7 Games to Play With Your Puppy That Don't Encourage Biting
Updated: 6 days ago
Playing with your puppy is one of the best parts of having one, and it's one of the best ways to teach them too. But some games, especially ones that involve hands, feet and chasing, can turn a playful puppy into a little Tasmanian devil very quickly. For me, the boundary is simple: you touch my skin, that's it, game over. There are lots of games that are just as much fun, burn off energy and teach your puppy useful skills without encouraging nipping.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The best games to play with a puppy without encouraging biting keep their teeth on toys, not on you. Try find it, toy swap, tug with simple rules, recall ping-pong, hand targeting and hide and seek. Keep games short, stop before your puppy gets overexcited, and avoid games where you use your hands as toys or let your puppy chase your feet. If play gets bitey, pause, swap to a toy, or help them settle for a nap. A lot of biting comes from being overtired.
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IN THIS POST
ā Why some games encourage biting
ā Games to play with your puppy
ā Games to avoid
ā How long should you play with a puppy?
ā FAQs
Why some games encourage biting
Puppies explore with their mouths, and play gets them excited. Games where hands wiggle in their face, feet run away from them, or play gets rough teach your puppy that grabbing people is part of the fun. Long, wild games also tip puppies into overexcitement, which is when biting gets worse.
Games to play with your puppy
1. Find it
Let your puppy watch you drop a treat on the floor and say "find it". Then start tossing treats a little further away, or hide them behind a chair leg. Sniffing is calming and tiring at the same time.
2. Toy swap
Play with one toy, then offer an identical toy or a treat. When your puppy lets go, say "drop", give them the swap, and start the game again. This teaches a happy drop without any battles.
3. Tug with rules
Tug is a great game when it has simple rules. Use a long tug toy so hands stay well away from teeth. Play for a few seconds, ask for a drop with a treat swap, then start again. If teeth touch skin, the game stops for a moment.
4. Recall ping-pong
With two people at opposite ends of a room or garden, take turns calling your puppy and rewarding them when they arrive. It builds a recall your puppy loves.
5. Hand targeting
Hold your hand flat, a little away from your puppy's nose. When they touch it with their nose, mark and reward. It teaches your puppy that hands mean good things for a nose, not teeth.
6. Hide and seek
Once your puppy knows their name, hide behind a door or sofa and call them once. Celebrate when they find you.
7. Pick and drop
Roll a soft toy a short distance. When your puppy picks it up and brings it back, swap it for a treat and roll it again.
Games to avoid
Wrestling or rough play with hands
Letting your puppy chase your feet or trousers
Teasing with toys held close to your body
Long, wild chasing games around the house
Games that go on until your puppy is overexcited
How long should you play with a puppy?
Short and often works best. A few minutes of play at a time, several times a day, is plenty. Stop while your puppy is still enjoying it, and follow active play with something calm, like a chew or a nap.
What if play turns bitey?
Pause the game and go still for a moment
Offer a toy for their teeth
If they're very wound up, help them settle with a chew or in their bed
Check whether they need a nap. Overtired puppies bite more
Before your puppy's vaccinations are complete, all of these games work at home and in your own garden.
RENEE'S TIP
Keep a tug toy or soft toy in your pocket or by the sofa. When your puppy starts to mouth you, you can offer the toy straight away, so their teeth have somewhere better to go.
QUICK CHECK
ā Teeth on toys, not hands
ā Short games, several times a day
ā Stop before your puppy gets overexcited
ā Avoid hand wrestling and feet chasing
ā Follow play with a chew or a nap
FROM RENEE'S BOOKSHELF
The Modern Guide to Puppy Games
More games for gentle mouths and calm play, each one with a step-by-step picture.
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FAQs
What games can I play with my puppy?
Find it, toy swap, tug with rules, recall ping-pong, hand targeting, hide and seek, and pick and drop are all great puppy games.
How do I play with my puppy without encouraging biting?
Keep their teeth on toys, use long tug toys, avoid hand wrestling and feet chasing, and stop before your puppy gets overexcited.
Is tug okay for puppies?
Yes, with simple rules. Use a long toy, play for a few seconds, swap for a treat on "drop", and pause if teeth touch skin.
How long should I play with my puppy?
A few minutes at a time, several times a day. Follow active play with calm time or a nap.
Why does my puppy bite more during play?
Excitement and tiredness make biting worse. Keep games short and make sure your puppy gets plenty of sleep.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
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