A dog undergoing training with the experts at Dog Training Elite - get professional puppy biting training in Grand Rapids, MI and help your dog curb this bad habit.
Dog Training Elite

How to Stop Puppy Biting in Grand Rapids, MI

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Request Free Assessment

Our Biting Behavior Training Could Help:
Reduce fear-based biting
Address anxiety-related biting
Manage teething behaviors
Improve impulse control
Build confidence in social settings
Enhance trust with owner
Prevent aggression toward other animals
Ensure safe interactions with children and adults

Stop Puppy Biting with Dog Training Elite

Dog & Puppy Biting Training in Grand Rapids, MI

Biting is a natural response for dogs, especially puppies. It can come from anxiety, fear, past experiences, or simply a lack of training. While biting may seem harmless, if left unchecked, it can become dangerous for other animals and pose serious safety risks to children and adults. Addressing this behavior early is essential to having a well-behaved, calm dog.

At Dog Training Elite, we offer customized training plans designed to address the root causes of biting. Whether it’s due to teething, fear, or other underlying issues, our trainers work closely with you to develop a targeted approach for your dog’s specific needs.

With DTE, you get expert training backed by nearly 50 years of experience and a commitment to excellence. With a focus on balanced training, we ensure your pup feels safe and secure while providing effective and lasting results.

Call today to schedule your free consultation and stop biting behavior issues with our elite dog and puppy biting training in Grand Rapids, MI.

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You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

A Dog Training Elite West Michigan owner smiling with his dog in Grand Rapids, MI.

Dog Training Elite West Michigan

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

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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.

An image of an adorable puppy - get expert puppy biting training in Grand Rapids, MI with Dog Training Elite.

Take it to the Next Level

Dog Training Elite West Michigan

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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 them, distract them with treats so they'll get used to being touched without mouthing your hands or arms. Keep your puppy’s favorite toy with you, and if they starts mouthing your hands, give them the toy to bite instead.

