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The doghouse

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Original poster

When does the mouthing end!

22 replies

Kit2015 · 07/12/2017 07:28

Hi. Just wondering when the mouthing stage of puppyhood should finish. I thought we had turned a corner with it but the last couple of weeks he's been worse. He'll be one at the end of the month

OP posts:

BiteyShark · 07/12/2017 07:56

Mine stopped mouthing many months ago and he is 14 months old. I can’t remember exactly when but it’s such a long time ago that I can’t remember iykwim. Is he mounthing you, objects etc? Do you redirect so he knows not to do it? When mine used to be particularly bad I used to remove either me or him from the situation so a short time out and he learned to stop pretty quickly.

Original poster

Kit2015 · 07/12/2017 08:02

He doesn't do it much with me but does with my mum. We redirect or remove him from the situation.

He's a large dog so we've always been pretty firm with him as his puppy behaviour is magnified because of his size.

Other than this issue and not leaving something (like a ball, slippers) he's pretty good.

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Catsrus · 07/12/2017 15:56

Depends a bit on the breed as well, I've got a retriever who will be mouthy for ever, my terrier never puts people in his mouth

Wolfiefan · 07/12/2017 15:58

It isn't teething so what is it? Attention seeking or play with me?

Original poster

Kit2015 · 07/12/2017 17:03

He's a Labrador crossed with German Shepard. I think it's play with me. Just not too sure how to stop him doing it with people?

Currently we are saying 'No' firmly then giving him his toy. If it continues we stop playing till he's calmed down.

Sound right?

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Coloursthatweremyjoy · 07/12/2017 17:10

Gosh, I've just checked that you don't have my dog! No, still snoring on his bed.

My lab was not really mouthy to be honest but when he did do it. I would pull my hand away and help dramatically and stop play or fuss. This seemed to mortify him and he would snuggle back much more softly for which he would get more fuss. If it was things I would just redirect with a toy.

The command "leave It!" Is your friend here.

Mine is now 6 and I can't remember when he last did it. Must have worked I suppose!

Coloursthatweremyjoy · 07/12/2017 17:11

Sorry "yelp" dramatically.

Original poster

Kit2015 · 07/12/2017 17:19

Thanks I think we will try the yelping. 😊

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hockityponktas · 07/12/2017 17:27

We tried yelping, as advised by many people and we found it excited our working cocker even more!
Ignoring (standing up turning our back to him every time) or removing worked better for us. I guess it depends on the reason for mouthing and the dogs personality.

Oops4 · 07/12/2017 17:32

I have a very short sharp "ah ah" when they do something unwanted. I've kept it consistent and they now recognise that as "don't even think about it". Use it for mouthing, if they approach plates of food, chewing kids toy etc. Mouthing only lasted a few weeks here but we didn't permit it at all. As soon as mouth was open near skin it was "ah" and away. But then as a pp said, we have terriers so not sure if that is partly why.

usainbolt · 07/12/2017 17:45

I wouldn't do the yelping unless you want a highly excitable mouthing dog instead of just a mouthing dog.

Prevention and control is usually the best option as he will grow out of it. Give the toy before he meets your mother. if he drops the toy just give it back to him. Any play with him should be with the toy to prevent mouthing taking place.

Concentrate on the behaviour you want rather than the behaviour you wish to stop,

Wolfiefan · 07/12/2017 17:49

Don't yelp! It will scare or encourage your dog.
Mine will mouth me when playing. I tell her to get a ball. She does and we play. Or turn away arms crossed. Or offer something to chew instead of you.

Original poster

Kit2015 · 07/12/2017 18:37

Okay perhaps won't try the yelping. Stick with toy distraction.
Thanks all.

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Catsrus · 08/12/2017 12:01

The yelp in pain thing only works with some dogs - the more sensitive souls who are mortified if they hurt you. My current almost 6 month old Golden retriever is one of these. She would react instantly at any suggestion of pain from a person or our other dog. She will, very gently, hold my hand in her mouth though. She's from working lines so being gentle mouthed is a trait that is bred for. I've had other hooligan retrievers that I wouldn't trust not to get over excited and take a finger off . Not every solution works with every dog, you have to work with the one you've got and find what works best.

BlackEyedKid · 08/12/2017 12:05

Yelping doesn’t tend to work with terrierists. You essentially turn yourself into a squeaky toy. Dogs bred to bite and kill squeaky things (rats etc) are hardly likely to desist biting something because it squeaks.

ruthsmumkath · 09/12/2017 12:24

Does he have a soft bite - our lab cross is two and still mouths his dog walker (who he loves) but has a very soft bite so it's never been an issue with her or us.

He does it when he's really excited

willdoitinaminute · 09/12/2017 12:55

I could have put money on your pup being a lab/cross lab. My lab is nearly 2 and she still mouths (very gently) it’s her way of communicating. When she needs to go outside she takes hold of my hand and leads me to the kitchen. If she wants you to rub her chest she guides your hand to just the right spot. She is very soft mouthed and can pick up full water bomb balloons without bursting them. At nearly 2 she has learnt not to mouth everyone, just me because I’m the only one who responds. DH and DS ignore her mouthing to go out so she is more vocal with them.
The trouble is you have a combination of a breed known for mouthing and bred to retrieve and one bred as a bite and hold guard dog. I know this is a gross generalisation but all lab owners will tell you that they are met by their dog bearing a gift (shoe, toy, jumper in fact the first thing they can find) every time they walk through the door. Alsations are beautiful gentle dogs but the breed has developed as protection dog.
You may need to get professional advice if it continues.

SleightOfMind · 09/12/2017 18:47

One of my greyhounds still does this to me, DH or DS1 if we’re playing with her.
She’s very gentle and never hurts.
She also ‘holds’ my hand in her mouth to take me somewhere. It’s very cute if a bit slobbery!

She doesn’t do it to the younger DCs or anyone she doesn’t know very well though so it’s not a problem.

Original poster

Kit2015 · 10/12/2017 17:23

Yes it's very gentle, he does it when he's excited. Over the weekend we've been saying No really firmly and then give him something to chew.
He's started to bring us a toy if he wants to play now. So hopefully we've redirected it.

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Original poster

Kit2015 · 10/12/2017 17:25

But we will keep an eye on it, and if he gets worse or insistent we'll contact our trainer for some extra tips. Thanks for all the advice.
He's a beautiful dog but giant who doesn't realise his size and strength.

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Biteybiteybite · 10/12/2017 21:05

I would do uh uh (Or ah ah) in a fairly loud low voice and put a cuddly toy in his mouth. If he carrys on, separate him from you for a couple of minutes. The yelping thing was awful for us, my pup just went for the sound of it (face!!) Toy distraction, firm ah ah and if all else fails time out. Mine is still bitey but nowhere near as bad!!

MissRainbowBrite · 11/12/2017 21:29

Our Springer still does this even at nearly 4 years old. It doesn't help that DH lets her play that way with him. She is very soft mouthed though and as others have said with gundog breeds she can carry balloons around and not pop them and always greets you with a shoe/sock/anything she can bloody well carry to you! And she does know that DH is the only one who plays that game and is very gentle with everybody else and wouldn't dream of trying to bite b

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