Puppy Biting Using Your Crate
Struggling with puppy biting? Learn how to use kind, fair, and firm crate training to help your puppy settle and stop unwanted biting—based on real experience and proven methods.
The video below will give you further help on puppy biting, BUT, please note the timings of redirection and the ok use of a crate.
The Two Big Problems with Puppy Biting
Puppy biting is one of the most common concerns I hear, and there are two major reasons why people struggle to stop it:
1. They are accidentally rewarding the biting by trying to redirect too early.
2. They don’t realise the puppy’s crate can be used for calm time—not punishment, but a break to help the puppy settle.
The Problem with Early Redirection
You may have been told to distract your puppy with a toy when he bites. But here’s the issue: if you give the toy while he’s still biting, you’re actually rewarding the biting.
You’ve just taught him: ‘I bite, I get a toy.’
Instead, remove your hand, stand up, break contact. Once puppy has stopped the biting, you can calmly praise and send them off with a toy. If the biting continues or pup comes back immediately and starts biting again, after two warnings, it’s time for a short time-out.
Using the Crate for Calm Time
If your crate is trained properly, it becomes a brilliant training tool. Crates help puppies settle when they’re overtired and give you a calm way to provide consequences for unwanted behaviour—with less nagging and no shouting.
Think of it like sending a child to their room for quiet time.
Need help with crate training? Click here.
How to Use the Crate to Manage Biting
If your pup is getting wild—nipping, chasing, or chewing everything—chances are they are just tired. Don’t wait until they’re manic. Pop them in the crate with a tasty Kong before the behaviour starts. You’re teaching pup to settle, not punishing them.
Use the crate during busy times, like when the kids come home from school. Puppy gets quiet time, kids get to unwind, and everyone’s happier.
Timing Is Everything
Remember the two-second rule. Your puppy links cause and effect in about two seconds.
If you reward or correct outside that window, they won’t understand what it was for.
So if they finish weeing in the garden and you praise them three seconds later—you’ve missed the moment.
Same goes for biting: act quickly and clearly.
Three Strikes and You’re Out
If you’re playing and your puppy nips, give a calm but firm ‘no’ or ‘ah ah’. Stop the play and interaction. If it happens again, repeat. Third time—into the crate.
No drama, no chase. If you can’t catch pup, leave the room. Pup goes in for a few minutes to reset. When they come out, have something ready—like a Kong, licky mat or chew toy—to help them do the right thing.
The Power of Getting This Right
Years ago I visited a family who were at breaking point. The kids were being chased and nipped, the house was in chaos, and they’d already booked a place at a rescue centre.
We used a crate, a Kong, and some clear boundaries. That dog became a well-loved family member. The right actions saved a lot of heartache all round.
Written by Sandra Lawton – The National Dog Training Academy
You can check out our puppy training classes here.
