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Puppy Training


How to Get a Puppy to Stop Biting

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Contact Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida

Or Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

941-926-6751


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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 Sarasota / Venice, 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 of Southwest Florida offers a professional puppy training program near you in Sarasota / Venice to teach how to get a puppy to stop biting.

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


Silver

$1,495

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 3 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

$1,995

  • 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

OUR MOST POPULAR PACKAGE!

LIFETIME SUPPORT

Our platinum package offers you training sessions throughout your dog's lifetime! Follow-up sessions to be scheduled once per month as needed, after initial program is completed.

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 8 Sessions + Unlimited
    *see above description
  • Group Park Training Sessions Unlimited Sessions
  • Lifetime support via text/email and in-person support sessions *scheduled at trainer's discretion (no more than once per month, after completing initial program
  • AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing
  • 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)
  • *Off-Leash Training
  • *Emotional Support Dog Training(ESA)
  • *Control Aggression(dog & human)
  • *Calm Extreme Anxiety(behavioral modification)
  • *Public Access Training/Service Dog Preparation
Best In-Home Dog Trainers Near Me in Sarasota / Venice
Highest Rated Dog Obedience Trainers Near You in Sarasota / Venice
Top Dog Trainers Near Me in Sarasota / Venice
In-Home Dog Trainers Near You in Sarasota / Venice

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!

