Lively 9 month pup still mouthing when excited - advice, reassurance please!

[IsletsOfLangerhans]

Isletspup is a gorgeous, lovely natured pointer - full of energy and love. However, we are still getting episodes of play biting. Our trainer tells us we need to be more exciting to get her attention on us (getting her to focus on us has been a lot of hard work, but it is improving). The only downside is that when we are being more exciting, she starts the jumping and mouthing, biting at our arms, bums and coats. We turn our backs and stand still, until she she calms down, which to be fair, is within seconds. But it bloody hurts!!!!

I guess I’m either looking for some advice or just plain reassurance that things will improve soon. She is so much better in the house now, barely mouths. It’s just whilst training and doing the whole ‘look at me I’m more interesting than that bird/dog/person etc’.

[billybagpuss]

Is it for recall or for loose lead walking that you are making yourself exciting?

I'm doing a 4 week course at the moment and one of the things we have talked alot about is calming the dog. We spent a long time doing focus games but not boisterous ones, then we were talking about getting the focus and calm before letting off the lead.

Have you tried using the clicker as well to mark when she is giving positive focus?

Another game we were playing at another course I did was 'Ready, steady go!' so by saying 'Ready' you say it in a very exciting way but then throw the treat outwards so the dog isn't mobbing you.

I'm not sure I'm being much help here but hopefully will bump your post so you get a variety of replies.

[adaline]

Mine was extremely mouthy up until about a year - he didn't bite us but he loved to grab clothing and even now he puts his mouth on he to encourage play.

But he's a beagle and they're known for being an incredibly mouthy breed - some breeds are worse for it than others.

I detach him then turn around and ignore - he rarely ever does it now unless he needs a walk or a wee!

What breed of dog is it?

[IsletsOfLangerhans]

Thank you for the replies - both very helpful. Adaline - she is a pointer and from what I’ve heard, they do tend to be mouthy.

Billiybagpuss- it’s both loose lead and recall training when it’s happening. With recall, it’s only if she gets herself overexcited when off lead (basically doing zoomies). It’s more problematic when doing loose lead training.

The ready steady go game sounds worth a bash. I shouldn’t be too upset, as I can see a massive improvement in her over the last few months, but yesterday she bit my bum which really upset me

[adaline]

Mine got a lot better when he hit a year, it was a real turning point for us. I think gun dogs can be quite mouthy as a general rule although I could be wrong.

I know labs, retrievers and beagles have a tendency to be mouthy - mine certainly is! He's never bitten hard or enough to bruise or draw blood but he is very mouthy. If he's showing a need to chew I give him a pizzle or a stuffed kong to occupy himself with.

[Sooverthemill]

My nearly year old puppy is very mouthy and 2 weeks ago drew blood when he 'held' a visitors arm. So I've really concentrated since on making sure I always have something to put in his mouth ( our old dog was always given a 'hold it' when people came) when he starts getting excited. I have a variety of things in a basket in top of his crate: tennis ball, soft toys, nylabones etc. Anything I can quickly give him. That way his mouth is full. I'm doing this throughout the day. I've also realised that I've reduced the amount of indoor training tnings I do with him so amtrying to incorporate this into the day as well to give him stimulation throughout ( just stuff like 'Leave it' 'shuffle' 'touch' ) so he's paying more attention to me an also getting tired out! I adore him but cannot have a bitey dog