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How to Get a Puppy to Stop Biting

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There is so much to love about puppies. They’re adorable, snuggly, loving and playful. But puppies also come with some destructive behaviors — accidents inside the house, chewing on things they aren’t supposed to, and perhaps worst of all, biting.

Biting, or “mouthing,” is part of how a puppy learns about the world. It’s often meant to be a playful behavior, but those sharp little teeth can hurt! Here are a few tips on how to stop puppy biting in Nashville, even in a playful way.

Looking for more comprehensive puppy training? Check out our Puppy Essentials Webinar or schedule a free in-home assessment with one of our professional trainers.

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville offers a professional puppy training program near you in Nashville to teach how to get a puppy to stop biting.

Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Central Nashville location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.


Silver

$1,995

Training Equipment Included: E-Collar

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 3 Sessions
  • Group Park Training Sessions 8 Sessions
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit (next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place (go to bed)
  • Quiet (stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)

Gold

$2,395

Training Equipment Included: E-Collar

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 5 Sessions
  • Group Park Training Sessions 12 Sessions
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)
  • Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
  • Manners, Safety & Boundaries
  • Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
  • Housebreaking / Potty Training
  • STOP Jumping on People
  • STOP Mouthing & Nipping
  • STOP Chewing & Digging
  • STOP Begging & Stealing Food
  • STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
  • STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
  • STOP Reactivity (dog & human)

Platinum

$2,995

Platinum offers advanced obedience/behavioral modification with a goal of off-leash control. Includes additional training options and offers more one-on-one and group sessions than Gold.

Training Equipment Included: E-Collar

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 8 Sessions
  • Group Park Training Sessions 16 Sessions
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)
  • Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
  • Manners, Safety & Boundaries
  • Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
  • Housebreaking / Potty Training
  • STOP Jumping on People
  • STOP Mouthing & Nipping
  • STOP Chewing & Digging
  • STOP Begging & Stealing Food
  • STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
  • STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
  • STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
  • *Stay With You on a Job or Bike Ride (off-leash)
  • *Emotional Support Dog Training(ESA)
  • *Control Aggression(dog & human)
  • *Calm Extreme Anxiety(behavioral modification)
Best In-Home Dog Trainers Near Me in Nashville
Highest Rated Dog Obedience Trainers Near You in Nashville
Top Dog Trainers Near Me in Nashville
In-Home Dog Trainers Near You in Nashville

Our Balanced Theory

We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.


  • Empowering Owners
    We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
  • Personalized
    We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
  • Environment Specific
    We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
  • Supportive
    We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
  • Involved
    We work with all members of the household.
  • Simplified & Customized
    We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
  • Continued Training
    Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
  • Lifetime Investment
    We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
  • Satisfaction Ratings
    Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.

We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!

