My puppy won't stop biting me or my clothes

First: mouthing is information, not a character flaw

Puppies explore with their mouths. Play biting is common developmental behaviour, and teething can make chewing especially appealing. That does not mean you must simply endure sore hands—but it does mean punishment is a poor starting point.

Look for the pattern before the teeth arrive. Many puppy biting episodes cluster around excitement, frustration, an unmet need or simple exhaustion. The fastest useful question is often not “How do I stop this forever?” but “What changed in the minute before it began?”

A kinder three-step response

Keep your hands and clothing as still as you safely can, then redirect the puppy onto a suitable toy. Make the toy more interesting than your sleeve by moving it away from the puppy rather than waving it at their face.

If the puppy immediately returns to skin or clothes, calmly end access for a very short moment. Step behind a gate or out of reach without scolding. Then check the basics: toilet, water, food schedule, safe chewing, activity and sleep.

• Notice the trigger and time of day.
• Redirect to a safe toy before arousal climbs.
• Use a brief, calm reset—not shouting, holding the muzzle or physical correction.
• Reward four paws on the floor, quiet chewing and other choices you want repeated.

Make tomorrow easier tonight

Write down three biting episodes for two days: time, what happened immediately before, and whether the puppy had recently slept. A pattern often appears quickly. Short, positive training and regular rest are usually more useful than adding ever more stimulation.