Falcon is almost 7 months and has started "mouthing" my husband and I more often. If I tell him to sit and he not only doesn't sit but starts to walk away, I'll take hold of his collar to bring him back and he will grab by arm/hand. I've put a drag line back on him so I don't have to physically touch him to bring him back or get him to comply, so now he will grab the line. He has started jumping up on me when I'm sitting in my chair and when I say "NO" he is just looking at me with a big silly grin and then when I go to push him off he is grabbing me. He is MOUTHY; he will grab my shoe when I'm sitting down (its on my foot), if I move my foot he will go for my leg, etc... When possible I'll redirect with a toy or a command such as sit to get him to focus on something else and this often helps. With that said, I DO NOT Want a 90# GSD who is happy to take my hands in his mouth when he doesn't want to do what I've asked.

One other thing to throw in the mix... I've been considering training Falcon in Schutzhund but am honestly giving this more thought. From what I picked up at the last training, I need to be "tolerant" of his exuberant behavior since part of that is good for the training. I can't help but feel right now (maybe I'm in a crabby mood) that perhaps that isn't the sport for me if I want a well behaved, well mannered house dog.

Long winded message to say I don't know what is 7 month old puppy versus what is a dog who is trying to work his way up the pack rank... How do you tell the difference and what should I be doing differently?

Hello: No real suggestions, although I just wanted to let you know there is hope.
None of my GSDs were ever mouthy, but, when I got my first standard poodle, she was the most mouthiest dog that I can ever imagine.
I just kept refocusing her to a toy and doing some of her tricks and commands with lots of treats and attention. Finally she turned a year old and has pretty much stopped all the mouthiness, I think she just grew out of it. She was this way especially when we had been gone and she was excited to see us.
So hopefully yours will soon outgrow it also, by the way mine really didn't start doing it until around 5-6 months old and got worse around 7 months old.
Good luck and don't give up on him!

I would say just keep redirecting his mouth onto a toy, I think especially if you are going to do Schutzhund. He WILL get better eventually.

With mine, (they have all been just "pets", not competing in Schutzhund) I have "yelped" and then put a toy in their mouth whenever I got teeth on me.

I appreciate the encouragement and will keep a tug / toy down my shirt in case it is needed!

Barbara, im not sure about how it works with a 7 month old pup thats planned on being used for Schutzund as far as mouthing goes.

I think they don't want you to CORRECT the dog for biting, but I don't think there's anything wrong with REDIRECTING him onto something less painful...lol.

Do you have a Kong? I would fill it with something that will catch his attention and use that as his diversion.

I would also more think it's puppy behaviour still at 7 months. thats just my own opinion though. Other's may think differently.
Have you started the training, or have you just gone to see some training sessions?

well, it will stop at some point, if that's any consolation for you.

Im sure all these schutzhund people aren't constantly battling off their dogs day in day out (once they've passed this stage that is)...lol. Im sure there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I would assume once your guy learns what IS ok to bite and what isn't he won't be using you as his own personal chew toy anymore.

but again, I have absolutely no training in that area, this is just info i've gotten from the people on the site that do do (heehee) schutzhund with their dogs.

Edited by Wendy Lefebvre (02/27/2009 03:01 PM)
Edit reason: stuff

You are right; it is mostly a puppy thing. As the dog matures mentally and learns through positive redirection what is appropriate, it will lessen significantly.

My adult has been in SCH for a year or so, but I never corrected for the jumping/mouthing even as a pup. He will not even consider jumping/mouthing on me in any situation outside of drive work, and then it is on accident.

There is hope!

Barbara,
It's rather a balancing act. On one hand you don't want to suppress the dog in his aggression in bite work, on the other you need to be able to live with and control the dog.
That's why I think the ring judges the handler/trainer more than the dog. But that's an old argument.
If you want a sport dog, I think you need to put up with redirection for moment. Myself at seven months (and if I were aspiring to the ring), I'd say 'okay you want some play, here's the first thing to do: 'heel', 'sit', 'down', 'etc.' Then the tug game is played. It only takes about 10 mintues, and the dog has worked hard enough for the reward it's happy just to be with it.

Whatever, at seven months he's just starting to feel his oats, don't worry you can build on it, or suppress it. Just decide where your limits are.
It'll all pass.


If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

Thanks for the insight and input. He IS starting to feel his oats and I just want to make sure I don't create a problem by allowing / tolerating it... He is getting to be a big guy, and in my heart of hearts I just don't think my dog should be biting / mouthing on me or anyone in my home.