A dog that starts nipping, biting and mouthing when its overexcited may not mean any harm, says Ben Randall, but its something which just cant go on. Heres how to handle the issue.
A dog with a sense of fun can be a good thing, but what happens when it goes too far? When you have a dog who goes over the top when he or she gets overstimulated? That’s the problem facing this week’s reader, whose dog’s enthusiasm seems to be prompting some rather worrying behaviour.
Ive covered a similar topic in the past in my Beggarbush (BG) training columns for Country Life, though that case was little different as it was what to do with a puppy who’s biting people — it’s fairly normal for them to go through a nipping stage. By the sounds of it, though, I’m afraid you’ve missed the chance to nip this behaviour in the bud, now that it’s an older dog. But don’t worry: these things can happen, and we can fix it.
My view is 100% that this cannot continue. I know you’ve said that your dog is doing this gently — mouthing if you like — but I always look at it like this: if a young child were to be nipped on the face by your dog behaving like this, it could scar that person for life both physically and mentally. Hence this is behaviour that has to be stopped ASAP.
In most circumstances, dogs that behave this way have become spoilt. I see it a lot with dogs who’ve been taught via bribery: they’re dogs who jump up on people and nip to get attention, rather than sitting patiently and calmly waiting for attention to come to them. It’s a like a child who’s constantly nagging and calling, shouting out for their mum endlessly: “I want! I want! Me me me NOW!” That’s not nice behaviour for anyone to see — but it can be sorted out. Here’s how. ( credit: Getty s)
Does your furry friend turn into a little piranha when they get excited? You’re not alone! Many dog owners struggle with their pups nipping or mouthing when they’re overexcited. This behavior might seem cute when they’re tiny puppies, but it can become painful, embarrassing, and even scary as they grow larger.
I’ve dealt with this issue myself with my springer spaniel and I can tell you there’s hope! In this article I’ll share proven methods to help stop your dog from nipping when excited, based on advice from professional trainers and veterinarians.
Why Do Dogs Nip When Excited?
Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand why your dog is nipping in the first place
- Mouth exploration: Dogs naturally explore their world through their mouths
- Playful behavior: Your dog might want to play by putting something in their mouth
- Learned behavior: They’ve learned that nipping makes you squeal or move faster
- Social play: They play this way with other dogs and think you’d enjoy it too
- Self-soothing: Chomping on something helps them feel calmer when they’re overstimulated
Dogs that nip when excited are often described as “high arousal” dogs. This means they easily become over-excited and might react with barking, spinning, jumping, and nipping.
7 Effective Strategies to Stop Excited Nipping
1. The Redirect Method
One of the most effective strategies is to redirect your dog’s attention and mouth onto something appropriate:
- Toy substitution: Teach your dog to grab a toy when excited
- The “get your toy” command: Train your dog to pick up a specific toy when guests arrive
- Hand targeting: Teach your dog to touch their nose to your hand on cue (more on this below)
My friend taught her dogs to pick up a pillow every time someone enters the house. This gives them something appropriate to hold in their mouth, preventing them from nipping at visitors.
2. The “Yelp and Ignore” Technique
This method mimics how puppies learn bite inhibition from their littermates:
- The instant you feel your dog’s teeth touch you, give a high-pitched yelp
- Immediately walk away from them
- Ignore them completely for 30 to 60 seconds
- If they follow you or continue to nip, leave the room for 30 to 60 seconds
Note: While this works for some dogs, others might actually get more excited by the yelping sound (you become like a fun squeaky toy!). If you notice your dog getting more amped up when you yelp, try the silent treatment instead.
3. The Treat Scatter Method
This emergency technique is perfect for those moments when your dog is already overexcited:
- Take a handful of treats
- Scatter them on the ground around your dog
- While they’re busy sniffing and gathering treats, they’ll naturally calm down
- Once calmer, you can redirect to an appropriate behavior
This works because:
- Sniffing and eating helps dogs calm down
- It gives them an alternative focus for their energy
- It interrupts the excitement cycle
4. The Calm Reinforcement Approach
Instead of reacting to nipping, proactively reward calm behavior:
- When your dog is calm, provide treats and praise
- Start training in low-excitement situations and gradually work up to more stimulating environments
- Practice asking for calm behaviors (like sitting) before exciting activities
This method teaches your dog that calm behavior gets rewarded, while nipping results in no attention.
5. Exercise and Mental Stimulation
A tired dog is less likely to get overexcited and nippy:
- Ensure your dog gets enough physical exercise daily
- Provide mental stimulation through puzzle toys, training sessions, and sniffing games
- Structure your day to include enough activity for your dog’s breed and energy level
Many behavior problems, including nipping, improve dramatically when a dog’s exercise needs are properly met.
