When Do Puppies Stop Biting? Teething Phase
It is the #1 complaint of new owners: "My puppy is aggressive!" Rest assured, your 10-week-old Golden Retriever is not aggressive. They are Teething.
The Timeline of Pain
8-12 Weeks: Needle Teeth
Puppies have 28 deciduous (milk) teeth. They are razor-sharp.
- Behavior: They explore the world with their mouth. Since they don't have hands, they "grab" your arm to play.
- The Reaction: If you pull away and scream, they think it's a game.
12-16 Weeks: The Fallout
The baby teeth start falling out. You might find rice-sized teeth in the carpet.
- Pain Level: High. Their gums are sore. They need to chew to relieve pressure.
6 Months: The Adult Set
By 6 months, all 42 adult teeth should be in. The biting should stop—IF you trained them.
How to Stop Biting (Bite Inhibition)
You cannot stop a puppy from biting, but you can teach them Soft Mouth.
The "Ouch" Method
- Play with the puppy.
- When teeth touch skin (even lightly), say "OUCH!" sharply and go limp.
- Stop moving. Be boring.
- Resume play.
- Lesson: Skin is fragile. Teeth end the game.
Redirect
Always have a toy in hand. Shove a rope toy in their mouth before they grab your ankle.