BITING AND MOUTHING

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Biting and mouthing can lead to some serious consequences. 

What are some ways to stop this?

What works? What does not?

[Sue]

Hi Veronica,

I would love to know if things are better as I am reading your paragraph from 2013....I realize that you are describing exactly my life today with my new puppy.....Just looking to see if you had any tips 2 yrs later...thanks

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

It does get better, Sue. It's a stage most of our pups go through. Be firm but patient with him. Believe it or not, but you will miss this baby stage.

Read through some of the comments here for advice. Yelping, "ouch" really loud when he does this, Bitter Apple spray, water spray bottle squirt and lots of exercise are some things you might try.

Good luck and love your pup. It will get better with age, love and patience.

[Richard Crowe]

Holly has always been receptive to a loud "No Bite". In fact, we have been very lucky that she has been receptive to most commands.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Our ALD puppy has stopped mouthing us and nipping. Today, one of his teeth (side bottom) fell out and yesterday my husband saw some blood on the newspaper when the puppy brought it in. We checked his mouth and he has his permanent teeth in the front (top and bottom) and the two bottom side teeth have recently fallen out. The canine teeth still need to be replaced by permanent teeth (or grow some more). But, the mouthing has stopped. He seldom nips any more. The strategy we used was to gently put your thumb in his mouth and squeeze on the bottom jaw. If he struggles, squeeze a little harder and he caught on quick that he did not want our hands in his mouth. Worked for us.

[Dudes mom Kelly]

Super loud startling OUCH!!! works for us....it startles him enough he usually backs off your hand and studies the situation for a minute.  Key is having everyone on the same page too :)

[Lynne of Fountain Falls]

As a breeder I've done tons of research on developmental stages of puppies.  Weeks 5-7 are so critical for  a puppy to learn bite inhibitions and other social manners from their litter mates and mom(their canine one).  I watch the puppies play and play fight and it is so obvious that they are learning what is too rough.  The vocalizations quickly increase from the victim  if his sibling is biting to hard.  If the biter doesn't let up some of the other puppies will pile on.  I provide lots of different textures for them to chew on.  Love the frozen wash rag idea.  Can't wait to try that one. I don't tease or allow others to tease or play using fingers.  Toys, knotted socks, balls, rags, and hard rubber, and sticks are great chew toys.  I feel strongly that it is a breeders responsibility to educate new puppy families.  I have a lot of conversations with my families about their experience, and training philosophies and watch them interact with the puppies during visits. It is easy to tell who needs the most advice and I encourage questions and recommend books. It would be interesting to have a survey about how old the pup was when removed from its litter, how it was raised etc.This little baby is showing off his new teeth.

As a side note: If I do get "grabbed" by a dogs mouth, even if they don't mean to hurt, I push my hand toward their jaw hinge which pops their mouth open.  It doesnt hurt but it is a little uncomfortable and keeps you from hurting your hand when you drag it out of their mouth.  They don't usually try this with me more than twice.  I always try to get on their level and pet them but let them know that hand grabbing isnt ok.

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

I have a friend that worked with dogs and not all of them friendly.  He said when the bit (not mouth) they would push their hand toward the back of their teeth.  If you pull (which I always did) it ripped the skin.  I tried a version of this with the Kate's mouthing.  She gets jealous when other dogs come around and mouths my arm.  I trying pushing back instead of pulling out and saying no.  She seemed better today.  She didn't get hurt because it was my arm and I didn't press hard.  Time will tell if  helps.