How To Stop German Shepherd Puppy From Biting (4-Step Guide)

Dying to know how to stop your German Shepherd puppy from biting?

Great! We got you covered, pet parent.

The teething stage is a shared growing pain for puppies and their doting, owners but this milestone doesn’t have to be a long rocky road.

Funny german shepherd puppy biting owners hand, top view

For one, you can convince little Doggo that there are other things more appealing to gnaw and chew on other than your hands or your favorite kicks.

In this Dig Doggy article, you will learn:

  • Why German Shepherd puppies bite a lot
  • How to curb a German Shepherd’s love for biting
  • How to properly teach German Shepherd puppies bite inhibition

And much more!

What's In This Guide?

      What Do You Need To Know About puppy German Shepherd Biting?

      Baby teeth will start emerging through the gums around three weeks of age. By six weeks, all 28 deciduous teeth are present.

      Also known as needle teeth, these long and sharp teeth will start falling out at around 12 weeks and by then, your puppy’s permanent teeth will begin to erupt.

      By the time your German Shepherd is seven or eight months old, he should have all of his permanent teeth — a total of 42 adult teeth.

      Veterinarians advise against pulling loose teeth. 

      A canine’s tooth has long roots; pulling them can break a root and leave some parts behind that could lead to an infection.

      Albeit rare, there are cases of retained deciduous teeth. 

      If your German Shepherd has a persistent deciduous tooth, you should schedule an appointment with your vet to have it extracted.

      Read More: >> Can you use a muzzle for GSD biting? 

      Supplies That You’ll Need To Stop Your German Shepherd Puppy From Biting

      small gsd puppy nipping my finger

      How To Stop Your German Shepherd Puppy From Biting (4-Simple Steps)

      Enforcing early and focused training is the most important step in stopping your German Shepherd puppy from biting.

      Know that training is imperative for all breeds and not just exclusive to powerful, hulking canines.

      So, here’s how you can prevent your German Shepherd from becoming a landshark.

      Step 1: Let Out a Yelp or Use a Verbal Cue

      Yelping in imitation of how a littermate might react to a painful bite is one of the most effective ways to teach your puppy bite inhibition.

      Because back in the whelping box, young puppies would frolic with their littermates.

      A sibling would squeal as a response to pain or discomfort if one pup plays too rough.

      You can also firmly bellow words, such as “stop,” “ouch,” or “no.” However, you need to use the same word each time to stay consistent.

      German Shepherds are smart; your puppy will eventually learn the meaning of the command.

      Bear in mind; you should never yell, scream, or shout at your puppy. Dogs are smart enough to respond to the tone and volume of your voice.

      Our canine companions can feel verbal abuse.

      Step 2: Withdraw Your Attention

      You should not intimidate your puppy even if he is behaving poorly. Unfortunately, some furballs can be too stubborn, refusing to listen to verbal commands.

      If your naughty pup continues to dig his tiny fangs into your skin, simply turn your back and ignore him for a minute or two.

      This temporary withdrawal of physical contact, play, and affection is particularly effective for puppies who bite mainly to grab your attention.

      Expect your furbaby to follow you around, attempting to latch onto your ankles.

      Regardless, don’t pay him any attention to let him know that you are unhappy with his misconduct.

      You may use a pet gate to deter your pup from chasing you around.

      You should not let your puppy out until he calms down; otherwise, he will associate whining as key to make you bend to his whims.

      Moreover, you should not feel bad as this withdrawal does not equate to social isolation.

      Your puppy must understand that biting will end playtime and deprive him of the attention he craves.

      Step 3: Use Diversion Tactics

      Divert Pupper’s fangs from ankles and hands to chews. A fantastic example would be N-Bone Teething Rings.

      This toy comes with a built-in chicken flavor that will appeal to your puppy’s tastebuds and a texture to help clean teeth and soothe sore gums.

      There is no need to limit your furbaby to one single toy. The Pet Qwerks BarkBone Stick in Butter is also highly recommended.

      Regardless, no toy is truly indestructible although the manufacturer claims otherwise.

      You will want to avoid giving your German Shepherd non-edible chews unless during supervised playtime.

      Don’t underestimate the puppy power of a German Shepherd! Besides, monitoring your furball play is a nice way to spend time together and build a strong bond.

      Step 4: Always Use Positive Reinforcement

      Positive reinforcement is the key to leading your puppy toward good behaviors and away from unpleasant ones.

      So, always gear yourself up with treats and a clicker. But why do you give a treat every time you click?

      You will want to use a clicker because it creates an auditory cue that makes training a lot more fun for your canine; thus, making it more efficient.

      Read More: >> How strong is an adult GSDs bite? How much biting force? 

      Final Thoughts on GSD puppy biting

      Albeit uncomfortable and painful, teething is a normal experience not just for human babies but for our furry tots as well. Consider it a rite of passage!

      During this months-long process, your puppy will target all kinds of objects to alleviate the discomfort and relieve boredom.

      After all, chewing is one way for puppies to explore their environment.

      Although there is not much you can do during the teething phase, you can teach your German Shepherd pup bite inhibition and supply him with safe chews to relieve the pain and discomfort.

      Lara Writes

      Lara Writes

      Lara, a.k.a Alpha Mama, is a great dancer and belter singer, although the world tells her otherwise. However, her greatest pleasure is working with animals. If the Alpha Mama is not being delusional, she manages to create informative articles and clear-cut buying guides. She also likes to share her personal experiences that may ignite your soul or possibly change your life!

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      Lara Writes

      Lara Writes

      Lara, a.k.a Alpha Mama, is a great dancer and belter singer, although the world tells her otherwise. However, her greatest pleasure is working with animals. If the Alpha Mama is not being delusional, she manages to create informative articles and clear-cut buying guides. She also likes to share her personal experiences that may ignite your soul or possibly change your life!

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