Play Biting

Ria & Hannah · #1 30-11-2008, 11:46 AM

Hi All,

I was wondering if this was a problem at all. My partner Rob plays with Hannah around the house and one of her favourite things to do is pretend bite. She doesn't bite as such, she justs puts her mouth round your hand or your foot, and is obvioulsy just being playful. I don't mind it, and Rob obviously doesn't. She's not hurthing and if she ever does get too boystrous we say a loud and stern no and she stops and reverts back to light contact. Should we maybe not encourage this type of play? x x x x

Ria & Hannah · #2 30-11-2008, 05:51 PM

Just writing a little note to get it back on the homepage, as it disappeared, due to a busy forum. x x x

LOVEGSD · #3 01-12-2008, 08:41 AM

Hello

I personally don't allow any sort of play where Diesel would "bite" your skin.....I appreciate when you say she doesn't bite hard but I don't think it's good to allow them to put their teeth on you, my worry would be how does she know who she can do this to and who she can't??

Diesel knows he can't do this and even if you tried to encourage him to do it he would run off and get his toy because he knows he can bite/mouth that.

Lynn
x

GypsyGSD · #4 01-12-2008, 10:16 AM

I would agree with lynn, I would not allow play biting, mouthing it may seem fine when they are young but biting when full grown not a good idea lol

Mutthouse · #5 01-12-2008, 10:40 AM

I would agree too - it would be hard for a dog to distinguish in a gentle bite for a adult and a much gentler one for a softer childs skin and thats the sort of accident you really wouldn't want to happen. She sounds like a great dog but I would encourage her to have a bite toy instead. My mums old gsd would pick up her beanbag bed and run round killing it. xx

Ria & Hannah · #6 01-12-2008, 07:10 PM

Lol. Hannah has killed many a toy and for the first time ever found one of my bra's last night and killed that too.

So I'll encourage her to bite the toy when she gets into play biting mode? She plays without doing it most of the time, but Rob gets her more excited when he plays with her and thats when she does it. I tend to push her nose away and say no when she does it to me. But Robs not so strict. I shall have to be strict with him! x x x

Mutthouse · #7 01-12-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria & Hannah

Lol. Hannah has killed many a toy and for the first time ever found one of my bra's last night and killed that too.

So I'll encourage her to bite the toy when she gets into play biting mode? She plays without doing it most of the time, but Rob gets her more excited when he plays with her and thats when she does it. I tend to push her nose away and say no when she does it to me. But Robs not so strict. I shall have to be strict with him! x x x

I have found that reward based reinforcement works very well for men who would otherwise find training very hard.

LOVEGSD · #8 02-12-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mutthouse

I have found that reward based reinforcement works very well for men who would otherwise find training very hard.

lol..good idea, otherwise encourage a time out for hubby

Wooferhound · #9 02-12-2008, 12:48 PM

I don't encourage mouthing at all, along with rough play, however much we 'think' we can withstand, it only takes one time for us to feel real pain, of which a dog can take far greater than we can, for the situation to escalate and the dog be told off for something that has been allowed, too much contradiction and confusion to be a success!

I would definitely go with encouraging a toy, I would never say No, because this isn't a good enough association for dogs, and as said, if you allow with one and someone else doesn't want it, it is confusing etc.

With my pups if they get too mouthy I encourage 'kissing', so once the tongue comes out they get praise, though I don't encourage too much licking either, that can become a real pain for other people too! I just use it to prevent further mouthing issues really, works for me!

Best bet is a toy and interaction with praise I'd say!

Good luck

Jo
x

number6 · #10 05-12-2008, 08:21 PM

Had this problem myself.Used the command STOP as soon as it starts and then ignore the dog till he gave up.Then praise.Incidentally,is there a time when a Shepherds ears stay up or does it vary?Diesel is 6 months old and they're up one day then down the next.He's got a full set of adult teeth too.