Help with a Mouthy Pup?

We have had Dozer since just before Christmas. He is wonderful. However, he has started to become mouthy. He does not bite hard yet. But I am afraid he will start. What is the proper way to break a pup from doing this?

Thanks in advance

Glen

 

This is a very common puppy problem and easy to break if you are consistent. The key to all dog training is consistantcy, you have to make sure the WHOLE family is involved with this. You don't want to be the only one disciplining the pup because he will know he can't act up around you, but he will around other members of the family if they let him get away with these actions. To make a mouthy puppy stop using you a chew toy there are many different methods, you just have to kinda do a trial and error to see which one works best. Here are some methods.

1) The shock method- this means that whenever the puppy chews on you you whelp really LOUD like a puppy would if you stepped on his paw or tail. This not only shocks the pup but he also knows that whelping means pain and not to do that.

2) replacement- whenever he chews on you take one of his bones or chew toys and stick it in his mouth. he needs to know that you are NOT his chew toy and that he has specific toys for chewing. this one works rather well but you have to be consistent.

3) gag method- whenever he chews on your hands, you stick your fingers down his throat until he gags, this one is very effective because the pup will learn after being gagged a couple times he will realize that this isnt fun and he will stop.


These are the main ones and the most effective, of course I'm sure there are plenty of others. Of course like any other training method if you aren't consistent then the puppy wont learn. Just keep it up and don't lose hope, also have you looked into any puppy classes yet?

 

Thanks for the fast response. Do each one of us have to use the same techniqe (sp)? Or just use what works for each of us.

Also on the puppy class. No I haven't enrolled him yet. For one I have not gotten his puppy shots and two we live in such a remote area I am having trouble finding a class. Nearest "town" is 30+ miles. Going to get the first set of shots this weekend.

 

We bit my girl back and one time was all it took... She looked at us quite shocked at our behavior and never bit US again... We play tug etc...but she won't put her mouth on us... We didn't even have to bite her very hard...LOL