Whiskey was sweet but unsure of himself. He could be testy with new people. Whiskey’s demeanor and posture has shifted beautifully. Renee has been amazing in helping both of us. We look forward to continuing our journey as companions. Whiskey says, ‘obedience is hard work’ he takes himself to bed by 830p.
— AJ Schlake
Posted October 16th 2024
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It all started when Denise came for our in-home assessment, and she heard all of our concerns about our dog and was very honest about what the path(s) were for helping her. We appreciated how she made it all seem relatable and achievable. Anthony was an excellent individual dog trainer for our dog. He is patient and very instructive, and very accommodating for our dog as well as our other dog that wanted to be involved in training! Our dog has seen immense progress in just five sessions, and we are so grateful for how communicative, accommodating, and helpful Denise and her team have been. We are really looking forward to group classes!
— Jerome Schwich
Posted October 15th 2024
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Very, very happy with our experience with Dog training, we thought there was no hope for our rat looking dog. We highly recommend!!
— Kelly Spires
Posted September 17th 2024
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I couldn’t be happier with the team from Elite dog training. From my very first meeting to having now been thru my 11 home sessions, puppies then advanced obedience, Anthony has been a true delight to work with. Their methodology and hands on training of dogs and me has been excellent. After 30 years of showing English Setters I really wanted an intelligent highly trainable dog, which has turned out to be a Moyen poodle and she has been great. Planning on taking her into therapy and service work and can’t wait to continue now with group classes. Look no further, Elite is exactly that, highest quality. We’ll worth the money!!!
— Frank
Posted September 4th 2024
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We highly recommend Dog Training Elite and have had a very positive experience with our trainer Chris, who has given us such valuable puppy and obedience training lessons with our border collie Theo. Denise, the owner is also fabulous! We just came back from a group training session and noticed how much our 1 year old dog’s behavior has improved over the past few months, especially around other dogs. Thanks, Chris, Denise and group trainers for the top notch training which has been so helpful to us and Theo! 🐾
— Anne Gornto
Posted August 24th 2024
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I can't thank Chris from Dog Training Elite enough for the Service Dog Training of Leroy he provided. Quite thorough and rigorous, my (now) little service man learned quickly and the skills he gained have been so valuable for my well being I almost can't put into words what it means to me. I travel quite frequently and being able to confidently navigate busy spaces with Leroy in public not only helps keep me calm but also provides a life line if needed. This has improved my experiences not just in airplanes and at the airport but out and about as well, allowing me to feel safe and enjoy myself again, wherever we are. Most important is the specific task Leroy learned, which is now an invaluable part of my life. I recommend setting up a consultation to go over your unique dog training needs and determine the right path for your pack, whether basic obedience or service dog training. Our plan consisted of intensive in-home training to start, then once a regiment of commands were mastered we started attending group sessions, which were both fun and challenging. Surprisingly, training isn't just about our dogs, and Chris tailored some very unique public sessions for us (so grateful). This included going to the airport as well as other public spaces (mall, pet food store, dog park etc) in order to make sure I knew how to take the lead and maintain it in a variety of environments. BTW, the whole team is great ~ Anthony, Alisa and Denise were on hand during the group training, putting all the dogs through their paces and helping them master their newfound skills. Extra special thanks to Chris though, who was very patient, accommodating and put up with me getting stressed out, which was more than once! DTE SW Florida overall is a very caring group and I wouldn't hesitate to contact them and find out for yourselves how they can help you help your dogs put their best paws forward!
— Marcella Di Santo
Posted July 17th 2024
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Chris was an amazing asset to our puppy’s training. With him we have a completely different pup. Not only is our puppy’s obedience under control he is much calmer, especially in walking him. Chris changed our lives forever and taught me the tools to continue with Chevys training once he’s a year old. We look forward to seeing Chris at our group sessions.
— Nikki Hampton
Posted July 14th 2024
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Our experience with Dog Training Elite of SWF specifically CHRIS has been life changing for us. Chris has travelled far out of his usual travel zone to help us with our adopted 8yr old Lab Winter.Seriously, his patience and kind supportive instruction has made all the difference in helping Winter become a well behaved dog. Today was our first group lesson and I was very anxious as to how it would turn out. Winter did fabulous!!! I highly recommend Chris and the DTEOSWF group. They really have made a difference and it has been worth every penny. Thank you.
— Katherine Mitchell
Posted July 13th 2024
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Overall we were pleased with the 5 in-home sessions. Marshall is doing well with all of his commands. Loose leash training is still somewhat difficult, especially in the early morning when he is most excited. We could have benefitted from more calming techniques.
— Harry schoenfeld
Posted July 12th 2024
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Such an amazing team! Anthony did a wonderful job at training both German Sheps and myself! Highly recommend 🙌
— Mai Tran
Posted July 8th 2024
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Anthony was great! Cooper loved him too and we all learned a lot !!
— Dundie Crisp
Posted July 3rd 2024
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We love DTE! Highly recommend to anyone. Everyone tells me my dog is so well behaved. He’s only 7 months and listens incredibly well. He sits at the front door (with it open) and doesn’t run out before our outings. Enough said??! Chris did our in-home visits and we always felt encouraged after seeing him. Honestly I thought all this training was going to be a lot harder than it has been. They break it up so it’s little by little, and more fun and focused rather than rigid. Also they are QUICK to respond. Always. Whenever I needed to talk to Chris, he would call me soon after I texted the team. They know what they’re doing. Totally worth it. I guess you should know that we were very committed also… I was consistent in training daily and our hard work paid off. This wasn’t a once every two week training session and then expecting the dog to act right. The in-homes help with answering questions and moving to the next phase of things to work on, but if that’s the only training you do with the dog, I can’t imagine how that would be effective. Thank you Chris and DTE!!! What an awesome experience - you guys make this FUN!
— Brittany Ortiz
Posted June 19th 2024
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10/10 would recommend. Chris was very caring in communicating different ways to help me train my high energetic dog. My dog now looks for me for direction and commands. I cannot recommend DTE enough for training!
— Corrie Bexley
Posted June 5th 2024
google
The in-home classes and group classes are great. My trainer Chris has helped me with training my dog Benjamin and takes time to make sure that I'm doing ok with the training. He is wealth of knowledge that has made me a better dog handler. I would recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone.
— Michael Heaton
Posted June 1st 2024
google
Chris was great to work with and our Girl Chica did amazing with him. He‘s reliable, his knowledge with dogs and how he trains is great! Chica didn’t need a lot of training and got it down really well and understood it quickly. We can definitely recommend him and Dog Training Elite to anyone that is looking to get their dog trained on or off leash at home. We are super happy. Thank you so much
— Seraina Leubin
Posted May 21st 2024
google
Chris was amazing.
— Joan Flynn
Posted May 14th 2024
google
We have a reactive dog who has done really well with the training. I appreciate Anthony’s patience and knowledge. He made it fun. I’m looking forward to getting our dog to some of the group training as well
— Marjorie Shoobe
Posted April 3rd 2024
google
I can't recommend Chris from Dog Training Elite highly enough! From the very first session, it was clear that Chris is not just a dog trainer but a true professional who genuinely cares about the success of every dog he works with. My experience with him while training my pup Gaia has been exceptional in every way. Chris's patience throughout the training process was remarkable. He took the time to understand Gaia's unique personality and tailored the training sessions accordingly. His punctuality was also impressive; he always arrived on time with a smile, ready to dive into the training sessions. What sets Dog Training Elite apart is their commitment to excellence. They have a well-organized approach with a clearly defined roadmap to success. Whether it's one-on-one sessions or group classes, every aspect of the training is well-planned and executed. One thing that stood out to me was the personal touch. The team at Dog Training Elite knows their customers by name and goes above and beyond to provide help and support. This level of dedication is rare to find and speaks volumes about the company's values. But what truly sets Dog Training Elite apart is the passion that Chris and the entire team bring to their profession. They make training fun and engaging, and my pup Gaia always looks forward to her classes—a sure sign that they're doing something right!
— Andrea Couture
Posted May 9th 2024
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Anthony at Dog Training Elite helped me get my reactive dog under control. Within just a couple sessions, we saw noticeable differences with our dog, and by the end of our at home lessons, our dog is able to be out in public and completely under control. They are communicative and responsive for scheduling and questions. We highly recommend their team for general training but specifically for reactivity/aggression. If you would have told me a year ago I would be able to walk my dog in the farmer's market, I would not have believed you, but here we are! :)
— Molly Lanners
Posted April 29th 2024
google
When we first got our Rottweiler puppy, we began to wonder if we made a mistake. She was biting, chewing on objects, jumping on people, pulling on the leash, and using the bathroom in the house. Then we hired this amazing company to help us properly train our dog. Our Stella is an unbelievable puppy with an amazingly sweet demeanor. She is so well behaved now, we have a completely different dog! She is 7 months old now, and we constantly get compliments about how well behaved she is. This trainer is worth every single dollar. The best investment you’ll ever make. Anthony is an unbelievable trainer. He understands dogs so well, assists with any questions, and is very attentive to making sure you finish training with the best dog possible. I cannot say enough good things about him and this company. 10/10 all day long!
— Tyler Vaden
Posted April 25th 2024
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Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida 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 of Southwest Florida has an award winning program in Sarasota / Venice, 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 of Southwest Florida can teach you how to stop puppy biting.