Puppy 911: Week One Survival Guide--Navigating Nips, Bites, & Ouch!

Welcome to the First Week with Your Puppy: Navigating Nips, Bites & Ouch — Make It Stop!

(Series Part 1)

Congratulations on bringing home your adorable new Beechwood Goldendoodle puppy! The first week together is an exciting, joyful, and sometimes challenging adventure. One common hurdle our new puppy owners face is that pesky nipping and biting stage — those tiny, sharp teeth can catch you off guard, especially when all you want is snuggles. We've heard it over and over. Once you bring home your adorable little angel, life is heavenly—until a few days later! All of a sudden, fangs and horns appear! Don’t worry—we didn’t give you a Tasmanian Devil. Or a piranha.  This nipping and chewing with those pin-needle teeth is normal and temporary, lasting roughly 3-5 months. This phase is normal, temporary, and totally manageable with the right approach.

Why Do Puppies Nip and Bite?

Puppies learn about their world through their mouths. They play with their littermates by pouncing, nipping, and yipping — it’s natural! When they come home with you, they see your hands and feet as new playthings, just like their siblings. Remember, it’s all part of their development and usually lasts around 3-5 months.

Your Game Plan for Nipping & Biting

1. Understand the Behavior

Your pup is mimicking what they’ve done before — play with their littermates. They’re exploring and practicing their natural instincts. Their tiny teeth are sharp, but this is a temporary stage.

2. Avoid the “No” Loop

Focusing on saying “No” or punishing can sometimes make things worse. Instead, aim for the “YES” loop: reward good behavior, and gently ignore or redirect bad behavior. When your pup starts to nip, try to anticipate and redirect before they latch on.

3. Interrupt and Redirect

Use a firm noise like “Ahah!”, a clap, or a quick kiss sound to interrupt the behavior. Then, offer a more appropriate outlet: a chew toy, a game, or a cozy crate. Keep your pup’s brain busy with positive activities.

Training Tips for the First Week

• Touch & Treat: Gently pet your puppy, then give a treat before they nip. When they’re calm, say “YES!” and reward. Gradually increase petting time as they stay relaxed.

• Set a Routine: Puppies thrive on consistency.

• Alternate playtime with quiet time in the crate or tether.

• Watch for these energy “zones”:

  1. Calm Zone: Petting, grooming, calm cuddles

  2. Playful Zone: Engaged, energetic play

  3. Overstimulated Zone: Biting, ignoring commands, non-cooperative — time to crate and settle!

If your puppy is in the third zone, high energy or overstimulated, it’s best to pause training and let them relax in their crate until they settle down.

Tips for Kids

• Kids’ quick movements can trigger nipping. Teach them to keep things safe and calm:

• No roughhousing or jerky hand motions

• Hands are not toys — if bitten, have the child fold arms, turn away, or ignore for about 12 minutes

• Use structured play, like hide-and-seek, to keep interactions fun and safe

Identify What Motivates Your Puppy’s Mouth

• Movement? Offer treats while petting to redirect attention

• Teething? Frozen washcloths can soothe gums

• Chasing pants or feet? Drag a toy or feed treats while walking

• Chewing furniture? Provide durable toys or antlers as safe alternatives

Remember:

Nipping with tiny, sharp teeth is normal at this stage. It’s a phase that will pass! Focus on rewarding your puppy when they behave well, and gently redirect when they nip. Keep training sessions calm and positive, and if your puppy is overly energetic or nipping too much, it’s okay to crate and give them time to settle.

Hang in there — you’re helping your puppy learn good habits that will last a lifetime. This first week is just the beginning of a wonderful journey together. Stay tuned for more tips in this series!

You’ve got this! And always know that we're here to support you--reach out for training resources, such as Baxter and Bella, the trusted companions behind our success at Beechwood Goldendoodles! Use our discount code Beechwood for a 25% discount, by the way! We're excited to guide you on your journey!