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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Laura Thomas
    Nov. 24, 2025
    Absolutely Exceptional Training Experience! Dog Training Elite of West Michigan has been an absolute blessing to our family. Before choosing a trainer for our new puppy, my husband and I did a tremendous amount of research. We intentionally got a dog because our daughter was recently diagnosed with autism, and we learned so much about how incredibly helpful and grounding dogs can be for children with sensory and emotional needs. Because of that, we knew we needed a trainer who would truly meet our family where we’re at, someone who could come into our home and help us all learn together in the environment where it mattered most. We could not have chosen better. Every part of the process has been smooth, supportive, and unbelievably effective. The owner (and our trainer) has been nothing short of remarkable. She is gifted not only with dogs, but with families, patient, encouraging, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring. She stepped into our home with such understanding and compassion, helping guide us through this entire process, especially since this is my first dog ever. Her support has meant the world. This training has been an investment, but it has been worth every single penny. Our puppy is now calm, attentive, and such a joy within our home. The progress she’s made is incredible, and I know so much of that is because of the classes, structure, and individualized guidance we’ve received through Dog Training Elite. Even if you’re not planning on having a service or therapeutic dog, I cannot recommend this training enough. Whether you have a brand-new puppy or a dog you’ve loved for years, the tools, confidence, and communication you gain are invaluable. This program truly sets your entire family—and your dog—up for success. We are so grateful for Dog Training Elite of West Michigan and can’t say enough good things about our experience. Truly outstanding in every way. 💛🐾
  • Jessica S
    Nov. 19, 2025
    Carrie has been delightful to work with. From the initial zoom meeting to our in person meetings she has been attentive to answer any questions and concerns and we have already made leaps and bounds with our boy Ash. She has great ideas, works well with dogs and people! She never seems rushed and is very present where she is to meet us all where we are. The ecollar training has been an absolute game changer and Ash responds so well to this new form of communication he never had before. His reactivity on walks and at the fences is going so well and the hike we did off leash after just two sessions was his best ever. He is comprehending listening and respecting us at a greater level and we are doing better at marking and encouraging him. We have been able to tighten up on things we had never considered before and each lesson we are left thinking how grateful we are for all of the professional help. The accountability is great as well. We are looking forward to our next lesson! We did the best package and think it already is and will continue to be well worth the money spent.
  • Michael Lewis
    Nov. 11, 2025
    Carrie is an amazing dog trainer. She has such a strong, calm command with the dogs and they respond to her right away. She trained our golden retriever puppy and helped refine our 4-year-old golden who had some long-standing house behavior problems. The difference has been incredible. She also gave us great recommendations for collars, leashes, grooming tools, and an overall training approach that really works. We’re so thankful for her help and can’t recommend her enough.
  • Elena
    Oct. 25, 2025
    I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite. All of my dog’s questions and concerns were answered in detail. I feel so much more confident with my dog and can’t wait to see how she continues to improve.
  • Araceli Warners
    Oct. 14, 2025
    We’ve had such a great experience working with Carrie at Dog Training Elite of West Michigan. The private, one-on-one lessons have been incredibly helpful in training our therapy pup, and Carrie’s calm, knowledgeable, and supportive approach has made all the difference. She truly cares and it shows in every session. We’re so grateful for her guidance and couldn’t recommend her more!
  • Jennifer Dykstra
    Sep. 17, 2025
    Carrie at Dog Training Elite West Michigan is great. She’s professional and a good listener. She explains everything and takes her time. I love that she comes to you to work with your dog in their environment! I highly recommend DTE!!
  • Natalie Claire
    Sep. 9, 2025
    I am working with Carie and she is THE BEST!!! I could never find a better dog trainer. I did so so much research to find the best trainer and i found Dog Training Elite and everything she says and teaches is amazing!!! They are very educated and know their stuff. I am so proud of who my dog has become and i can’t wait to continue my service dog journey with him, Carie and her business Dog Training Elite West Michigan!!! I could never recommend them enough they are so so so amazing and professional and everything they do is literally perfect i love them so much!!! If you are training a service dog or just need training CHOOSE THEM!! They are amazing lots of love to you Dog Training Elite!! 🩷
  • Kelly Barcheski
    Aug. 22, 2025
    Love Carrie and Dog Training Elite! So happy we went this route with our GSD. She’s very thorough and provides confidence to both the owner and the pup!
  • JB Jordan
    Jul. 18, 2025
    Carrie did an amazing job with our three rescue pit mix puppies. She guided us in how to properly execute the commands that result in happy obedient puppies. I highly recommend! This company earns every dollar you invest in your canine quadruped companions!
  • Rachel Smiertka
    Jul. 18, 2025
    Carrie is great and really knows her stuff. She started by helping us train some bad habits out of our Doberman. Then she helped us by picking out the perfect Golden and is now training him as a service dog for my daughter. Carrie is very patient, accommodating in scheduling and always available to answer questions.
  • Laurel Borchardt
    Jul. 9, 2025
    Carrie has been a god spend for us & our golden retriever, Sonny!! Our dog loves training with her & she is so knowledgeable, attentive, firm & loving! Our dog is so well behaved now& the biggest improvements we have seen are his listening & demeanor outside, on walks healing, and how quickly he listens to us with distractions around. We are so appreciative of these trainings& would recommend Carrie to anyone! We are finishing up or one on one sessions & looking forward to group classes soon!
  • Brad Fischer
    Jun. 25, 2025
    The best training we could have hoped for! Our dog has learned very quickly and can now be trusted off leash among other things. Would definitely recommend
  • Molly Ellis
    Jun. 9, 2025
    Carrie was terrific— good w us and great w our dogs We learned a lot and so did the dogs— we highly recommend her
  • Kayty Ihara
    May. 27, 2025
    We couldn’t be happier with the results we’ve seen from working with Carrie at Dog Training Elite. From the very first session, it was clear that Carrie is not only highly knowledgeable and professional, but also genuinely passionate about helping dogs and their owners succeed. She took the time to understand our dog (Boomer) unique personality and needs, and tailored the training accordingly. Her calm, confident, and engaging approach put both us and our dog at ease, and we saw real progress after just a few sessions. What we appreciated most was how she empowered us as owners to feel confident and in control, using clear, effective techniques that truly work. Thanks to Carrie, our dog is more focused, better behaved, and happier overall. We’re so grateful for the positive impact she’s had on our lives and are looking forward to our next few weeks of training. Highly recommend Carrie to anyone looking for high-quality, compassionate dog training!
  • Mary N
    May. 8, 2025
    Carrie has been great to work with It took some getting used to her approach but it works!I highly recommend Dog Training Elite West Michigan. Mary Nalbach
  • Elise VanDyken
    May. 6, 2025
    Carrie's expertise was so appreciated We needed to get our black lab that was adopted at age 3 to learn to heel on walks. Fantastic coaching!! Rocky will be great on a leash because of her.
  • Julie Schmuker
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Carrie has been absolutely amazing with my girls. We saw an immediate improvement in their focus and attitude after the first meeting. I never knew my girls were so smart and eager to learn. Thank you Carrie for helping us keep our little stubborn one. What you have taught us and them has truly transformed the way we all interact.
  • Ann-Marie Ellis
    Apr. 17, 2025
    Would HIGHLY recommend Dog Training Elite! We have worked with Carrie and are so impressed with her knowledge, professionalism, and care. She has been invaluable in teaching us how to best train our dog. She makes a point to understand our family and home so she can best help us to train our dog effectively. We have already seen such gains with our dog (that is only 6 months old). We are so grateful for Dog Training Elite.
  • amber deneen
    Apr. 15, 2025
    We have been working with Carrie for a few weeks now and are seeing some very positive results! The e-collar is an excellent tool to communicate with our dog and has helped us with some frustrations. Carrie is very knowledgeable and patient with us. In a positive way, she has brought to our attention things we were doing as owners that weren't so helpful. I have enjoyed the in home training session because I am able to learn the commands first hand. This type of personalized training has helped me gain more confidenc. I am looking forward to group training soon and learning more!
  • jodi morton
    Apr. 9, 2025
    We are so thankful for Carrie and her expertise! We contacted Carrie once we were at our wits end with our 6 month old puppy who had separation anxiety and aggression. She helped us feel more in control and she gave us tools to help our puppy (and us!) feel successful! Carrie is a life saver!

What to Avoid

Dog Training Elite West Michigan

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:

Wiggling your fingers or toes in your puppy’s face can encourage biting behavior, making it harder to teach proper play.
Jerking your hands away can trigger your puppy to lunge and bite harder—stay calm and redirect their focus.

Hitting or slapping a puppy for biting is cruel and counterproductive. It can lead to fear or increased aggression in your dog.

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.

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Contact Us Today and Stop Puppy Biting in Grand Rapids, MI

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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 West Michigan. 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.

Contact Dog Training Elite today for a free in–home consultation or schedule a free training demo to see what your puppy can become.