He was fantastic with Pebbles and with helping Kris understand how to control her
— Pam Collins
Posted October 19th 2024
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Jen is great would definitely go to her again
— Jessica Sherbourne
Posted October 18th 2024
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Jen explains everything and answers any questions i have without leving me with more questions then answers
— Jessica A.M. Sherbourne
Posted October 18th 2024
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I love working with the Dog Training Elite Central Nashville Team! They have provided me with a source of confidence when it comes to training my dog. If I ever have any questions they are always polite and reply in a timely manner. They truly are rooting for their clients to succeed!! Parker has been great in One on One sessions and always has great advice for working with Briar at home!
— Breanna Rose
Posted October 17th 2024
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Im permanently disabled and in a wheelchair. I had just bought a Burnese Mountain Dog pup and was curious about service training for her. I found DTE through web searching and took a leap with their service. I cannot express the amount of care and professionalism their team provides to each individual dog and their owner's needs. The classes/sessions occur both privately and in group settings. The locations chosen for the classes range from large stores like Lowe's, small parks, and your own home. All the training I received was expertly communicated to me as a dog owner and all training objectives are made clear throughout each individual process. I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite more to anyone looking to obedience or service training a dog.
— John
Posted October 14th 2024
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Great initial meeting. I think this company has the right program from my Biewer Terrier. Looking forward to seeing results!
— David Doucette
Posted October 11th 2024
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After just four sessions with DTE, my very anxious rescue is already showing so much progress! He’s building his confidence every day with the methods the DTE team has used, and my confidence in my own ability to simultaneously be in charge and put him at ease is growing too. I used to barely be able to keep my pup outside long enough for him to do his business before some noise would scare him so badly he’d almost pull me over trying to run inside. A month into training, we’re going on real walks around the neighborhood! The DTE team is so kind, professional, helpful and responsive, and the training has improved both my and my dog’s quality of life. Couldn’t be happier with the progress we’ve made so far, and excited to continue!
— Sarah Arnold
Posted October 8th 2024
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Was well Renia is a good trainer well informed me and I learned a lot.
— Robert Horton
Posted October 1st 2024
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Luna and I had our initial meeting with Parker today. He was very professional and well spoken. I can, from his demonstration tell that Luna will be exceptionally well prepared to be my service dog, once she’s gone through the training.
— Jamie Cleaton
Posted October 3rd 2024
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Reina was great and explained the process for training our dog very well. Franklin grew more confident and we have seen great improvement. He loved working with Reina!
— A Wamble
Posted October 3rd 2024
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Best experience ever. I already had a good dog. And Parker came in and in a few sessions and conversations my dog is so much easier. Walking and not dragging me along, coming when called have changed my life. Parker has the best service I’ve experienced in the dog training arena, always available patient and willing to work around me to see that my dog gets the best possible training. 10/10 would recommend.
— Abrielle Davies
Posted November 11th 2022
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We currently have two lab puppies training with Elite and we couldn’t be more pleased. Izabel and Parker are extremely knowledgeable, firm and kind and have supported us through a most challenging puppy stage. We are so happy to have two beautiful dogs who are responding very well to the Elite methods of training!
— Family Sills
Posted October 1st 2024
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We love Izabel and the Elite team. Our daughter and pup are thriving and we couldn’t be happier.
— Kami Harold
Posted December 8th 2023
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We have had a great experience with Elite! Izabel and Parker have done a wonderful job with our boys, and we are very grateful!
— Tyler Sills
Posted October 1st 2024
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Dog Training Elite has been amazing! My dog, Lola, and I have made great strides as we have worked with the group, and Reina has been great! She trains ME how to train and work consistently with my pup. We are working towards therapy certification, and I’m so glad we found Dog Training Elite. Highly recommend!
— Holly Horncastle
Posted September 30th 2024
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Parker and the team at Dog Training Elite Central Nashville have been so helpful with our GSD puppy. My husband and I are first time dog owners and quickly realized we needed guidance with our high energy pup. The training team is so knowledgeable and professional, and really take the time to explain the process to us. We have seen drastic improvements in our boy after every session. We are so thankful we found Dog Training Elite Central Nashville!
— Jennifer Hoffman
Posted September 30th 2024
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Our two Great Pyrenees mix pups were getting too difficult to train on our own. When the trainer (Reina) arrived for the assessment she knew what we needed- and we have learned so much! She loves dogs, is easy to work with, and responds quickly when there are any questions, issues, or schedule changes. Highly recommend!
— Mollie Woltmann
Posted September 25th 2024
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Our Dog Is Now The Star of Home Depot! We only wish we'd found you sooner! Zeppelin is our rescued & when triggered, berserk dog. He goes berserk at the sight of another dog. Pulling the leash, attack mode, very loud & ferocious. We feared for ourselves as well. He was an at-risk animal from a shelter before we even knew what at-risk means. It means: at-risk of not getting adopted & staying adopted. Sounds familiar? You're at the absolute right place to make effective changes in your dog, and in your lives. Even if your dog isn't at-risk of going back to a shelter, or you're often wishing you could give it away. Don't! Especially if you're in love with your dog + they are now a member of your family. Because after Elite's expert trainers: Now he's a behavioral star! Side note: My father was a psychotherapist & professor. I can guarantee you this review is what my father would have written about Elite and our behaviorally transformed dog! Prior to Elite's incredible trainers, Izabel & Parker, we had gone through 3 trainers & medications. Many hours with $1,000 trainers and many hours on own own + without a change from his being triggered & going berserk. We as a family always watchful & afraid. Including respectfully, the department for canine behavioral-change at University of Tennessee Knoxville. The same happened with the best private Williamson County rescue trainer, no change at all. Calming medications didn't work either. No one was a match for him. Sad! Methods that failed: Prong collar walking, walking with string cheese rewards, and group dog desensitization sessions with spray bottles. All of them gave up. There was no going outside the house for us & Zeppelin. Home Depot absolutely out of the question. Previous trainers tried, and we all left the store totally defeated. NOW! For us & for the dog himself, the behavioral reconditioning and reprogramming from Elite is easily worth many times over what we paid previous trainers! The transformation is priceless. I'm so glad that I get to see it now, daily. He now knows that we are in control of his mood & that greatly calms him down. No shock collars. No training with treats. No negative or positive vocal prompts. No forced grouping training with punishments. No water-spray bottles, no leash & prong collar jerking. No stern language or mood is needed. No punishments at all, actually. Very specific vibration collar and transmitter are provided. The best & most professional equipment & expertise using them. Very professional, simply the best. Guided group training with a muzzle is coming up. Very much like Zen, less-is-more technique. 30 minute sessions. All in your own backyard, they come to you. What could be better for so vast the change? Literally, Home Depot with a triggered rescue dog is a mammoth exercise. An impossibility after all other top trainers. He simply went berserk, forcing quick exits. He's especially triggered by much smaller dogs. We do not know why. Now, we don't have to know why. Now after only 6-8 training sessions with Elite, inside Home Depot he calmly performed Heal, Sit, and Down in the store! Unbelievable! He now has no distraction nor triggers! Another dog walked inside the aisle we're in, right behind him. He just sat there, maintaining calm eye contact with us! Elite's trainers Izabel & Parker have totally cured him. They are the wisest dog psychologists you could ever dream of working with your dog! Inside Home Depot, calmly walked him, working his commands. Then the sweetest, eldest cashier came to us "May I meet your pretty dog?" He calmly sat while she gave him a doggy bacon strip! Parking lot leaving the store, a man called out "That's a beautiful dog you have there!". Before the Elite transformation there wasn't any chance for any such compliments. Now there is & yes, now he is pretty, with even more possibilities with Elite to come! One last thing: You deserve this too. Help your dog and the enjoyments will be endless.
— Bob Schmerda
Posted September 23rd 2024
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Reina did great with Max! He absolutely loved his time with her ❤️
— Rachel Baudendistel
Posted September 19th 2024
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Reina did excellent with training my dog Ghost. Reina is very punctual and patient with Ghost.
— Jessica Coleman
Posted September 17th 2024
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Dog Training Elite Central Nashville offers expert services - like how to stop puppy biting.

