Best Ways to Train a Dog to Stop Nipping Around Kids

Use the 'OUCH!' Response to Stop Nipping

When a puppy nips a child, an adult nearby should yelp “OUCH!” at the exact moment the dog’s mouth closes on skin, hair, or clothes. This mimics how puppies communicate with each other and can help the dog understand that biting hurts. Immediately after the yelp, redirect the puppy’s attention to an appropriate chew toy. Over time, the dog learns to seek out a toy instead of the child when excited.

Dramatic Exit to Teach Consequences

If the dog keeps biting too hard, leave the room quickly without talking or looking back. Shut the door behind you. This teaches the dog that biting leads to losing a playmate. If the dog follows and bites your ankles, stop moving and stand still. If biting continues, consider using a bitter-tasting spray like Bitter Apple® on pants and shoestrings to make nipping unpleasant. After a few seconds of ignoring, re-engage—but start with a toy to redirect the behavior.

Redirect Play with Appropriate Toys

Puppies often nip because they’re exploring the world with their mouths and teething. To stop this, teach proper play using a favorite chew toy. When your dog nips, use the “remote control hold” (gently hold the jaw with one hand and insert your thumb into the mouth) to stop the bite, then offer the toy. Consistently redirecting the desire to bite onto acceptable objects helps the dog learn what’s okay to chew.

Manage the Environment and Antecedents

Never leave a dog unsupervised with rowdy, screaming children. Rough play and loud noises can excite a dog and trigger nipping—sometimes even leading to a dog “defending” a child. Instead, keep the dog with an adult during play. If you can’t prevent the situation, teach your dog to come to you when children are loud. Use a hand-touch cue before nipping starts—learn to recognize early signs like changes in breathing or body posture—and ask for a touch instead. This reprograms the dog’s response from nipping to calm contact.

Understand Why the Nipping Happens

Some nipping isn’t play—it’s a warning. If a dog raises lips, bares teeth, growls, or snaps at the air, it may be saying “back off.” This often happens when children are too rough or approach too suddenly. In these cases, give the dog space, let him choose to approach, and use treats or a favorite toy to build positive associations. Snapping can also stem from fear or pain—always rule out medical issues if behavior is sudden or uncharacteristic.