How to stop your puppy mouthing or nipping your kids
Calm, practical guidance to manage biting, nipping and chewing in busy family homes.
If your puppy is nipping at your kids and it feels scary or overwhelming, you are not alone.
Mouthing is one of the most common challenges families face in the early months. The good news is it is normal, and it is something you can absolutely improve with the right approach.
Online program | Instant access | AU$197 | 12 months access
How to stop your puppy mouthing or nipping your kids
Calm, practical guidance to manage biting, nipping and chewing in busy family homes.
Online program | Instant access
AU$197 | 12 months access
If your puppy is nipping at your kids and it feels scary or overwhelming, you are not alone.
Mouthing is one of the most common challenges families face in the early months. The good news is it is normal, and it is something you can absolutely improve with the right approach.
First, take a breath
First, take a breath
Puppies are little biting and chewing machines.
They mouth hands, clothes, toys, furniture and anything that moves. Those sharp teeth can feel like shark teeth, especially to young children.
This behaviour is not your puppy being aggressive. It is part of normal development.
When puppies play with other dogs, they learn from each other’s yelps and body language how hard is too hard. Over time they develop bite inhibition and learn to use their mouths more gently.
But they also need us to teach them what is appropriate in a human family.
Why puppies mouth and nip so much
Before you can stop it, you need to understand why it is happening in that moment.
Common reasons include:
Exploring their world with their mouth
Trying to play the only way they know how
Seeking attention from you or your kids
Being overtired and needing more sleep
Teething and looking for relief
Many puppies need 18 to 20 hours of sleep a day. An overtired puppy can become wired and extra nippy, just like an overtired child. Understanding the reason behind the behaviour changes how you respond.
The hardest part is when kids are involved
A mouthy puppy with young children can feel stressful and even frightening.
Kids may:
Run and squeal
Flap their arms
Try to push the puppy away
Get upset or scared
All of this can accidentally make the biting worse. Without a clear plan, everyone ends up frustrated.
That is where most families get stuck.
Raising A Happy And Confident Puppy - For Families With Kids
This step by step online program shows you how to prevent common puppy problems, guide your kids to interact safely, and build calm habits from day one.
You do not need to figure this out alone
Inside Raising A Happy And Confident Puppy For Families With Kids, there is a dedicated section on:
Help With Mouthing, Nipping And Chewing.
You Will Learn:
Why your puppy is biting in different situations
How to reduce mouthing safely and calmly
How to guide your kids to respond in ways that do not escalate it
When to step in and when to redirect
How sleep, routine and structure dramatically reduce nipping
What to do during the teething stage
This is not about yelling, punishing or forcing compliance.
It is about understanding, planning and teaching better alternatives in a positive way.
See how the program works
See how the program works
Designed for busy families
Everything is delivered in short, easy to follow lessons you can work through at your own pace.
No complicated terminology. No harsh training methods. Just practical guidance you can apply straight away.
You get:
Engaging video lessons
Kid-friendly animations
Demonstrations you can copy at home
Downloadable resources
12 months access
The ability to revisit lessons anytime
About Mel
Mel is the founder of Cooper and Kids and the creator of this program. She specialises in helping families raise safe, happy dogs alongside children.
Her work focuses on positive, ethical and force free training that supports both your dog’s wellbeing and your child’s safety. As a Family Paws Educator, Fear Free Certified Professional, IAABC accredited dog trainer and Family Dog Mediator, Mel’s approach is centred around practical guidance that works in real family homes.
The goal is simple. Helping kids and dogs learn to understand each other so everyone can live together safely and happily.
Hear from our clients
Hear from our clients
“Mel’s online puppy program saved us! I knew getting a puppy was going to be a lot of work and I got overwhelmed really quickly with all the things I needed and along came Mel’s online program.
The kids had videos to watch to really help them prepare for a sleepy, playful and very nippy puppy, who needed a balance of attention and space. It meant while I focused on puppy proofing the kids had so much information they could absorb and it gave them a real purpose.
I also had one child who was very nervous around dogs, and this really gave her the opportunity to understand “puppies” and how to integrate this new family member into her own nervous space at a pace that gave her confidence and safety.
If you don’t know where to start, have kids who need guidance or don’t want to jump straight into 1:1 sessions, THIS program is the perfect place to start.
Gracie, Mum of 2
Dalmatian puppy
Gracie, Mum of 2
Dalmatian puppy
The puppy stage sets the foundation
The habits your puppy learns in the first few months shape how they behave around your children for years to come.
When you understand their needs and guide them and your kids calmly and consistently, you create:
A puppy who feels safe and secure
Kids who know how to interact respectfully
A home that feels calmer and more enjoyable
Ready to feel calm about puppy biting?
You cannot stop normal puppy development.
But you can guide it safely.
Get clear, step by step support so your puppy learns how to interact gently and your kids feel confident again.
You cannot stop normal puppy development.
But you can guide it safely.
Get clear, step by step support so your puppy learns how to interact gently and your kids feel confident again.
AU$197 | Instant access | 12 months access | Learn at your own pace