mouthing and nipping
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.
- 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!).
- 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 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 20 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 on 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 and loves demonstrating to people how clever dogs, chickens and pigs can be.
So, here is how he worked through his Behavior Extinction:
Day One
Morning - Scratched at the door. Nothing (from me). Scratched again. Nothing. This probably happened 5-6 times and then he heard a neighbor dog bark, so he turned and walked a couple steps away from the door. I quickly opened the door and called him in. Yes, this sounds like cheating, but it still counts! Remember, he’s not scratching at the door. In fact, he is placed further away from the door, not barking, just standing there when I let him in.
Lunch - Scratched at the door. Nothing. Scratched again. Nothing. Jumped up on hind legs and scratched. Nothing. He stood there on his hind legs with his feet on the door for a few seconds. Jumped off. Scratched again. Walked backwards and barked. Huh… Interesting. Do you see how the burst is starting? In the morning he became distracted so he didn’t really have the time to work through his frustration. But now he’s thinking about it more because nothing else is going on, and he wants to come in.
He probably scratched and barked for about 5 minutes at this point. He walked away from the door in a large circle and I quickly called him in. I think he was going to just circle around and come back to the door, but I called him in before he had a chance to.
Evening - Same scenario as Lunch…
Day Two
Morning - Did not scratch this time, but went to the door and barked. Walked backwards, barked some more. Came over to the window (near the door). I could see him staring in the window (but he couldn’t see me). At this point I could have let him in, but I thought that at any second he’d start barking again, and I didn’t want him to hear my hand on the doorknob as soon as he barked. That would have been horrible timing!!
Lunch - He came near the door but didn’t bark (yay!!!!!). I quickly let him in before he had time to think more about it…
Dinner - He came over to the door and didn’t move. This time I wanted to wait a second to see if he’d bark. My goal at this point is to wait longer and longer. But, only by a few seconds extra each time. Shoot, he barked. So I waited. I look like a weirdo because I’m hiding behind the door so he can’t see me. If he could see me it would be game over.
Day Three
Morning - He didn’t scratch. Didn’t bark. Just stood at the door. I waited until the count of 10 and let him in. Yippe!! This doesn’t mean we are home free, but for sure on the right path. From this point I can start waiting longer. Or, I can decide if I want him to offer a different behavior, like sit or lay down and wait.
If at any point during this Behavior Extinction period I would have looked at him, said something to him, let him in when he was about to bark (or scratch or whatever is an unwanted behavior), I would have had to start from scratch. In fact, it would be harder then starting from scratch because I’ve already shown him that if he’s persistent in his unwanted behavior, he’ll get attention.
It’s so easy for us humans to yell at our dogs, “be quiet”! It makes us feel good to get that release of frustration. And, it may work… for a minute. But all it does is give our dog attention. Albeit negative attention, it is still attention.
So, at this point all of my dogs come up onto the deck and wait to come in. I can usually hear them walking on the deck. They just hang out there and wait. Sometimes they look around like Yertle the Turtle and survey their surroundings. Sometimes they sit and stare at the door or window. Occasionally I get a whine here and there, and then I have to think about my training again.
Hopefully this helps you to recognize Behavior Extinction. When it’s happening in your dog, and how to work through it. If you still have questions, let me know!
Photo credits; Diana Albright Kilburn, Alyssa Smith, Dani Blin, Danielle Collins
Day One
Morning - Scratched at the door. Nothing (from me). Scratched again. Nothing. This probably happened 5-6 times and then he heard a neighbor dog bark, so he turned and walked a couple steps away from the door. I quickly opened the door and called him in. Yes, this sounds like cheating, but it still counts! Remember, he’s not scratching at the door. In fact, he is placed further away from the door, not barking, just standing there when I let him in.
Lunch - Scratched at the door. Nothing. Scratched again. Nothing. Jumped up on hind legs and scratched. Nothing. He stood there on his hind legs with his feet on the door for a few seconds. Jumped off. Scratched again. Walked backwards and barked. Huh… Interesting. Do you see how the burst is starting? In the morning he became distracted so he didn’t really have the time to work through his frustration. But now he’s thinking about it more because nothing else is going on, and he wants to come in.
He probably scratched and barked for about 5 minutes at this point. He walked away from the door in a large circle and I quickly called him in. I think he was going to just circle around and come back to the door, but I called him in before he had a chance to.
Evening - Same scenario as Lunch…
Day Two
Morning - Did not scratch this time, but went to the door and barked. Walked backwards, barked some more. Came over to the window (near the door). I could see him staring in the window (but he couldn’t see me). At this point I could have let him in, but I thought that at any second he’d start barking again, and I didn’t want him to hear my hand on the doorknob as soon as he barked. That would have been horrible timing!!
Lunch - He came near the door but didn’t bark (yay!!!!!). I quickly let him in before he had time to think more about it…
Dinner - He came over to the door and didn’t move. This time I wanted to wait a second to see if he’d bark. My goal at this point is to wait longer and longer. But, only by a few seconds extra each time. Shoot, he barked. So I waited. I look like a weirdo because I’m hiding behind the door so he can’t see me. If he could see me it would be game over.
Day Three
Morning - He didn’t scratch. Didn’t bark. Just stood at the door. I waited until the count of 10 and let him in. Yippe!! This doesn’t mean we are home free, but for sure on the right path. From this point I can start waiting longer. Or, I can decide if I want him to offer a different behavior, like sit or lay down and wait.
If at any point during this Behavior Extinction period I would have looked at him, said something to him, let him in when he was about to bark (or scratch or whatever is an unwanted behavior), I would have had to start from scratch. In fact, it would be harder then starting from scratch because I’ve already shown him that if he’s persistent in his unwanted behavior, he’ll get attention.
It’s so easy for us humans to yell at our dogs, “be quiet”! It makes us feel good to get that release of frustration. And, it may work… for a minute. But all it does is give our dog attention. Albeit negative attention, it is still attention.
So, at this point all of my dogs come up onto the deck and wait to come in. I can usually hear them walking on the deck. They just hang out there and wait. Sometimes they look around like Yertle the Turtle and survey their surroundings. Sometimes they sit and stare at the door or window. Occasionally I get a whine here and there, and then I have to think about my training again.
Hopefully this helps you to recognize Behavior Extinction. When it’s happening in your dog, and how to work through it. If you still have questions, let me know!
Photo credits; Diana Albright Kilburn, Alyssa Smith, Dani Blin, Danielle Collins
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.
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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