My 10 month old pup has a habit of gently play biting. He is very gentle and he does is mostly when we are rough housing. Sometimes he will just sit on the couch and put my hand in his mouth and start to fall asleep. Is this a comfort thing or what? I'm not worried because he is so gentle but I am curious.
2007-03-22 02:03:33 · 9 answers · asked by macdoyal 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The mouthing should only be on your terms. That means, you instigate it, and then you end it. The dog should never instigate it and never be allowed to escalate it to too high a level of arousal.
Unfortunately many people allow this behavior without any rules or limitations and it then can spill over into dominant behavior against the owner or against all people. And depending on what type of breed you have may make it more likely for the dog to see this as an invitation to display some dominance. Make sure that you clearly define for the dog what is acceptable and what is not and that you keep a relationship of you being in control and the dog as a follower. I allow this behavior in my dogs, however, we clearly understand that this is allowed when i choose and it ends when i choose and they may not do it with other people. If you cannot put these rules on your dog then it's much safer to just not allow it at all.
2007-03-22 02:11:35 · answer #1 · answered by SC 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Puppy mouthing, if not corrected ASAP, will lead to biting
that won't be gentle. Dogs need to learn that their teeth should never ever under any circumstances be put on human skin.
Also rough housing with your dog is not a good idea. When he gets larger, you can bet he'll try it will someone and end up hurting them, unintentionally.
Allowing a puppy to play roughly with you will create serious behavioral problems later on.
This is because it allows the dog to feel that he is dominate
Alpha Dog in his family pack and that you are the submissive one that has to obey him.
The next time he mouths you, say a loud "NO Bad Dog"
Pick him up by the loose skin on the back of his neck, give him a little shake, flip him over onto his back tummy up, hold him there and bite him on his ear hard enough to make him yelp. Then let him up.
Repeat as needed. This works wonders for any bad behavior the dog might exhibit.
He will soon learn that you are dominate ALPHA dog in his pack and that he needs to be submissive and obey you.
2007-03-22 10:27:32 · answer #2 · answered by txharleygirl1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on where you are going with your dog. If it is only going to be a family pet it is OK as long as you are setting the parameters of the mouthing.
If you are planning advanced training of some sort mouthing will become a hindrance.
Mouthing is perfectly normal for a puppy, and is it's first instinctive act in life (nursing). You will find that puppy's remain extremely food oriented until about 6-7 months of age when the develop the cognitive skills necessary to understand other motivations.
2007-03-22 09:41:25 · answer #3 · answered by tom l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are probably different opinions on this, but I think that what may be "cute" when he's a pup could turn into dangerous when he's older. I think the real test is, does he nip at people other than when he rough-houses with you? If yes, I think yo need to train him to stop. You can do this by grabbing his muzzle when he nips, and hold it firmly in your hand, and say "No Bite!". You don;t want to hurt him, but let him know you mean business. It worked great fo rmy dog.
Good Luck
2007-03-22 09:11:58 · answer #4 · answered by JeffyB 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This will be a learned behavior with you. Many would suggest that it is a bad habit to allow your dog to do this. I have had dogs since I was 11 yrs old and have always played and rough housed with my dogs like that. As they get a little older you may have to remind them from time to time to do it easy, but it is part of their play and I say OK. And yes it is comforting to him, after all , your his best friend.
2007-03-22 09:10:12 · answer #5 · answered by EGOman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is it a golden by any chance? i always hear stories about them just taking an arm in their mouth and holding it there haha. they are a mouthy breed! this is completely normal, especially if it happens during rough play. your dog seems to know exactly how much pressure is ok without hurting you. you might want to work on an "out" command. teaching him to drop your arm when you say "out", that way if he decides he wants to have a strangers hand in his mouth, you can tell him no in case they aren't a fan of that kind of thing.
2007-03-22 09:10:20 · answer #6 · answered by the_most_happy17 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"Mouthing" is normal but it's up to you to teach bite inhibition when it gets out of hand. Try redirecting the pup to a proper chew toy when the mouthing gets to be unacceptable.
2007-03-22 09:25:25 · answer #7 · answered by W. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A puppy is just like a baby that is teething. They are trying to get strong teeth. Biting and chewing things will help with strong teeth and jaw muscles. I wouldn't be worried until a child came along....then you would have a problem. My suggestion is you get your pup a chew toy.
2007-03-22 09:07:33 · answer #8 · answered by Hermione 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its normal
2007-03-22 09:06:23 · answer #9 · answered by toomuchpain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