My flatcoat bitch puppy is now 24 weeks old. Despite the usual over-exuberance she is doing extremely well in her training in all aspects. However there are a couple of things I would appreciate some advice on. The main problem is she is still mouthing a lot ( mainly people she is greeting ). As she is now developing her adult teeth and we are intending to show her shortly we obviously need to control this. We do seem to keep being given differing advice. When she was very small we followed all the advice in Gwen Bailey's book (plus others). Can anyone suggest anything please?
Our second problem is the flatcoat exuberance when greeting people (linked into the mouthing problem).I obviously do not want to encourage jumping up or the mouthing. Should I try to insist that she sits before getting attention(very difficult with a flatcoat) or should I ask people not to fuss her until she is calmer (which could conflict with the need for socialisation with as many people as possible). All advice appreciated.

Flatcoats will be flatcoats, I'm afraid.   Our old Barti (long since departed) picked up the V.A.T. inspector by the arm  (he was only a little man) and practically carried him indoors on one occasion.    Needless to say, the V.A.T. inspection didn't take very long - he was carried out again quickly.

Flatcoats are a working breed -most need to have something in their mouths.   Maybe you could harness this need , and start on retrieving lessons of some sort (John can help you here).

Jumping up - well they do it, don't they?   When I used to train 'competition' obedience retrieves, I actually rather liked the dog jumping up to me - they're not going to put the article down.   You get a nice fast recall, which you can moderate later.    I acknowledge that it can be a nuisance  - usually if you look the other way and put your hands behind your back they'll calm down, and treat when they're sitting.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

I took "The Mighty Star", Larksdown Quartz at Fenstorm off his bench at the Three Counties Showground a few years ago, to give him a little walk round while his owner was tied up on the rescue stand. He held my hand all the wak round the walk! I might as well not have had him on a lead. As Jo says, they do love to hold things! Even if you are not seriously interested in gundog work you need to occupy his mind and training something such as gundog work would certainly keep him busy.

Regards, John

When I get home from work my 3 year old bitch rushes out, grabs me by the hand and literally leads me into the kitchen!!  My 11 year old dog will still jump on the kitchen table if he gets the chance.  The two in between - aged 5 and 6 respectively bounce and launch themselves through the air.  This is all Flatcoat nature.

Flatcoats are bouncy, they do jump up, they lick and they rush around because everything has to be done yesterday - if not the day before.

Have you got lots of toys for your puppy.  Our dogs love toys and even the 11 year old will sort through the toy box.  I know people say that toys make dogs hard mouthed but I DON'T subscribe to this theory - none of our dogs - )who all go out picking up at least twice a week) - have ever been hard mouthed.

Becky

Just had a quick count, Anna has 14! It's not the toys, its what you do with them that can cause problems.

Regards, John

well at the moment blue going around with a teatowel in her mouth,she try to mouth me at times and jump up at work top too,it the age that she going though,1 is she losting her teeth,2 the jumping up is a thing most dog will do but you just have to be firm but kind and the word we use is off,not no,it a new game with them and they dont know what right and wrong at the age it the owner that has to put it across to the puppy.

blue is 5 month on 25th,

John.................:-0

Jo

I think a flatcoat that doesn't jump up isnt a proper flatcoat! I quite like dogs to jump up at me, especially when they are someone elses! ;-) I often find dogs like that the most straightforward to train and most enthusiastic about their work.

She's my little Flower Jo! ;)