When will my golden retriever puppy learn to have a soft mouth?

Question

My female golden retriever puppy (3 months old) loves biting everything, especially my hand and trust me, it hurts! Whenever she tries to bite me im trying to remove her mouth from my hand and shout "NO!" but then she wants to bite me even more! When will she learn to have a soft mouth?

Answer 1

You need to Yelp first when bitten, then say no and walk away from the dog.  This is what her litter mates and mother would have done.  They have to learn how hard it is that inflicts pain.

Another technique is to give a time out.  Do the yelp, say no and then put the pup in a safe, but confined area (I used our 1/2 bath) for just a few minutes.  Do not pay attention to her when you let her out.  Be really nice to her when she is playing nicely with you!

Answer 2

1. She's a puppy.. pups do this.  She doesn't know what "NO!" means.  Keep your hands away from her face and avoid the situation.  When she does nip...try yipping loudly like a pup in pain and then ignoring her for a few minutes.  Give her other things to chew on.. tell her she's a good girl when she doesn't nip.

2. She'll only have a soft mouth if she is BRED TO.  Backyard bred and petstore pups are unlikely to be "soft-mouthed".  If you got her from someone who hunts or who shows their dogs you may have better luck.

3.  This would be a GREAT question for your breeder.  A responsible, reputable breeder would be willing to help you.

4.  How long it continues really does depend a lot upon how old you got her as a puppy.  Pups learn bite inhibition from their littermates.  If she left her littermates younger than 8-9 weeks this biting stage will be longer (and harder).

Answer 3

You need to say "ow" or any word like a dogs yelp. If you do this properly the dog should either pull away or start l*****g the area. You need to stop playing with her when she bites you. Ignore her attempts to continue to play with you. You are the pack leader and need to show her that when you say no, you mean no. This goes for everything. You need to show her straight away that you're boss.  

Answer 4

Hold her muzzle when she does and say no thats how i taught mine

Answer 5

side track her like shove a toy in her mouth i had that problem with my english mastiff and he is only 11 weeks and doesn't bite me.

Answer 6

Your dog understands the word "Gentle". Say this each time if you speak this word softly.This works!

Be patient and remember the dog  hears the volume level in your voice and may mistake this for play.

P.S.Get him a chew toy, thick rope or a tough rubber toy.  

Answer 7

yes, all puppies bite hard, you really do have to train it out of them.  I have never had any luck with the yelping, so if it does not work try grabbing her around the snout and holding her mouth closed for a few seconds.  Also, when playing always have a toy to keep her away from your hands, if she is too rough stop playing and walk away.  So long as you keep it up they all learn.

Answer 8

She is teething and needs to chew.  But, there are things that I have been taught to do to train our pup to leave people and other things out of her mouth.

I have a mouthy 4 month old Collie and this is what I do and it seems to be working...

I yelp "Ouch" everytime I feel her teeth on me and then I get up and walk away and I have everyone in the family do it, too.  She is slowly, but surely, getting the message that teeth on a people is not a good thing.

As for chewing on other things, when I catch her, I exchange what she is chewing for one of her chew toys.  She is never left alone because she would destroy what ever she could get her teeth on!