My puppy bites me during walks... how do I stop it?

My puppy Kahlua, a 9-week-old mixed breed, bites my legs, shoes, and pants when we go on walks to the point where I get small cuts. I’ve tried using toys to redirect her, but she doesn’t care about them. It’s like she thinks it’s a game. Any advice on how to stop this? It’s super frustrating!

Sounds like she’s in that puppy phase where they don’t have control over their biting yet. Try using the time-out method like you would at home, but do it outside. When she starts biting, stop and walk her to a quiet spot for a timeout.

@Brigitta
Yeah, I’ve heard of that time-out trick. You don’t lock them in a crate or anything, right? Just kind of isolate them for a minute?

Smart said:
@Brigitta
Yeah, I’ve heard of that time-out trick. You don’t lock them in a crate or anything, right? Just kind of isolate them for a minute?

Exactly! You don’t want to use the crate. Just a small, calm area like a pen or another room where she can’t interact with you for a bit. A minute is enough to get the point across.

You could also try some bitter apple spray on your clothes or hands. I know it sounds weird, but it’s safe and can make biting less fun for them. Worth a shot!

wonderg said:
You could also try some bitter apple spray on your clothes or hands. I know it sounds weird, but it’s safe and can make biting less fun for them. Worth a shot!

Ooh, I’ve used that before! It really works! My dog hated the taste, and it definitely helped with the biting.

Potty training might help too. Keep her on a leash and make sure she knows she’s out just to potty. Bring a treat to keep her focused while you walk her to the spot. Might help reduce some of the hyperactivity during walks.

@Arthur
I like that idea! Do you use a specific potty command or just the leash trick?

Smart said:
@Arthur
I like that idea! Do you use a specific potty command or just the leash trick?

I use a command like ‘go potty’ and repeat it while she’s doing her business. It keeps her focused and helps her understand that’s the main goal during those walks.

Totally normal for a pup that age! They’re learning impulse control. Try giving her a treat during walks, like pieces of chicken, to keep her calm and distracted from biting.

guardlover said:
Totally normal for a pup that age! They’re learning impulse control. Try giving her a treat during walks, like pieces of chicken, to keep her calm and distracted from biting.

Yes! Giving her something like chicken or hot dog pieces can help a lot. I’ve used that method to distract my puppy during walks, and it’s worked wonders!

Another thing that worked for me was using mind-stimulating toys before walks. That way they’re a bit more tired and focused when it’s time to go out. Maybe try a treat-dispensing ball?

Mia said:
Another thing that worked for me was using mind-stimulating toys before walks. That way they’re a bit more tired and focused when it’s time to go out. Maybe try a treat-dispensing ball?

I tried those and it definitely helped! Keeps them occupied and burns off some of that puppy energy.