Do you feel like you’re raising a baby dinosaur? 🦕
Part of it can be breed, personality, gender (sometimes males are more mouthy), lack of training & boundaries, OR they’re just teething pretty hard and don’t have an appropriate outlet for it.
Either way, here are a few tips/approaches to limiting that nippy behaviour ⬇️
✅ As soon as you’re able to begin teaching them commands, teach “sit” or “down” and begin using that command as a redirect for when they begin mouthing/nipping at you during play or affection. Once they complete the command, give them a toy. This rewards them for being a good listener while also mentally getting them to focus on something other than using their mouth on you (thanks for this tip, @thegooddogyorktown 🙌🏼)
🚫 Don’t tease them with something you don’t want them to bite. That looks like using your hands as a game (this is a big one to teach kids not to do), or dangling your clothing or other non-play items in front of them to get a reaction. Remember, every action has an equal, and opposite REACTION.
✅ Time your affection! You know the saying: “what you pet, you get”? It’s true. If they are over-excited, hyped up, restless or agitated, that is not the time to hold, cuddle or pet them.
🚫 If whatever you’re doing becomes a biting/mouthing game, the interaction stops. Continuing to play and engage a puppy that just wants to nibble you has a pretty obvious outcome: scrapes and ouches.
✅ Puppies require lots of frequent rest & sleep. When they get cranky and have gone too long without sleeping, they will be prone to behaviours such as nipping. So if your puppy is getting super mouthy, it means nap time is imminent, and they need to “turn off”. This is a great time to have some kennel or pen time.
✅ DO start giving them something to put their mind and energy towards. Your puppy is young, but they mentally grow and adapt very quickly. Don't neglect their increasing need for training, guidance, and new adventures to overcome.
BONUS TIP:
🚫 Pay attention to who they're most nippy/mouthy with, and see if you can deduce WHY.
The energy you bring to encounters with your dog can unintentionally be arousing and exciting them to a point where they express inappropriate behaviours in response to the energy YOU are bringing.
If every time they see a specific person they begin mouthing them, it's probably a sign that person isn't being aware of the energy, hype, or excitement they're bringing to the interaction, and needs to take a less demonstrative and sporadic relating style with the puppy. Remember, habits are created VERY quickly with puppies. If you go nuts with them, they will likely go nuts with your guests, children they meet or strangers on walks. Work on your example with your puppy and, and see how their behaviours change.
We hope this helps you and your puppy navigate this teething stage with a little more ease & clarity!
The RLD Team
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