Dogs and Puppies Mouthing

In my job, I have spent thousands and thousands of hours socializing puppies and older dogs. One thing that people do all the time, especially with puppies is that they stick their fingers in the puppies’ mouths and allow the pup to mouth or lightly bite on them.  It doesn’t matter what breed the puppy is, they still stick their fingers in the puppy’s mouth.  

So, what is wrong with this?  There are several reasons this is simply one of the WORST things you can allow a puppy to do!  

First, puppies, as they become adults will do the behaviors they learned first when they are stressed.  If one of those behaviors is allowed to happen, especially during the first 16 weeks, then the puppy is so much more likely to put their mouth on someone when they are stressed – whether the stress is good or bad stress.  This sets the puppy up for failure as an adult.  When an adult dog decides to use his mouth (it doesn’t matter how gently or how hard), it can become a liability.  

Now, imagine, you own a large breed dog, maybe one that is known for protection such as Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Great Pyrenees, Akitas, Giant Schnauzers, or even cattle dogs.  Someone who is afraid of dogs comes near or visits your home.  The dog might, in greeting put their mouth on that person simply because they have been allowed to. What you see as a friendly gesture, is interpreted as an aggressive bite by the stranger.

Now imagine you have a little dog – Beagle, Westie, Poodle, Ooddle mix.  It doesn’t matter what breed. The same thing happens.  Now you find yourself in the midst of a law suit or a fine and your dog is labeled a vicious dog.

It really doesn’t matter what breed you own, if a dog’s mouth is on someone, it can and most likely WILL be misinterpreted as aggression and a bite by someone.

Secondly, a dog that is allowed to put their mouth on someone as a puppy will do that behavior in the midst of severe or even light stress.  Imagine you take your dog to the vet and the dog is stressed because the vet needs to restrain them for an IV.  What happens?  Your dog if far more likely to use their mouth to resist and get what they want – which is to be released.  Then the vet muzzles your dog and your dog now has a bad experience with the vet.  It’s an endless cycle.

What does mouthing mean?  Many times, it is just play, as a dog would do with another dog.  HOWEVER, it is NOT respectful to a human.  A dog should not play with a human as he would with another dog.  Many people do not see the problem with this.  People WANT to play with their dog.  In that case, there are many OTHER ways to play with a dog that do NOT involve a dog mouth on the human.  Catch, retrieving, hunting for food in the grass, hunting for items like wallets, even short sessions of teaching obedience and tricks can greatly enrich the owner/dog relationship and no mouth is involved.

I always ask people, “What if my 90 lb German Shepherd put his mouth on you, how would you feel?” No one ever answers that they would like it.  There is no difference in a German Shepherd mouthing you or a tiny Pomeranian.  Stop mouthing dead in its tracks and encourage other forms of play to keep your dog happy and safe throughout it’s life!

Caption:  

Teach puppies early that putting their mouth on people is not okay.  It doesn’t matter what breed you own.