my puppy won’t stop biting me and my clothes

Imagine you’re in your New York City apartment, folding laundry while your 8-week-old Shih Tzu mix, Mochi, zooms over—she latches onto your jeans with her tiny teeth, tugging so hard the fabric stretches. You try to gently pull away, but she switches to your hand, nipping just hard enough to leave a pink mark. You sigh, holding up a chewed sock: “Why won’t my puppy stop biting me and my clothes?” For new U.S. dog owners, this feels like living with a tiny, fluffy tornado—but Mochi’s biting isn’t mean. It’s her way of learning, and with simple, kind fixes, you can curb it fast.

First, let’s break down why puppies bite people and clothes: Puppies don’t have hands, so they use their mouths to explore—your jeans smell like you, your hands are warm, and even your socks feel fun to tug. They also teethe between 3–6 months; biting eases the ache of new teeth pushing through. My neighbor in Brooklyn had a 10-week-old Lab puppy, Lola, who chewed through three sweaters—her vet explained it wasn’t aggression; it was Lola’s way of relieving teething pain. The key? Puppies don’t know “no” yet—they need to learn what to bite instead, not just what to stop. Punishment (yelling, tapping her nose) scares Mochi, makes her anxious, and goes against U.S. animal welfare norms—it also won’t teach her better habits.

Here’s how to stop the biting, step by step, even in a small apartment: The second Mochi nips your hand or clothes, freeze and pull away. Don’t talk, don’t laugh—just stand still. Puppies thrive on attention, so ignoring her for 10 seconds tells her “biting = no play.” Then, grab a chew toy (like a rubber Kong stuffed with frozen peanut butter—cold eases teething pain) and hold it out. When she drops your jeans to lick the toy, praise her softly (“Good girl!) and give her a tiny freeze-dried blueberry treat. Positive reinforcement teaches her “toys = good, clothes/hands = no fun.” For apartment living, keep toys in easy spots: by the couch (where you fold laundry), near your bed (for morning nipping), and by the door (before walks). If Mochi’s extra bitey, take her for a 5-minute potty walk in the community park—tired puppies bite less; she’ll burn energy chasing leaves instead of your socks.

Don’t let biting training skip U.S. rules and community manners. Even as you teach Mochi, keep her rabies vaccine on track—New York requires puppies to get their first shot at 12 weeks old, and fines go up to $300 if you skip it. If she nips a neighbor (even gently) during walks, current vaccine records ease worries. When you take her to the park, always carry biodegradable poop bags—NYC fines $250 for leaving waste behind, and it’s respectful to other dog owners. In your apartment building, ask neighbors not to “play rough” with Mochi (like wiggling fingers near her mouth)—it encourages biting. Also, avoid leaving laundry on the floor; Mochi will think it’s a toy, and chewed clothes are harder to fix than prevented.

At its core, stopping your puppy from biting you and your clothes is about patience and redirection. Mochi isn’t trying to annoy you—she’s just a baby learning the world. With consistent toy swaps, treats, and following local laws, she’ll stop seeing you as a chew toy and start seeing you as her favorite person. Soon, she’ll be cuddling on the couch with you—no jeans-tugging required.