Congratulation on your new dog! This is an exciting time for both of you. If you take the time to teach your new dog some manners, your relationship will be happy for years to come.
Dog training tips: how to stop mouthingMouthing is natural for dogs, but they can be trained that it is not always the way humans prefer to communicate.
Puppies learn by feeling things in their mouths. You can consider your puppy’s mouth to be very similar to our hands for learning purposes. Puppies express a lot with their mouths and one hard habit to break them of is mouthing. Every puppy mouths and some mouth more than others. There a few simple tricks that you can teach your dog so that your time together is fun.
The first thing you can try to stop your dog from mouthing is to verbally command your dog when it occurs. A stern “no bites” or some similar phrase will help them to associate their biting with your command. Dogs need a clear signal from you in order to associate their actions with your words. Always use the same words for your command so your dog will see the connection. As you clearly state your command, you can gently remove your dog’s mouth from wherever they are biting you. Young puppies have very short attention spans so be patient as your puppy grows and know that this command will eventually click in their head. If you command your puppy not to bite and they stop, it is a good idea to celebrate and praise or play with them. “Good no bites” or something similar will help to learn that they get more attention when they don’t bite than when they do.
Another way to stop your dog from mouthing is to buy a spray called “Bitter Apple” and spray it on whatever they are chewing on that they should not be. Spray the “Bitter Apple” when the puppy is not looking or doesn’t associate you with the spray. If they are chewing your couch after your sprayed it, they will simply think that the couch tastes yucky and will not chew it anymore.
It also helps to have specific chew toys for your dog. As you guide your dog with a “No bites” command, you can also reward them by providing a toy specifically for them to chew and say something to the effect of “play with your toys”. If you can use positive reinforcement, your dog will be much more responsive. After a while, your dog will learn what is okay to mouth and what should not be chewed.
If you have a problem dog that doesn’t seem to get it, you can spray “Bitter Apple” directly in their mouth as you catch them in the act. A really stern “No bites” should be associated with this spray. Most dogs hate the taste and will learn quickly from this. You can also take some vinegar with water and put it in a spray bottle to accomplish the same effect. Be very careful not to spray this into the eyes of your dog. After awhile, you can simply pick up the bottle when your dog is mouthing and they will stop because they know that the taste is not pleasant and they recognize the bottle.
Be very patient in trying to train your dog. They need clear guidance from humans in order to learn. Occupying your dog’s brain and keeping him/her socially active is also a good idea to help curb a “mouther”. Many times, chewing or mouthing can simply be a sign of boredom in dogs. Keep this in mind and try to engage your dog and involve them in your life. A happy dog is one that listens better and minds their manners well. Most of all, enjoy your furry friend and treat them well.
Be Your Pet Dog's Best Friend
To have a really great relationship with your pet dog, you need to work on that relationship constantly. It's not enough to build a few foundations and expect your relationship to blossom with little or no extra effort. Time spent reinforcing the bond between you and your pet dog is time well spent, and will enrich your relatonship providing you both with the fun and rewards that pet dog ownership brings.
Make sure that you spend quality time with your pet dog. As pet dog owners we are all aware of the need to exercise and train your pet dog. The time spent on these activities will vary according to your pet dogs needs, however, this time should be rewarding and enjoyable for your pet dog. When walking with your pet dog, make sure that you talk and interact with your pet dog. Play a game of fetch or chase. All pet dogs love to chase, and taking an active role in this game will not only keep you fit, but will help you engage with your pet dog in a fun and simple way.
Be animated when you communicate with your pet dog. During the day, your pet dog will hear you converse with many different people, either on the phone or in person, and will generally filter out most of the conversation. With your tone of voice you can communicate to your pet dog that something is interesting or fun, or that something is undesirable or naughty.pet Dogs have extremely sensitive hearing and are very much attuned to your moods and tone of voice, use this to your advantage. Attract your pet dogs attention by using a friendly voice that is slightly higher pitched than your normal speaking voice.
Never forget the importance of physical contact. When your pet dog is near, make the effort to stroke their head or neck and talk in a soothing voice. If you are in the park, and your pet dog bounds over to you, make a fuss of them, make being near you a rewarding experience for your pet dog. This will not only reinforce the bond you and your pet dog have, but it will also aid recall. If you have problems recalling your pet dog, practice this when they are off the lead. Several times during the walk, call your pet dog to you and reward them for coming with a treat or a cuddle, and then let them carry on with what they were doing. If you only recall your pet dog when they are naughty or to put them on the lead, your dog will associate punishment or the end of the walk with coming when called. If you have been out, greet your pet dog properly when your return - being away from you is never enjoyable for your pet dog. Make the time to cuddle or play a quick game to celebrate your return. This is very natural for pet dogs, they will do this to other pet dogs they know and like, so this behaviour is something they understand.
Ask yourself, if you were your pet dog, would you enjoy the time you spend together. Try to be fun for your pet dog. We all have busy days, bad days and sad days, but your dog relies upon you to provide the love and support it needs, and will give you loyalty and friendship in return. Your pet dog doesn't need or understand your stress, but they are affected by it. On a bad day, make a point of having a game or cuddling with your pet dog, and you'll probably find it helps you too.
By: Jane EarleyAuthor Bio
Make sure that you spend quality time with your pet dog. As pet dog owners we are all aware of the need to exercise and train your pet dog. The time spent on these activities will vary according to your pet dogs needs, however, this time should be rewarding and enjoyable for your pet dog. When walking with your pet dog, make sure that you talk and interact with your pet dog. Play a game of fetch or chase. All pet dogs love to chase, and taking an active role in this game will not only keep you fit, but will help you engage with your pet dog in a fun and simple way.
Be animated when you communicate with your pet dog. During the day, your pet dog will hear you converse with many different people, either on the phone or in person, and will generally filter out most of the conversation. With your tone of voice you can communicate to your pet dog that something is interesting or fun, or that something is undesirable or naughty.pet Dogs have extremely sensitive hearing and are very much attuned to your moods and tone of voice, use this to your advantage. Attract your pet dogs attention by using a friendly voice that is slightly higher pitched than your normal speaking voice.
Never forget the importance of physical contact. When your pet dog is near, make the effort to stroke their head or neck and talk in a soothing voice. If you are in the park, and your pet dog bounds over to you, make a fuss of them, make being near you a rewarding experience for your pet dog. This will not only reinforce the bond you and your pet dog have, but it will also aid recall. If you have problems recalling your pet dog, practice this when they are off the lead. Several times during the walk, call your pet dog to you and reward them for coming with a treat or a cuddle, and then let them carry on with what they were doing. If you only recall your pet dog when they are naughty or to put them on the lead, your dog will associate punishment or the end of the walk with coming when called. If you have been out, greet your pet dog properly when your return - being away from you is never enjoyable for your pet dog. Make the time to cuddle or play a quick game to celebrate your return. This is very natural for pet dogs, they will do this to other pet dogs they know and like, so this behaviour is something they understand.
Ask yourself, if you were your pet dog, would you enjoy the time you spend together. Try to be fun for your pet dog. We all have busy days, bad days and sad days, but your dog relies upon you to provide the love and support it needs, and will give you loyalty and friendship in return. Your pet dog doesn't need or understand your stress, but they are affected by it. On a bad day, make a point of having a game or cuddling with your pet dog, and you'll probably find it helps you too.
By: Jane EarleyAuthor Bio
Aug 22, 2008
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