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How to get a puppy to stop mouthing on peoples hands!

  • 23-06-2014 8:56pm
    #1
    Ms.Sunshine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 441 ✭✭


    My puppy is only 4 1/2 months so he is only still teething.. But he has always nibbled on peoples hands when they greet him and where as his teeth are not able to do damage yet I am worried that When they can it will become an issue.

    Has anybody had similar experiences with this and have any training tips they wish to share?

    Thanks in advance :)


Comments

  • #2
    tk123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,062 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    Has he been around other dogs much? My older dog was terrible for play biting - we used to lead him out of the room and put him in time out for a few ins again and again..the younger dog (13 months) never bit us at all - she kept attacking her big brother and he kept giving out to her so she quickly learned what was acceptable.


  • #3
    Ms.Sunshine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 441 ✭✭Ms.Sunshine


    No he doesn't have much contact with other dogs as he is our only dog atm. He seems to socialize well with other dogs though..I have heard that alright, that if they are in a pack the other dogs will let them know fast what they are allowed get away with!!

    We have tried the time out on and off but we must stick to it now as it is important.


  • #4
    Melissa30
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭Melissa30


    I would agree other dogs would be the best teachers. Have you any friends or family with well socialised dogs he could mix with?


  • #5
    DBB
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    It's all very well allowing your pup learn how to moderate his biting on other dogs, but as long as humans continue to allow him to mouth on them, he'll have no reason to stop when it comes to humans.
    You answered your own question op... Doing time-outs, or any form of training where you're controlling the consequences, are only as good as the consistency with which they're applied!
    Your pup simply can't effectively learn how to discriminate if you don't calmly and consistently let him know that he's going on a time-out if he doesn't heed your verbal warning, every time.
    If you're half-hearted about it, you're potentially making the problem worse, because you're setting your pup up to be randomly reinforced for mouthing.... And random reinforcement is a great way to effectively maintain a behaviour!


  • #6
    Ms.Sunshine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 441 ✭✭Ms.Sunshine


    Thanks for the advice! I just have one more question. I am just back from a walk with the puppy and for the last bit I ran with him on the lead like we do most times. But this time we looked at me growling and barking after a few seconds of running.... Why is he doing this!? He has just started barking.. He barked at one other person since we got him and the person was pretty much a stranger. It has confused me a bit!? ..


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  • #7
    DBB
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    When he looks at you, growls and barks, have you stopped running at this stage? Or is it while you're running.
    Pups often go through a few leery patches as they make the transition from puppyhood into adulthood, but he may just have been getting overly excited by the running?


  • #8
    Ms.Sunshine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 441 ✭✭Ms.Sunshine


    No we are still running while he barks.. I wouldn't mind if he was getting excited and getting used to hearing his bark as long as he wasn't turning on me! It is just odd to me how he never barked before when we ran.


  • #9
    DBB
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    Ms.Sunshine wrote: »
    No we are still running while he barks.. I wouldn't mind if he was getting excited and getting used to hearing his bark as long as he wasn't turning on me! It is just odd to me how he never barked before when we ran.

    He's quite likely been building up to it op! Chasing and running after things is deeply and inherently rewarding to many dogs, none more so than collies!
    If he's having a go at your trouser legs, as well as barking and growling, it sounds like he's getting overly-buzzed, and doing what puppies do when someone is running around. You're only seeing it now as it is becoming more obvious, and is the start of a new behavioural repertoire that most pups, and pretty much all collies, will start at some point.
    I'd be inclined to immediately stop running as soon as he starts to bark or grab at you. As soon as he stops, off you go again. Alternatively, stop running with him for a few weeks as the tendency may just pass if you give it a break for a while.


  • #10
    deelite
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,876 ✭✭✭deelite


    My niece's pup was "play biting" with people's hands and we read on some site when the pup does this you make a yelp sound (as if the pup has really hurt you) - put the pup out of the room for a few mins and then let them back in - this has worked brilliantly for her.


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