Bite inhibition in a pup taken from mum too early

[Frequency]

We have a six month old Beagle cross (possibly rotti x no one is sure). He was found on the edge of a farmers field when he was approx 4 weeks old.

He still mouths a lot. He doesn't do it hard, he's learned when he hurts us we remove ourselves from the situation but it's like a compulsion as soon as he gets attention he has to have your hand in his mouth to nibble or suckle.

Is this something he will grow out of naturally or do we need to start training him?

For us, it's not an issue. As I said, it doesn't hurt. He learned to nibble gently quite early on but with him being large I am aware it could be intimidating to guests if he continues on to adulthood.

Our sprocker puppy was horribly mouthy while she was teething and did so for probably around a year. I just used to squeal "ouch" when she did it, so she knew it wasn't OK, and pushed her away with a firm "No" each and every time. It was never painful, but I did worry about her doing it to someone else.

We also had a large supply of split deer antlers and yaks milk chews with knotted rope toys.... she hated anything plasticky.

That makes me feel better, Brillo.

We've only ever had one young puppy before and she was a lapdog breed. She didn't mouth at all. I was worried it was related to him being removed from his mum too soon.

In all other respects he is a great dog. The rescue kept him until he was three months old with other young dogs and a few very patient older dogs to ensure he got the best possible socialisation and he's so clever and loving and also believes he is a lapdog.

Those ears are insane he's gorgeous

If he is a rottie cross, then they are quite mouthy puppies... and he’s nowhere near being an adult yet.

You just want to carry on removing attention until he learns that’s what happens if he mouths at all.

I think, especially if he’s already learned not to mouth/bite hard, if you are consistent with withdrawal and distraction/exchange the behaviour will eventually go to extinction.

We had a rescue who was found in a ditch at less than 24 hours old, so no mum in his life at all and he grew up to be super gentle with his mouth/teeth. We used the phrase ‘no teeth’ when giving him an alternative to chew on and it didn’t take long for him to get the idea that it was more rewarding not to bite/mouth us. Eventually, if he forgot himself in excitement, we just needed to say those words and he would stop straight away. An alternative would be to train a positive distractor noise and use that to interrupt and redirect him. (There are Kikopup videos on this on her YouTube channel.)

At 6 months he should have all his teeth, but some seem to go through an additional teething/bedding-in stage around 5-6 months before things settle down. Hopefully his desire to chew will start to diminish soon, but as long you are consistent and give him rewarding alternatives he’ll get the idea.

Our rotty was mouthy forever!! If she wanted more strokes she made it hard to refuse..
Congratulations on your gorgeous boy!! Is he called Dumbo??

Hi @Frequency - I have a beagle and I have to say, they're a very mouthy breed in general - it's how they play with other beagles too. I call it bitey face

Mine is almost four and he still mouthes at you if he wants play or attention - like you say, it's never hard and he's never drawn blood but I think it's very, very common in the breed.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've found giving mine something to chew on each day helps get that desire out of him a little bit - things like beef skin rolls, pigs ears, pizzle sticks and camel skin all go down well!