Adolescent Behaviors
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      Mouthing

      How and why is it important to address mouthing in dogs?

      Introduction

      Mouthing is when a dog puts their mouth around something without actually biting down. It is a common and natural dog behavior, as puppies use their mouths to explore the world. However, mouthing can become inappropriate if it is not addressed early on. It is important to teach your dog not to mouth people or objects, and to learn bite inhibition (the ability to recognize how hard they bite down).

      Common Misconceptions

      • Some people believe that mouthing is a sign of aggression. This is not always the case. Mouthing can be a sign of aggression, but it can also be a sign of playfulness, excitement, or curiosity.
      • Others believe that there is nothing you can do to stop mouthing. This is not true. There are several things you can do to address mouthing behavior and prevent it from happening in the future.

      Mouthing - Video Walkthrough

      Steps to Address

      Teaching Phase:

      1. Start in a low-stimulation environment and offer the dog a toy or object to play with safely with the handler to help redirect the mouthing.
      2. If the puppy is persistent and consistent with mouthing after providing treats and toys that are appropriate to mouth, then you can verbally mark a firm "NO" when the dog goes to mouth the handler while the handler maintains a firm but calm demeanor and holding arm/hand/leg still to prevent making it a game.
      3. In some cases, the verbal and tone can be enough to correct the dog, but if the mouthing continues, use a leash and collar and add a correction with your "no".
      4. When the dog makes good choices of not mouthing and playing appropriately, then reward and mark with a "yes" or "good".

      Reinforcing Phase:

      1. Stay consistent and don't allow the dog to mouth you.
      2. At this point, you can slowly start adding more stimulus in the environment.
      3. If the dog needs the verbal and leash correction, continue to keep the dog on the leash when having the opportunity to mouth. You can allow the leash to drag on the ground.
      4. Mark and reward good choices.
      5. You can also utilize e-collar to allow more freedom to correct the behavior.

      Proofing Phase:

      1. Once the dog is consistently listening to the verbal correction or is offering better behaviors, you can fade out using the leash and collar or e-collar, but they can always go back on leash and collar or e-collar if the dog begins to not listen.
      2. Allow other people of the household to handle or play with the dog, while still not allowing mouthing. As different people handles the dog, you may have to continue with leash and collar or e-collar for a period of time.

      Maintenance Phase:

      1. Stay consistent with not allowing the dog to mouth.
      2. If you know your dog is in a situation they may become mouthy, continue protocols for the dog with leash and collar or e-collar.
      3. Utilize the crate or obedience in overstimulating situations to keep the dog successful.

      Case Studies

      • Case Study 1: Charlie is a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever who mouths people when he is excited. His owners tried ignoring the behavior, but it only made it worse. They then tried punishing Charlie, but this also did not work. Finally, they enrolled Charlie in a training class where he learned the command "no bite." Now, when Charlie gets excited, he knows to sit down and wait for his owners to give him a toy to chew on.
      • Case Study 2: Sadie is a 10-year-old Beagle who mouths furniture when she is bored. Her owners tried providing her with more chew toys, but this did not work. They then tried supervising her more closely, but this also did not work. Finally, they enrolled Sadie in a training class where she learned the command "leave it." Now, when Sadie sees furniture that she wants to mouth, she knows to leave it alone.

      Pet Parent Coaching Tips

      • Be patient. It takes time and patience to address mouthing behavior in dogs. Do not get discouraged if you do not see results immediately.
      • Be consistent. It is important to be consistent with your training. If you are inconsistent, your dog will not learn what you are trying to teach them.
      • Be positive. Use positive reinforcement when your dog is not mouthing people or objects. This will help them learn that mouthing is not a good behavior.
      • Do not punish your dog for mouthing. Punishment will only make the behavior worse. Instead, focus on redirecting your dog's mouthing and providing them with appropriate chew toys.

      Conclusion

      Mouthing is a common behavior in puppies, but it is important to address it early on so that it does not become a problem. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can help your dog learn not to mouth people or objects and learn bite inhibition.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Q: What if my dog only mouths when they are excited?
        A: If your dog only mouths when they are excited, it is likely a sign of excitement mouthing. You can help your dog stop excitement mouthing by teaching them the command "no bite" and by providing them with appropriate chew toys to keep them occupied.
      • Q: What if my dog only mouths when they are bored?
        A: If your dog only mouths when they are bored, it is likely a sign of boredom mouthing. You can help your dog stop boredom mouthing by providing them with more chew toys and by supervising them more closely.