and helps your puppy learn appropriate ways to interact with people.
Why Puppies Nip and Jump
Puppies nip because it is a natural way for them to play and explore. When they interact with their littermates, they use their mouths constantly. Once they come home with you, they continue this behavior because they have not yet learned that human skin is different from a puppy’s fur.
Jumping usually comes from excitement. Puppies naturally jump to greet people because they want attention and interaction. If they receive attention while jumping, even if it is just pushing them away or talking to them, they learn that jumping works.
Teach Calm Greetings
One of the best ways to prevent jumping is to only reward calm behavior. When your puppy approaches you calmly with all four paws on the ground, give them attention or praise. If they jump, simply turn your body away and ignore the behavior. Once they settle, you can acknowledge them again. Puppies quickly learn that calm behavior gets attention while jumping does not.
Redirect Nipping
When your puppy starts to nip, calmly redirect their attention to an appropriate toy or chew. Puppies need outlets for their natural chewing instincts, and having toys readily available helps guide them toward acceptable behavior.
Consistency is key. Every member of the household should respond to nipping the same way so the puppy does not become confused about what is allowed.
Provide Structure and Boundaries
Puppies thrive when they understand expectations. Short training sessions, daily routines, and consistent rules help them learn faster. Practicing basic commands like “sit” before greeting people can also help replace jumping with a calmer behavior.
When Professional Training Can Help
Some puppies need additional guidance to fully break these habits. Working with a professional trainer can help owners understand how to establish clear leadership and reinforce positive behaviors. Always Faithful Dog Training can help guide both you and your puppy through proven training methods that build calm, respectful behavior from an early age.
Addressing nipping and jumping early sets the foundation for a well-behaved dog and a stronger relationship between you and your pet.