Stop a Dog from Mouthing Your Hands and Arms
Many puppies might wrap their mouths around your arm or your hand as a playful gesture. Although they don't intend any harm, this can be pretty scary to "outsiders" when the puppy grows up to be a dog. By reading this article, you can stop this behavior.
Contents
Steps
- Make the dog think you are hurt. If he mouths you, quickly "yelp" like a puppy would, like you were hurt. Then inspect your hand as if your dog injured you.
- Look away from the dog and ignore him for about ten minutes, while giving him a chew toy or something instead of your arm to chew!
- Lightly dab bitter apple (taste detergent) on your hands. Then call him over.
- Continue with the activity you were doing when your dog mouthed or nipped you.
- Repeat the above steps each and every time his/her mouth touches your skin .
- You can also use other products instead of bitter apple. Anything bitter but not harmful towards the animal.
Tips
- Make sure to wash your hands off after the bitter apple, as if you put your hands in your mouth (ie, eating) .
- It is very important to make behavior corrections as simple and repetitive as you can.
- Correcting a behavior is far more effective than punishing for the behavior.
- The best teachers make lessons fun, simple to understand, and are always fair. Be that kind of teacher to your dog.
Warnings
- Do not do this with aggressive dogs.
