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German Shepherd starting to mouth at my hands.

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  • 28-01-2019 2:15pm
    #1
    Duff
    Registered Users Posts: 5,538 ✭✭✭


    Hey guys,

    I have a 16 month male German Shepherd who is an absolute pleasure to own, he's house trained, very friendly towards other dogs/people (sometimes too much that leads to giddy jumping on them!) and generally very obedient.

    However, recently he's started to mouth at my hands when I come home from work or haven't seen him in a while. He's not being vicious or biting down or anything but he has to have my hands in his mouth and actively tries to manoeuvre them into his mouth if I'm trying to pet him or whatever. He will usually stop though when he calms down a bit. It doesn't really bother me to be honest but I'm worried he'd try it on someone trying to pet him and it'd be seen as him trying to bite. Any ideas how I can stop this? Scolding him has only led to confused looks and repeated attempts :rolleyes:

    Thanks.


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    #2
    DBB
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,736 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    D'you know what? He wouldn't be a GSD if he didn't do this :D
    It gave me a little lol reading your post, they don't call GSDs the "land shark" for nowt!
    So, he's as bright as a button, he'll pick up very quickly what works for him, and what doesnt. If you simply withdraw your hands and stand up straight, ignoring him when he does it, he won't be long copping on that only when he keeps his mouth to himself will he get his greeting. You may have to repeat this quite a lot at first, but he'll get it!


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    #3
    Duff
    Registered Users Posts: 5,538 ✭✭✭Duff


    Oh I'm well aware of their land shark nickname as he chewed everything in sight including hands and feet as a pup :P but he grew out of it at around 7 months and has only stared this carry on recently so I was wondering, but I'll give your suggestion a go. Cheers!


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    #4
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,032 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    My retriever does it sometimes too - only to his favourites so they think it’s great!


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    #5
    AryaStark
    Registered Users Posts: 656 ✭✭✭AryaStark


    Both my dogs so this! They are quite gentle and will take your hand to show what it is they want i.e bring you to the door or to their food bowl. When they are excited both have toys beside the door - when somebody comes in they grab a toy to say hello - this might help you... keep a rope toy outside the door when you come in give it to the dog. Lets him say hello but with a full mouth to stop biting/mouthing!

    They only do it with family and people they love so it is not a problem for us!


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    #6
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,032 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    AryaStark wrote: »
    Both my dogs so this! They are quite gentle and will take your hand to show what it is they want i.e bring you to the door or to their food bowl. When they are excited both have toys beside the door - when somebody comes in they grab a toy to say hello - this might help you... keep a rope toy outside the door when you come in give it to the dog. Lets him say hello but with a full mouth to stop biting/mouthing!

    They only do it with family and people they love so it is not a problem for us!

    Same - I'm always presented with a toy when I come in :D ...Then they welcome me further by going out for a wee :pac:


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    #7
    aonb
    Registered Users Posts: 3,277 ✭✭✭aonb


    AryaStark wrote: »
    Both my dogs so this! They are quite gentle and will take your hand to show what it is they want i.e bring you to the door or to their food bowl. When they are excited both have toys beside the door - when somebody comes in they grab a toy to say hello - this might help you... keep a rope toy outside the door when you come in give it to the dog. Lets him say hello but with a full mouth to stop biting/mouthing!

    They only do it with family and people they love so it is not a problem for us!

    This works for us too - one boy who loves to mouth hands, teddies in every room! Sometimes hes so excited when we set out for out walk, he takes my glove off and carries it on the walk - very irritating when he drops it later and I dont see where!


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