Mouthy puppy

[theretohere]

She's just over 12 weeks old, we've had her since she was 7. She's 1/2 husky 1/2 basset hound.
She initially was very nippy in all situations- everytime she could catch a body part she'd nip. She's never actually bitten.
We've been working with her and it's a lot better- you can play with her with toys, she'll fetch a ball and let you leash her without nipping. The only time she still nips is when you try to pet her. It is not angry- it is excited. Everytime. She's very wiggly and high energy.
We've worked through all her bad habits and this is all that's left. Help! I want to be able to pet my puppy without knowing if I'm going to be met with tiny teeth!

[stayinghome]

I remember being told to let ours mouth at our hands, and then when he got too forceful loudly yelping to him so he learns what pressure is ok with humans. Also we hand-fed him a lot, the idea being that they learn to trust your care, know "where their food comes from" and also so they learn to take food gently from people.

[theretohere]

It's not a problem with treats or food- she'll take it out of my toddler's hand carefully and gently. And it's not a problem with purposefully nipping while playing- it's only when you try to pet her. She gets really excited and then nippy. I think it's like licking to show happiness- only less amusing.

[theretohere]

Anyone else? Please?

[Noelle C.]

My method:

When pup nips, even if in play, grab hold of the lower jaw. Not hard, but enough that it's not fun. Pup will pull her head away. Let go. It teaches them that human body part in mouth means fun and excitement stops for a moment. I've never had a puppy take longer than a week or so with this method. Consistency is necessary.

I promise it doesn't hurt them, just annoys them for a moment.

Lavishly praise other forms of excitement-showing that are acceptable.

We've had many comments on how unusual it is that, even when playing, our dogs will pull their heads away and close their mouths if someone tries to poke their mouths. They'll come back at you with licks, but human body parts they do not like and won't have in their mouths.

[greenmagick]

First step is let them mouth a bit and them yelp and walk away when it gets to hard. next step is to yelp and walk away, end the game, put them away, etc whenever teeth touch skin.

Check out Ian Dunbars Before and After You Get your Puppy....he has a ton of great info on mouthing and bite inhibition.

[CvilleC]

I mainly wanted to empathize. My dog was the nippiest pup, and it is really hard as those teeth are sharp and they get so excited! Taking her on walks involved her mainly pouncing on my legs and nipping. Sometimes she would nip at a place she had already gotten, and it was serious pain.

The yelping would sometimes work with her, but not a whole lot. Maybe I wasn't dramatic enough. I didn't want to put her in her crate as a time out b/c I was still working on crate training and having that be a purely positive place. I had a baby gate up and would just walk away for a bit, although I couldn't leave her alone b/c she might do some damage or have an accident....I tried putting bitter apple and lime on my hand, but she didn't seem to mind. Man, I'm feeling a little tired just remembering all the work that comes with a puppy!

I think having a reliable older dog for her to play with helped. One very patient lab would hold her down a little bit when she got too wily, and she continued learning the rules of play.

Also remember that 12 weeks is still very much a baby. It's important to keep that in mind. And if you've already worked through all her bad stuff, then she must be a quick learner! She'll get there. In the mean time, you should share some pictures. I'm trying to imagine what a basset hound husky mix looks like!

I worried that her nipping would lead to some bigger problem, and I fretted that my jeans and patience just couldn't take it anymore. And then one day I realized she just wasn't nipping anymore. It stopped. My friends with dogs promised it would, her vet and dog trainer said the same thing, but it's hard to believe when you have the little alligator on your hand. Hopefully it will end soon for your dog as well!