How to Get a Puppy to Stop Biting? Teach them that Biting Hurts

Getting a puppy to quit mouthing is actually very simple. You just have to teach your puppy that biting hurts.

How do you teach this? By helping your puppy learn “bite inhibition.” Bite inhibition is a puppy or a dog’s ability to control how hard they bite. Typically puppies learn bite inhibition from playing with other puppies. Biting or mouthing is a common play tactic between puppies and dogs, but occasionally a puppy will bite too hard. This causes their playmate to yelp with pain and stop playing.

The reaction of the bitten puppy helps the puppy who did the biting realize their mistake and learn not to bite so hard. Just like puppies learn how to be gentle with each other, they can learn the same lesson from humans. Even if your puppy has learned bite inhibition while playing with other puppies or dogs, they still need to be taught how sensitive human skin is.

Follow the example of your puppy’s playmates. Let your puppy mouth your hands during play. When they bite you too hard, yelp like a puppy and let your hand go limp to indicate that you have been hurt. This should stop your puppy from continuing to bite you or continuing to play. When they stop, or if they attempt to make you feel better by licking your hand, praise your puppy and resume play. You can also try “time-outs” for your puppy, where you stop playing for 20 seconds after being bitten.

The goal is to teach your puppy that if they bite, playing stops. If they are gentle, play continues. Make sure to reward your puppy with praise and possibly treats when they do a good job. At Dog Training Elite, we know positive reinforcement is the best and most effective way to train puppies and dogs.

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Take it to the Next Level

Once your puppy understands that they shouldn’t bite human skin hard, start working on teaching them not to bite human skin at all. Use the same techniques of yelping and stopping play. Over time, gradually reduce the amount of biting you allow until your puppy eventually learns not to bite at all.

Some other techniques for to stop mouthing include the distraction method. If your puppy tends to want to bite you when you pet him, distract him with treats so he’ll get used to being touched without mouthing your hands or arms. Keep your puppy’s favorite toy with you, and if she starts mouthing your hands, give her the toy to bite instead.

What to Avoid

There are some behaviors we humans tend to engage in when we want to play with puppies that actually encourage them to bite. If you’re at a loss for how to stop a puppy from biting, make sure to avoid these habits:

  • Avoid wiggling your fingers or toes in your puppy’s face to entice them to play. This encourages your puppy to bite your hands and feet.
  • Don’t jerk your hands away from your puppy if they bite you. They might lunge forward to grab you with their mouth.
  • Never slap or hit a puppy for biting. This ineffective and cruel and can backfire as a training method. Your puppy might start to play more aggressively, with more biting, or they can become afraid of you.

At Dog Training Elite, we never use physical punishment to train puppies and dogs. We focus on rewarding desired behaviors. This method of training helps build a strong, loving bond between puppies and their owners.

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville has an award winning program in Nashville, including how to get a puppy to stop biting.

Start Puppy Training Now

Teaching your pup not to bite is a huge accomplishment. But puppies have so much more to learn, and even the thought of having to train a puppy can be overwhelming. If you’re struggling with your puppy’s destructive behavior or looking for help with general training, call Dog Training Elite. We have a tried and true training method that really works for dogs of any age, including puppies. Dog Training Elite offers both individual in–home training and obedience classes for puppies.

In–home training is the perfect way to help you and your puppy bond while working with one of our professional trainers. Our trainers will adapt training to your environment and needs and empower you to continue training on your own. Obedience classes are also a great way to help your puppy learn by exposing them to other dogs and people and new sights and sounds. Combining in–home training with obedience classes ensures a well–behaved puppy who learns quickly.

What are you waiting for? Contact Dog Training Elite today for a free in–home assessment or schedule a free training demo to see what your puppy can become.

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville can teach you how to stop puppy biting.