[WorriedMom]

I've finally taught my guy what hurts and what doesn't when he uses his mouth. He has started being really gentle. The next thing I want to do is slowly get him to stop using his mouth to communicate with me all together....

What is the best way to teach a puppy/dog this??? A lot of people I know are afraid of dogs.... (including my parents a little)... especially when he starts to open his mouth, even though I tell them he won't hurt them, he is just playing.

So I do want to teach him/slowly get him to stop using his mouth.

Any input is welcome!

[cigwyllt]

I've found this article by Ian Dunbar to be really helpful As well as talking about how to teach bite inhibition (which is what you have done) it explains why they do it and the benefits of having a dog who understands what "gentle" means. In other words if your dog is simply punished for mouthing he never learns the appropriate pressure and is not inhibited in any way if he feels the need to bite.

Puppy Biting | Dog Star Daily

[Todd]

Originally Posted by WorriedMom

I've finally taught my guy what hurts and what doesn't when he uses his mouth. He has started being really gentle. The next thing I want to do is slowly get him to stop using his mouth to communicate with me all together....

What is the best way to teach a puppy/dog this??? A lot of people I know are afraid of dogs.... (including my parents a little)... especially when he starts to open his mouth, even though I tell them he won't hurt them, he is just playing.

So I do want to teach him/slowly get him to stop using his mouth.

Any input is welcome!

What do you mean by using his mouth if you've taught him not to mouth? Do you mean that he still mouths but very softly?

[WorriedMom]

Yes TOdd, I mean he does but very softly.

But, after reading that article in its entirety, I have decided that Iam not at that stage yet.
My puppy still mouths a little harder than he should on occasion, and if he wants something he will do it, or if we are playing and he gets really nto the moment he might.

Also,
he can be very rough with people other than me.

So, I am taking 1 step back from where I thought I was and working from there....

I realized he is VERY stubborn when it comes to the biting hting...and at 3 months he might be behind what that article states.

If anyoen has any experiences other than that please let me know!!

Also, did anyone's pup act out by barking and such when he wnats something?

Mine did that last time when he get mouthy and fter his "timeout" i tried to get him to sit and he just wouldn't and started barking so I would let him throuhg to the living room. I re-put him into hte timeout.... and when he came otu he listened within 2 seconds. Is this him doing it just so he can get his way, or is he beginnign to respect my authorityin that way? After he sat and gave me his paw ("hello") i did a very enthusiastic GOOD BOY !!! GOOD BOY!! NOW LETS GO PLAY!! so he knew i was happy with him.

I just want to be sure I am not simply doing something that has no positive outcome.
He did however, go and quietly play with his toys afterward, which made me think he understood.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by WorriedMom

Yes TOdd, I mean he does but very softly.

But, after reading that article in its entirety, I have decided that Iam not at that stage yet.
My puppy still mouths a little harder than he should on occasion, and if he wants something he will do it, or if we are playing and he gets really nto the moment he might.

Also,
he can be very rough with people other than me.

So, I am taking 1 step back from where I thought I was and working from there....

I realized he is VERY stubborn when it comes to the biting hting...and at 3 months he might be behind what that article states.

If anyoen has any experiences other than that please let me know!!

Also, did anyone's pup act out by barking and such when he wnats something?

Mine did that last time when he get mouthy and fter his "timeout" i tried to get him to sit and he just wouldn't and started barking so I would let him throuhg to the living room. I re-put him into hte timeout.... and when he came otu he listened within 2 seconds. Is this him doing it just so he can get his way, or is he beginnign to respect my authorityin that way? After he sat and gave me his paw ("hello") i did a very enthusiastic GOOD BOY !!! GOOD BOY!! NOW LETS GO PLAY!! so he knew i was happy with him.

I just want to be sure I am not simply doing something that has no positive outcome.
He did however, go and quietly play with his toys afterward, which made me think he understood.

All the methods I know of have already been given. I'd just continue what you're doing byt maybe try a bit more positive reinforcement? Take a slightly different approach. Correct him when he bites/mouthes using the methods that seem to be working best but try and praise him a lot and reward him with a chew toy/treat when he complies. Maybe positive reinforcement as well would help. It's worth a shot! Good luck!