When do Golden Retrievers Stop Biting?

When do Golden Retrievers stop biting? Golden Retrievers have a reputation as one of the gentlest dog breeds. But when I got my puppy home, it seemed like all he wanted to do was bite and gnaw. Om nom nom! After prying him off the chair leg, I sat down and did some research to see when it would all stop.

So, when do Golden Retrievers stop biting? Golden Retrievers generally stop biting at 7 months. Most Golden Retrievers stop teething at 7 months, and no longer need to soothe their sore gums by chewing.

BUT…even after teething stops, your Golden Retriever might keep on nipping and biting. The truth is that puppies will often keep biting until you teach them to restrain themselves. But with a few tips, you can train your puppy to stop biting, even before they reach 7 months.

Why do Golden Retrievers Bite?

Before trying to stop your Golden Retriever from biting, you need to know why they want to bite in the first place. Dogs bite for many reasons, and understanding those reasons is the key to fixing the behavior.

So, why is your Golden puppy biting?

If your puppy is between 16 weeks and 7 months, it is likely that they’re teething.

At this age your little buddy is growing a new set of teeth and pushing out the old ones. Biting and gnawing are natural instincts that can provide comfort and soothe pain.

Teething is the most common reason for biting in Golden Retriever puppies. Unfortunately, that can mean finding tooth marks everywhere! During this time, anything hard can become their new favorite chew toy. 

That means that your fancy pens or headphones are fair game for your new friend’s jaws.

Giving your pal a dog-safe chew toy designed for teething pups is a great way to redirect this instinct to chew. But don’t worry, because this destructive behavior will usually resolve itself with time.

Like human babies, Golden Retriever puppies use their mouths to please their curiosity. Your puppy may also be biting and nipping to investigate the new world around them, and get to know their home.

After all, dogs only have their mouths to explore their environment.

They might also be trying to stave off boredom by getting rid of extra energy. At this age, angry shouting can sound like excited barking to a bored puppy. Until they understand the rules of the house, they may enjoy your reactions to their chewing.

Try not giving a dramatic response, even when you find your pup chewing on your favorite pair of shoes. It may be challenging to stay calm, but a firm “no” will always be more effective than a shout.

As social animals, Golden Retrievers love spending time with their people. Sometimes they can even use biting to get attention from their humans. 

It’s fair to say that nobody likes having sharp little teeth sticking into their hands. But this behavior can be a sign that your puppy wants more attention from you.

How to Stop Your Golden Retriever from Biting

So, your new friend is biting everything and you are at the end of your wits.

Don’t worry!

There are ways to stop your Golden Retriever from biting, even as a young puppy.

The first step is to try teaching bite inhibition.

In the litter, puppies will play together roughly and sometimes bite too hard. When this happens, the other puppy will yelp and stop playing. But a puppy raised by humans can miss out on this important lesson.

As you play with your Golden Retriever puppy:

• Let out a high-pitched yelp or say a firm “no” when they bite too hard.
• Immediately stop engaging in play.
• Resume play after waiting for your puppy to calm down.
• Repeat the steps as necessary.

Try to teach your puppy that play stops as soon as they bite too hard. It won’t happen overnight. But if you are patient, your pup will soon learn to be gentler. 

For nippy dogs, redirection is also very important. 

Try to always have appealing puppy-safe toys to give your dog. If your pup is teething, they will need to chew or mouth on something – like a baby!

• Look for plastic toys marked as safe for teething puppies.
• If your dog doesn’t show much interest, try smearing it with a little bit of wet food.
• Be persistent, and don’t let your dog chew on your belongings.

It is easy to get discouraged, but don’t give up! Every dog owner goes through this, and your puppy will learn to control their biting.

The next step to try is avoidance. 

If your dog is gnawing on the furniture, you might want to try a bitter apple spray. Many owners swear by this foul-tasting product. Some even use it on their hands and wrists during playtime.

• Note the places that your dog is biting.
• Spray their favorite chewing spots with the bitter apple spray.
• Check your puppy’s reaction and respray if necessary.

While these sprays work wonders for some owners, other dogs seem happy to ignore the taste.

If your dog is still biting, they might have too much energy. A bored dog will make their own fun, and this fun is often a lot more destructive than an owner might like!

Bored dogs may need more exercise, or something to keep them engaged.

• Take your dog on walks to new places every week.
• Try a puzzle game where you can hide treats in different compartments. 
• Give your dog a frozen toy filled with their favorite food.
• Practice obedience skills together or attend an agility class.

None of these methods will stop biting overnight. But if you keep at it, biting will soon be a thing of the past. 

Why Should I Stop My Golden Retriever Puppy From Biting?

While a puppy bite might be sharp, they are not that worrying. But without proper training, these gentle nips can become a much bigger problem when the dog grows up.

When your Golden Retriever gets bigger they will be able to cause serious harm.

While most Golden Retrievers are friendly, they can still be aggressive if untrained. If you don’t teach your dog restraint, they could develop behavioral problems later in life.

A dog that has no bite inhibition training can develop dominance problems. They also often struggle to communicate their emotions. These dogs use their bites to show stress or anger, and can hurt the humans around them. The more a dog bites, the more likely they are to bite again.

Golden Retrievers are one of the least likely dog breeds to bite, but every dog is different. Training your Golden Retriever not to bite will give you peace of mind, and help them be their best self.

It is possible to correct this behavior in later life, but it is best taught at a young age.

With a bit of practice, you and your dog will have a stronger bond – and no more tooth marks on your belongings!

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