5 Puppy-Proof Games That Don't Encourage Biting

Puppies have bags of energy, and playtime is one of the best ways to connect and teach. Certain games, though, can encourage habits we would rather avoid, like nipping and biting. That does not mean you need to keep toys away or stop the fun. It just means making good choices about the kinds of play you allow.

With puppy dog training, what you do during games really adds up. Simple shifts make a big difference, helping pups build good habits right from the start. Below are five puppy-safe games that keep biting out of play and make learning part of everyday fun.

Pick-and-Drop Game

This one is all about teaching puppies to hold on gently and let go easily. Start with a soft toy, tossing it just a short distance. When your puppy brings it back, offer a treat or praise for nice work, then use the “drop” cue to have them let go. This keeps things calm and friendly, without a tug-of-war.

There is no need for power struggles or snatching toys away. When a puppy gets too worked up or starts to clamp down hard, just pause and let the excitement settle. Biting often starts when a game gets too wild or fast, so this whole game is about slowing things down and making it about trust and taking turns.

Puppy classes at Paws Academy Dog Training help you practise skills like gentle drop cues in a social setting so pups can build a calm response in real-world moments.

Follow the Treat

For young pups who nip out of boredom, this game gets them focused and moving in a helpful way. Hold a treat between your fingers and lead your puppy in gentle zigzags or circles on the ground. Slow movements are best for pups that tend to get too mouthy.

If you see them going for your hand instead of following the treat with their nose, simply hold your hand a bit higher or pause until they settle. This is not about pulling away or saying “no”; it’s about teaching them to follow calmly. You are giving your puppy a job and showing that patience is rewarded.

Each time they follow the treat, you are building a habit of focusing on tasks instead of putting their mouth everywhere. It becomes a little routine you can use when energy spikes up during the day.

Find-It Game

Puppies love challenges, and “find it” games are a great break from roughhousing. Scatter treats in a room or garden, ask your pup to “find it,” and watch them sniff, search and problem-solve.

Once your puppy gets the hang of it, you can hide treats under empty boxes, behind cushions or in soft towels. The real benefit is that all this activity channels natural searching instincts away from biting. Their nose is busy, their brain is working and their teeth are not needed.

- Keeps their mind busy in a safe way

- Adds a calm challenge to daily puppy dog training

- Breaks up play with sit, wait or name cues as short lessons

All these steps mean puppies have less chance to get bored and start nipping.

Gentle Toy Chase

Most puppies love a fast chase, but games where you throw toys high can make grabbing and biting too easy. Instead, keep the chase slow and on the floor. Take a ball or a favourite stuffed toy and roll or slide it gently on the ground. Encourage your puppy to follow, then ask them to “wait” before they grab.

Add in little cues to teach self-control as they play, like stopping the toy and waiting for your signal to get it. If the puppy grabs too rough or starts biting the toy hard, pause the game and reset. Gentle toy chase is about movement, stopping and starting, while helping nip and bite habits fade into the background.

Group classes at Paws Academy Dog Training let puppies try games like this around other pups, so they learn how to share space and focus even when play gets exciting.

Box Exploration

Give your puppy a new challenge that does not rely on biting. Grab a sturdy cardboard box, fill it with scrunched up paper or safe soft objects, and tuck in a few treats or safe toys. Set it down and let your pup sniff, dig or root around.

Box games keep their mouth and paws busy in a harmless way. Puppies get a taste of new textures and smells. They can explore at their own speed, and it works well any day, perfect for stickier or cooler weather in October when puppies need something to do indoors.

Make sure nothing in the box can be eaten or torn into little bits. When chewing turns from investigating to destruction, just step in and switch things up.

Keep Games Safe and Biting Low

The little choices you make in play can set the tone for your puppy’s whole outlook. Games with a lot of hand use or fast moving toys can teach grabbing and nipping without you realising it. The gentler the play, the less likely it is that biting will become a habit.

- Safe games build attention, calm and self-control in puppies

- Calm play gives lots of chances to practise new cues

- Slow and steady games are better for teaching than wild bursts of chasing

Puppy dog training works best when lessons are built into playtime, rather than set aside as a boring afterthought. It is not about winning every game, but about creating the kind of play that works long-term. Start early and make play a place where good habits, and calm mouths, grow every day.

Play-based games like these are great for building better habits without stress, especially during those early stages of learning. They help puppies practise patience, work on focus and bite control, and grow into calmer, more curious learners. For extra support, our puppy dog training sessions are designed to bring out the best in your young dog, one step at a time. At Paws Academy Dog Training, we’re here to guide learning through fun, simple routines. Send us a message to chat about what could work best for your puppy.