Nipping and biting can be aggressive or non-aggressive, and it can be hard to tell the difference. However, dogs who nip and bite are usually just playing. But because they are playing in a way that hurts, it's likely that these dogs haven't yet learned
What is the difference between a nip and a bite?
In some cases, a party or witness may use the word "nip" to describe a bite. "Nip" is a pejorative word used to minimize the nature and extent of a bite, but which nevertheless means "bite." Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 838 (11th ed.
What does it mean when a dog is nipping?
Nipping is an annoying and potentially dangerous habit in dogs. While most dogs nip as part of play, some do it to send a loud message. ... If your dog is a puppy, it's likely he's nipping because he wants to engage you in a game (puppies nip each other for fun), or because he's teething.
