posted 05-06-2003 02:03 PM           

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I just adopted a 1 1/2 year old (or so) dog (a Golden Retriever mix)from the local shelter. She needs LOTS of work; she was "returned" to the shelter by her old owner after they didn't spay her and let her get pregnant. I don't think she's EVER been trained, although she does know "SIT." We've enrolled in obedience classes which start next week, but in the meantime does anyone know a good way to teach her not to mouth my arms and feet? Many of the things I've been trying seem to get taken as being part of the "game." Thanks

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posted 05-06-2003 06:35 PM           

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Congrats on your new pooch! What a great thing you've done by giving this dog a home. Sounds like she never had the chance to learn proper mouthing. Obedience is going to help but in the mean time you will have to go back to the basics in teaching this dog about mouthing. At 1 & 1/2 she's still young and you should successfully be able to correct this behavior. Young dogs & puppies frequently mouth during play, as soon as it happens yell OUCH, stop play altogether and walk away from the dog. If play is allowed to continue after she mouths this is indirectly rewarding the undesired behavior. Teach the "be gentle" command and use lots of food and hand feeding, if the dog bites down or you feel teeth yell ouch and do not give treat but say "gentle" until you feel her licking for the food. Even try feeding her some meals like this once and a while. Some dogs mouth when they get wound up, so you'll need to calm her and work on this. Toys are another useful training tool because of the excitement of playing they often get very 'bitey' -- and you control the play. Bitey = no play period but gentle = lots of play and praise. Really praise your dog when she is gentle. The more you purposefully have your hands in (or near) her mouth the better.

This is something that you will need to work on for a while and will see results but not immediate ones, just keep at it and be consistent.

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posted 05-06-2003 09:42 PM         

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JP's idea is good, another thing you might try is redirecting her biting from your skin ont a more appropriate item, like a toy. When she starts mouthing you, calmly say "No" or "No bite", then provide the acceptable item, and as soon as she takes it, praise/pet like crazy. She'll quickly learn that mouthing gets her nothing, but that when she gets excited (that's when she's most likely to mouth you), grabbing a toy will get her the attention she wants. Plus, even if she did still want to mouth at first, she can't with a toy stuffed in her mouth. Our new dog is VERY mouthy, and this behavior was allowed (even encouraged) by her former owner, so it's been really hard to break her of. After three months, we've gotten her to the point where when she starts to get excited, either she'll grab a toy and bring it to someone, or we'll just point and say "get your toy" before she starts mouthing, and she'll go get it.

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posted 05-08-2003 08:56 PM           

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Thanks for the prompt help & great suggestions...this board has already been very helpful with my new little one!

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