6. Manage the Environment
Sometimes preventing the problem is easier than fixing it in the moment:
- Use baby gates or crates when visitors first arrive
- Keep your dog on a leash during exciting situations until they learn control
- Identify triggers that cause overexcitement and work on gradual exposure
For example, if your dog gets nippy when guests arrive, keep them behind a gate until everyone is settled and calm before allowing interaction.
7. Professional Training Support
If you’ve tried these methods without success, don’t hesitate to seek professional help:
- Work with a certified dog behavior consultant or force-free trainer
- Consider structured training classes to improve overall impulse control
- Be consistent with the professional’s recommendations
What NOT to Do When Your Dog Nips
It’s just as important to know what not to do when addressing nipping behavior:
❌ Don’t physically punish your dog – Holding their muzzle closed, alpha rolling, or hitting will damage your relationship and potentially make the behavior worse
❌ Don’t spray with water or throw things – These scare tactics might stop the behavior momentarily but create fear and anxiety long-term
❌ Don’t encourage rough play – Avoid wrestling games or play that gets your dog overly excited until they learn better control
Special Case: Teaching the Hand Target Method
The hand target method deserves special mention because it’s particularly effective for excited dogs:
- Hold your flat palm near your dog’s nose
- When they touch it with their nose, say “yes!” and reward
- Practice until reliable, then add a cue word like “touch”
- Use this command when your dog gets excited to redirect their attention
This works well because:
- It’s easier for an excited dog to perform than sitting
- It directs their mouth to a specific location (your palm)
- It can help you move an excited dog away from stimuli
- It gives them something to do instead of nipping
Creating a Calmer Dog Overall
Beyond specific anti-nipping techniques, focus on creating a calmer dog in general:
- Practice patience training: Teach your dog to wait calmly for meals, before going outside, etc.
- Establish clear house rules: Be consistent about what behaviors are acceptable
- Work on impulse control: Games like “leave it” build self-control
- Consider your reaction: Stay calm yourself when your dog gets excited
Real Success Story
Ben Randall, an award-winning dog trainer, shares a story about a client with an 18-month-old springer spaniel who nipped when excited, especially when seeing people he hadn’t seen for a while.
Ben’s approach focused on reestablishing the relationship between dog and owner by:
- Re-teaching basic commands like sit, stay, and leave
- Using mealtimes as training opportunities for calm, patient behavior
- Practicing the “leave” command followed by the “in” command (sending the dog to a designated spot)
- Simulating exciting situations repeatedly to practice calmer responses
Within a week, the dog showed dramatically improved behavior. Ben emphasizes that confident, consistent training produces rapid results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will my dog eventually outgrow nipping?
Some puppies do outgrow nipping as they mature, but many don’t without proper training. Don’t assume your dog will simply stop this behavior on their own.
Q: My dog only nips certain people. Why is that?
Dogs often test boundaries with people they perceive as more permissive or excitable. They may also nip people who react in ways that inadvertently reward the behavior.
Q: How long will it take to stop my dog’s nipping behavior?
This depends on your consistency, your dog’s personality, and how long the behavior has been practiced. Some dogs improve within days, while others may take weeks or months of consistent training.
Q: Can older dogs be trained to stop nipping?
Absolutely! While puppies may learn faster, adult dogs can definitely learn new behaviors with patient, consistent training.
Conclusion
Stopping your dog from nipping when excited requires patience, consistency, and understanding. By redirecting their energy, teaching alternative behaviors, and reinforcing calmness, you can help your pup learn more appropriate ways to express their excitement.
Remember that training takes time, and some setbacks are normal. The key is to stay consistent with your approach and celebrate small improvements along the way.
Have you dealt with a nippy dog? What techniques worked best for you? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Master the leave command
Once you’ve established the routine at mealtimes you’ll already have a dog that’s much calmer and more relaxed, and you’ll be able to practice this at other times of the day too, perhaps asking him to calmly leave a toy, or something else he loves to play with. The leave command is the biggest weapon in your arsenal.
So with a dog who is generally calm and relaxed, what do you do if he still gets overexcited and continues to jump up or nip? It’s time to step in with a firm, verbal ‘leave’ command. I’d then point to an area and ask the dog to go ‘in’ — it could be any another space, whether that’s his crate, bed or another room. Then, once the dog is in a calm state in the new area, I’ll walk past and praise or kibble reward the dog for the behaviour.
How to stop a dog who nips or bites when they get excited
When I have a dog acting in this way, I need to reset this dog’s mind in terms of how it sees me as the handler, and how it sees itself in that partnership.