Just like toddlers, puppies want to put everything they can in their mouth.  They are teething, and many dogs have been bred to have the drive to put things in their mouths.  There are a number of ways you can work through your puppy’s mouthing period and even drastically reduce it.  Try these different methods to see which works best with your puppy…

Yelping - Some people suggest making a “yelping” sound when your puppy nips at you.  Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t.  The theory behind it is that you will make the sound of a litter mate yelping, and then the puppy will know that they bit too hard.  It’s called “bite inhibition”, knowing how hard they can use their teeth during play.  If they use their teeth too hard, their playmate yelps and then play is over.  Although this can be an effective method for some, PWD puppies can get over excited and start nipping even more.  They realize they’ve pushed a button and they think its fun to get a reaction out of you.

Ignoring - If you puppy is jumping up, nipping, sometimes the best thing to do is ignore. Stand up straight, cross your arms, look up at the ceiling…  Don’t say a word.  Of course, if he is using your pant leg as his new tug toy, this may not be the time to ignore…

Water squirt bottle - Using a squirt bottle is one of my favorite methods for nippy puppies.  It seems to be effective in most cases.  The squirt becomes a remote correction.  You don’t have to touch your puppy at all, and since nipping can be a frustrating behavior for us humans to deal with, the sooner we reduce or eliminate it, the more “fun” time we can spend with our pups.  There is a trick to using the squirt bottle though.  Pick a command you want to use that tells your puppy to stop: Enough, No Bite, Stop, etc.  Say the command right before you squirt them, this way they will hear the command and then receive the correction.  If you only use the squirt bottle with no command before, you’ll end up having to carry a squirt bottle around everywhere you go!  

Some breeds actually like the squirt – water dogs like Labradors, etc.  In this case you can add a little bit of white vinegar to the water. Just a tiny amount.  They don’t like the smell or taste so then it becomes a more effective correction.

Two good tips to remember when you are working on correcting your puppy’s mouthing behavior.

1. Whichever method you choose to use when you puppy nips, always remember to then quickly show him what is right.  You’re showing him that chewing on your hands is wrong, but then how does he know what he is supposed to chew on?  So, each time you need to correct him, quickly redirect him to something that is appropriate (and make sure you have plenty puppy toys around so one is always within your reach!).

2. Sometimes little puppies (just like little children again!) get overtired.  I found that when my puppies would get mouthy they were starting to get overtired.  If they nipped and I had to redirect them more than a couple times in a row, I would give them a gentle time out in their crate.  You can even put their toys in their crate with them.  Timeouts only need to be for a couple minutes, just enough time to settle themselves down.   Nine times out of ten they ended up falling asleep in that short amount of time, so I knew that when they started to nip and get the little “Puppy Crazies” that they were starting to get overtired. (and remember – DON’T let them out of their crate if they are having a temper tantrum!!). This is the biggest problem we see with owners and crate training. They feel sorry for the puppy, or are sure it has separation anxiety. Believe me, he’s smart and is learning that if he puts up a big enough fuss, you’ll let him out. Stay Strong! ☺

Giene Keyes

Giene Keyes is the owner of Moon Dog Training, LLC, providing positive in-home training, behavior consultations and group classes. After receiving “Best of Madison'' multiple years in a row, Giene sold her dog daycare to focus on her dog behavior work.  Giene has been working with pets and their owners for over 30 years.  She is a professional animal trainer and behavior specialist in Southern Wisconsin. Giene divides her time between teaching group classes and private lessons – Specializing in manners and aggression cases.  Giene works with vets, rescue groups and shelters, evaluating dogs for adoption, developing Canine Aggression Management Programs, and educating staff on dog language and behaviors.  She consults for dog daycares and training companies by educating staff on dog body language, cues, managing a pack, difficult dogs and much more. She provides behavior consultations for service dog organizations and rescue groups in the Midwest.  She has been an Instructor with the American Red Cross in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the American Kennel Club, and a Licensed Judge with the WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection. Giene is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer.  She routinely presents seminars on dog behavior and training, as well as chicken training seminars to promote team building.  Giene has been a regular guest on popular Madison radio shows and evening newscasts. Giene has also been featured in numerous local magazines, including the cover for Wisconsin Woman. Giene is a published author (see her Chicken Training Book!) and loves demonstrating to people how clever dogs, chickens and pigs can be.

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