Hi, Our pup (beagle) is nearly 6 months old and has started snapping at us. Not snapping as trying to hurt but if he has been out playing in the garden and is excited, if you go to pet him he will follow your hand and put his mouth on your skin he never bites or breaks skin or hurts you but i am a bit worried as why he would want to do this now. His temprement is excellent and is from very good parents. He is reaching sexual maturity and is trying to hump everything in sight, dont know if this is the cause or if he is playing.
If he is sitting beside me watching tv he is fine, it is only when he has been playing outside, which has increased a lot with the better weather. Any advice would be welcomed.

David.

Hi David,
Just because your puppy is mounting everything in sight, it doesn't mean it's anything to do with sexual maturity. It sounds to me as if he's just showing his dominance, especially as he is mouthing as well which he shouldn't be doing at 6 months (that is definitely a sign of a dog wanting to be dominant). You will have to make it clear to him that he is not the top dog here, as I think he is testing you for leadership!
Hilda

He has only started this mouthing recently, he went through all the usual puppy traits when we first got him but learned not to bite or mouth really quick, its only in the last 2 weeks he has started this. as i said when he is sitting nice and calm he is fine its only if he is excited or has been running around in the garden for a while. he knows who is boss in the house he will push his luck but knows when to stop. The only other thing that has changed in his life is my brother in law brings down his staffy bitch who has been in heat lately, i dont know. I will start the dominance training again from scratch and see if that helps.

David.

David,

Any reason why you just can't tell your pup "no" as soon as he starts to go for your hand? And then withdraw your hand immediately.

The reason why he's decided why mouthing is really not important, if he tends to do this when he's playing and excited he is probably just trying to get you to play like he'd like you to do. A rough and tumble.

Stacey

We do tell him no, he gets so excited that he doesnt listen, he has selective deafness just like my kids. The only thing that does stop him is being placed away from us for a couple of minutes. its not so much of a problem as he is not hurting anybody, i just dont think it is acceptable behaviour for him to do this. he stopped mouthing ages ago but suddenly has started again. i do and will keep pressing on with the basics, no, move hand, ignore and place toy in dogs mouth etc.

David.

David , if he had stopped and has now started again , it does sound like he is trying it on ;) I would say carry on exactly as you are....be consistant with him and don't let him get away with it :)

Melody :)

I agree with Melody. You might think one day your dog is behaving fine, and then suddenly his behaviour changes again - you've got to realise that often dogs (esp young ones) will keep testing you, and if you don't nip the unwanted behaviour in the bud, he will think he has won and that he is the leader.

Thanks for all your help and advice, i will keep on going with the methods i have been using.

thanks,
David.

I have a 7 month old beagle bitch. She used to mouth alot and still does a little bit during training especially if she is excited. They aren't the easiest dogs to train and that is not due to lack of brains like some people say. I find mine is very intelligent and i think that is the problem. Like other people have said consistency is vital. They don't forget what youv'e taught them but they will try it on with you at any given opportunity. When were at training class we do alot of heel work etc. using treats, and she nibbles my hand as she knows where the treats are. The best thing to do is ignore them and as long as its not hurting you, still try to ignore them, the second they stop doing it, reward them with a treat. This is the only thing that has worked for me and shes really good now and only does it occasionally. I find that rewarding for good behaviour rather than shouting and taking the dog on works alot quicker.