April 21, 2011
I have a pup who likes to leave his mouth open on our hands, arms, or feet while player but never clamps down. How do we discourage this behavior?
Full Question:
Hi,My husband and I have a four month old Boxer who likes to put his open mouth on our hands, arms, feet while playing, but he never clamps down. How should we discourage this behavior? We have been holding his jaw closed and saying "no biting" and then putting him in his crate, but this seems to be unsuccessful as he continues later on. What are your ideas on improving the situation? And now when we come to the crate to let him out, he has been cowering his head. We ignore this and walk away, coming back later and hoping he won't do it again. We come back later when he's not cowering, tell him to sit while he's in the crate, he sits, then we let him out and praise him for sitting. He will be neutered tomorrow--will that help the situation?
Diana
Cindy's Answer:
I would be using our groundwork program with this puppy, and establishing firm leadership through this method as opposed to holding his mouth closed and putting him in his crate. It’s not working and most likely is the reason he is cowering in his crate.
Please read this article about becoming an effective pack leader.
I don’t know which videos you already have, as I could not find you in our database. Here is what I recommend
Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months
Basic Dog Obedience
Pack Structure for the Family Pet
I also recommend that you go to the web site and read the article on “Ed’s Philosophy of Dog Training.” I believe you will not only learn something about dog training, I hope you will also adopt the same philosophy on dog training.
Neutering at 4 months old? I would not recommend having that done at such a young age, when you neuter dogs too young they are perpetually immature. Unless there is a medical reason for having this done so early, I would question any veterinarian that would suggest this.
I hope this helps.
Please read this article about becoming an effective pack leader.
I don’t know which videos you already have, as I could not find you in our database. Here is what I recommend
Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months
Basic Dog Obedience
Pack Structure for the Family Pet
I also recommend that you go to the web site and read the article on “Ed’s Philosophy of Dog Training.” I believe you will not only learn something about dog training, I hope you will also adopt the same philosophy on dog training.
Neutering at 4 months old? I would not recommend having that done at such a young age, when you neuter dogs too young they are perpetually immature. Unless there is a medical reason for having this done so early, I would question any veterinarian that would suggest this.
I hope this helps.
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