Q: Is it a problem if my young dog ‘mouths’ visitors? Should I discourage his behaviour?
A: Meeting visitors can be an exciting event for dogs, especially younger ones. Although mouthing is most commonly seen in puppies, adult dogs may also engage in this behaviour if they are feeling stressed or excited.
Mouthing can be described as a dog putting his teeth and mouth over a person’s skin while using little or no pressure from his jaw. It’s not to be mistaken for actual biting, which is done out of fear or frustration.
I would recommend discouraging this behaviour, as the longer it continues the more your dog will believe that this is an acceptable way of greeting people. This can be done by teaching your dog an alternative and more acceptable way to manage the excitement of greeting visitors that is more rewarding than mouthing.
The easiest way to do this is to teach your dog to sit when greeting visitors. Immediately reward the sit with a treat and praise.
Be consistent and patient with this and you should soon see a new, more polite way of greeting in place.
Alyson Kingsley Hall, behaviourist
