One of the first things to practice with any new Puppy - an imprint with touch that represents calmness, gentleness and relaxation. Prevent puppy biting and resolve conflicts with calmness as an outcome.

The Touch Imprint your Puppies first memory and experience of how it feels to receive touch and affection from you, and other members of the family.

By creating a consistent pattern of only giving touch when your puppy is relaxed and comfortable, and by using touch pressure to resolve excitement in your intimate space, you can set your puppy up to succeed from the beginning. Getting this touch imprint correct is a big part of preventing puppy biting and mouthing behaviours, and it acts as the first step in resolving conflicts with your puppy. Create calmness as an outcome through touch from day one.

In most cases where clients are dealing with excessive puppy biting and mouthing, the fundamental issue is an unhealthy touch imprint - which means a puppy that relates to the experience of touch as frustrating, overwhelming, or representing conflict. This happens when people touch their puppies inconsistently when they are excited, or pick their puppies up and move them by the collar when they are getting into problematic situations. Very quickly, puppies learn to associate touch with frustration or conflict, and begin to bite and mouth back. If people respond with either more frustration or giving puppies more space, this behaviour is quickly empowered and reinforced - which is where biting begins to increase.

A healthy touch imprint is essential for resolving puppy biting. If you are struggling with this technique, try using a lead to hold your puppy at arms length until they begin to relax and settle down. The reintroduce touch when they are lying down.

Be sure to also watch our video on using chews and toys to stop teething, mouthing and biting - and to practice sharing and removing objects from your puppy.