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Puppy Biting
Puppy biting is as normal and natural as the teeth in your smile. Puppies bite for play, to taste, to explore, to pull, to chew - if we could read inside your puppy's mind the list could go on forever. Dogs and puppies like to mouth what we would normally touch. If you can think about reasons why you touch and handle things - you can think about why puppies bite. However, puppy biting is a form of communication in the canine world. If puppies are going to interact with humans, then they have to learn how to communicate with humans and follow the rules that exist outside of the canine world. Mama Dog will teach puppy the rules of the canine world (where biting isn't always allowed either) - and you must teach your puppy how to follow the rules of your world.
Puppyhood is the perfect time to train. Right from birth, your actions should establish you as the "alpha" leader. Remember, just because someone is a leader doesn't mean they have to be mean. It doesn't mean you're a control freak. It doesn't mean you are a mean tyrant. You are essentially replacing your puppy's mother and you need to teach your puppy right from wrong.
If you want to establish a loving relationship between you and your puppy, and how to stop puppy biting, you need to establish yourself early on as the "loving leader" that any puppy would be proud to own. Training a puppy to stop biting - just as you train a toddler not to bite - is one of the first loving lessons you can give your puppy to help it grow into the family member you envision.
Your puppy probably got its first taste of the command "no bite" or "no nip" from a sibling. Puppies in a group are notorious for tumbling around, pulling at ears, nipping and biting. The scenario is typically a sibling puppy giving a sharp yelp if it was hurt, and the instigating puppy backing away. Humans can use the same technique to stop puppy biting. If you see your puppy nipping at something it's not supposed to, ESPECIALLY a human, then give a sharp "no bite" or "no nip" command. If the dog doesn't resume its activities without stopping the teething action, move the dog on to another activity.
Most puppies going through their investigative years will become quickly accustomed to this command, and will learn what their mouth can go on, and what it can't go on. Some puppies are inherently more prone to nip and mouth, such as herd dogs or hunting dogs, and continuous no-biting reinforcement is mandatory because you are essentially asking the dog to go against their genetic tendencies. The more often you correct the puppy on his biting actions, the faster the puppy will be trained to stop biting.
Puppy biting can be worse with puppies who have an aggressive disposition, and those who might suffer from separation anxiety. If you notice your puppy has the disposition to be the "alpha" dog, make sure it knows that YOU are the alpha dog - and be vigilant with your no bite, no mouth and no chew commands. Exercise and activity also reduces aggression and separation anxiety in puppies that can cause puppies to bite. Reminding aggressive puppies to "no bite" will be like chasing after an active toddler - but if you train him right in the beginning, you'll have fewer problems with the dog as an adult.
Chewing toys can complement your puppy biting obedience training. If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, give your puppy a good chew toy or two when you leave. When you come back, take it away. Make sure that it's a "treat" the puppy receives when you leave. Chew toys can also help relieve a bit of aggression in naturally aggressive dogs - but do not play tug-o-war. Playing catch or fetch with your puppy is a much better alternative that involves healthy mouthing and not a quest for dominance using the strength of a jaw.
Puppy biting is perfectly natural. If you are fortunate to have the opportunity to train your dog starting in its puppy years, you are practically guaranteed to stop unwanted biting if you are consistent with your "no bite" or "no nip" commands with your puppy. Just give the puppy "yip" and you'll stop the "nip!"
Russ 
