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A dog undergoing training with the experts at Dog Training Elite - get professional puppy biting training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN and help your dog curb this bad habit.
Dog Training Elite

How to Stop Puppy Biting in South Bend / Elkhart, IN

Request Free Assessment

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 South Bend / Elkhart, IN

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 South Bend / Elkhart, IN.

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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 Michiana owner smiling with his dog in South Bend / Elkhart, IN.

Dog Training Elite Michiana

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 South Bend / Elkhart, IN with Dog Training Elite.

Take it to the Next Level

Dog Training Elite Michiana

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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

  • Julie Lauck
    Sep. 23, 2025
    Awesome training today!
  • Brandon Chaffee
    Nov. 7, 2025
    My dog has been thru the formal dog training which was excellent and is now in service dog training. This training is beyond great, I love them like family, they are the best around
  • Candie Books
    Oct. 22, 2025
    Rich did a wonderful job assessing and listening to my goals for my 2 new pups. I’m excited to learn and train as well as be a part of the elite family
  • Amanda Groeneveld
    Oct. 11, 2025
    Absolute best training! I never thought I could get my min pins aggression towards strangers under control. They fixed that issue plus some. I look forward to the group classes and continued training. 💕
  • Carm Kinslow
    Jun. 26, 2025
    Saran deserved 5 stars! She is an excellent trainer. Sarah is knowledgeable and has developed a great rapport with Rosie. She answers all My questions snd makes very clear, good suggestions as to what I can do to help Rosie be successful. We are very happy with our sessions ends and we are sad to see the one in one sessions coming to an end. We look forward to the group sessions.
  • Daviana ._.
    Sep. 22, 2025
    Loved the information provided. Definitely had me hooked and ready to sign up 🙂
  • Greg Miller
    Sep. 18, 2025
    Chloe did an excellent job work with our dogs, she is kind and friendly and very knowledgeable.We highly recommend this team.
  • Brittney Peffley
    Sep. 15, 2025
    We had and amazing experience with rich. He came in our home and met our dog, he gave us awesome tips and tricks to help Jack and we are going to be signing up for the platinum package with all the amazing skills it will teach not only jack but us.
  • Virginia Warsco
    Dec. 20, 2024
    Demon adores Sarah and responds well to her energy. We love her and how much better our relationship is with our boy since starting training with Dog Training Elite. I adore her and enjoy our training sessions. When I met with Rich I was like many people who didn’t understand the way that each training tool works when used properly and under their guidance I became the owner demon needs to be his best self with the help of Sarah and she has to help me at times adjust myself but it makes me eternally grateful we signed up for platinum because now he has a trainer for life! They continue to support me as I run into things that overstimulate him which always makes me appreciate being a platinum customer.
  • Nicci Hurcomb
    May. 27, 2025
    Rich and Sara are awesome! Really recommend for therapy dog training. Meatball passed his therapy dog testing in about 6 months! Best part was that they come to you for training. Great experience.
  • Geralyn Bracey
    Aug. 12, 2025
    Amazing work even only after 2 sessions. We love Sarah 🫶🏾 Great trainer
  • Kevin Lange
    Aug. 4, 2025
    Both trainers that I have dealt with are extremely good and patient. This program is definitely worth it if you are willing to put the time in as an owner. They gave me the tools and insight to dog behavior I wasnt sure of and the transformation of my dog is amazing. I have a large/stubborn dog that I felt I was losing control of as we had a couple bad encounters with other dogs (my dog being attacked). The trainers helped me regain leadership of my dog and I have never in my life had such a well behaved dog and get compliments everytime I take him on a walk or out in public. If you are willing to put the time and effort in, it is 100% a game changer and works.
  • Kristen Canfield
    Jul. 17, 2025
    Very personable. He made us feel like what we are dealing with is completely doable and not abnormal or unable to be fixed. Our dog warmed up to him and gave us home. Then he demonstrated with his dog what things look like. I really appreciated that. We are new dog owners and the visual was very beneficial!
  • gwen kijak
    Jul. 16, 2025
    I am so pleased with Sarah for her experience and patience with my doggo. She explains all the techniques thoroughly making it easy to continue with his training between sessions.
  • Susan Loth
    May. 13, 2025
    Only had 1 session so far but I can see a difference. Looking forward to more!! People have noticed the difference in her. 2nd session and I can't believe she can do a place!!! Rich and Sarah are wonderful!!!! Can't wait until the next one!! I need more training than the dog does!! She is doing great, but I need to make more time to work with her and to remember to use the correct words with her. She is a different dog. Her bad habits are disappearing!!! Can't wait for the next lesson!!! Lesson #5!!! Sarah can get her to do anything!!! We like Sarah very much!! She does everything in a very calm environment for the dog. Never raises her voice or gets frustrated. We are done with our lessons now and we could not be happier with the whole experience and the outcome. Having a trained dog makes everyday so much more enjoyable!! You might at first think it's a little pricey, but the one on one training and doing it at your house where the dog is most comfortable and you also, is the best experience. I can't say enough good things about our experience. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. Both Rich and Sarah are great!! They don't rush anything, they explain everything as many times as you need it. Today being the last lesson, our dog was giving Sarah kisses. She enjoyed the experience too!!! Thank you Rich and Sarah!!!
  • Christina Boal
    Jul. 16, 2025
    Rich was very kind , and professional he took time to explain stuff to my mom and I and show us his dog tink which I thought was very cool .
  • Hannah Weinreich
    Jul. 10, 2025
    We just had our first session and couldn’t be happier. This is going to mean such a higher quality of life for both us and our puppy!
  • Mark Ellis
    Nov. 20, 2024
    My dog, Madigan, has completed her Basic Obedience, and I am very pleased with the results. Today we finished up some service skills with Richa and Sarah at the Mall. We are also attending group classes. Also, Madigan is being trained as my Service Dog and when finished will bring her in periodically for "refresher" courses. Looking forward to continuing with Dog Training Elite Michiana.
  • Melissa LaPlace
    Jul. 7, 2025
    Sarah is wonderful. She is relatable and oozes her passion for animals. In 6 short visits we accomplished so much with my very active puppy.
  • Tracy Barr
    Jun. 18, 2025
    Great training for me and my Dogs. I'm thrilled and can't wait until the next session.

What to Avoid

Dog Training Elite Michiana

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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Dog Training Elite

Contact Us Today and Stop Puppy Biting in South Bend / Elkhart, IN

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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 Michiana. 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.