Puppy mouthing is a normal behaviour, as puppies use their mouths to explore the world and interact with people. Here's how to address and reduce puppy mouthing:
If your puppy mouths ignore your puppy for a few seconds to show them that rough mouthing ends playtime. Resume play: After a short pause, resume playing with your puppy. If they bite too hard again, repeat the process.
Offer chew toys: When your puppy starts mouthing, immediately give them a chew toy or teething ring. This helps them learn what’s acceptable to chew on. Use a variety of toys: Make sure your puppy has a variety of textures and toys to explore, such as rubber toys, ropes, or plush toys. This keeps them engaged and reduces mouthing on hands or furniture. Another couple of things to help them with the pain of mouthing is ice cubes, frozen vegetables, core and apple and stuff with dog friendly peanut butter and freeze it to help it last longer, etc.
Reward good behaviour: Praise and reward your puppy with treats or affection when they play without mouthing. Positive reinforcement encourages them to use their mouth gently or focus on appropriate toys.
Practice “gentle” command: Teach your puppy a command like “gentle” when playing. When they mouth softly or refrain from biting, reward them. This helps them understand how to use a soft mouth.
Time-out method: If your puppy continues mouthing despite warnings, stop play and calmly leave the room or put them in a safe, quiet area for a brief time-out (about 30 seconds). This teaches them that mouthing too hard leads to a loss of play and attention.
Be consistent: Consistently stop play or walk away whenever the mouthing gets too rough. This helps the puppy understand that gentle play keeps things fun, but rough mouthing stops the fun.
Exercise and enrichment: Puppies often mouth when they have excess energy or are bored. Make sure your puppy gets plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation with games, training, and playtime.
Puzzle toys: Use puzzle feeders or interactive toys that challenge your puppy and keep them occupied, reducing the likelihood of mouthing out of boredom.
Mouthing is normal: Keep in mind that mouthing is a normal puppy behaviour, especially during teething. With consistency and patience, your puppy will learn to control their mouth as they grow.
