As you may know, I have a six and a half month old Golden Retriever. He learnt when he was about 3 1/2 to 4 months old that he should not mouth us. Recently, however, he has started to jump up at me in particular and grab at my sleeves. This often pinches through to my arms and can be a bit uncomfortable. However, he will not let his teeth touch my flesh. Even during these wild moments, if I offer my hand or sleeveless arm, he backs away. These moments have happened once a day for the last few days. I tell him 'no' in no uncertain terms, which worked well when he was younger, but seems to have lost effect now.
He has plenty of things to chew on.
When it happened on Wed evening, we were at our first silver good citizen class. The trainer had just said how we had spent one week in bronze before graduating to silver (I just knew that would be a cue to misbehave :rolleyes: ).

I thought we had passed this stage as a younger puppy. Why has he started again? And more importantly, how can I stop him?

TIA

Sarah

I am not an experienced trainer and others may have much better advice - but how about wearing only your oldest gardening jacket for a while and smearing the cuffs with something nasty like chilli sauce? If he gets a nasty taste when he does it - it may stop him?

Thanks for your reply WL. However, he loves chilli sauce - I tried that when he was younger :D I've found that lemon juice works much better.
I forgot to mention in my original post that he does the same thing on the *very rare* occasion that I wear a pair of gardening gloves.

I could give the suggestion a try. Any other ideas, anyone?

Sarah

Mine do it even now sarah.

Today I had a fleece on and Sam (3) towed me down the path ;) It was the direction I wanted to go and the speed I wanted to - he just likes to hold on. He is gentle with it and I find it quite endearing as he doesn't hurt.

Pheebs though is rougher but she stops as soon as told NO!

They both have a thing about gloves as well ;)

It must be a breed thing

SaraW :)

My Harry is exactly the same! He still holds my hand to take me where he thinks I want to go - sometimes he even gets it right! As it is very gentle and doesn't hurt in the slightest, and lets go when I tell him to, I'm not bothered.

He also thinks gloves are very wrong, and need to be removed, and as for sleeves pulled down over your hands... Not right! Hands need to be visible at all times!
:)

So you think it's nothing to worry about then? Because it's not really a gentle thing. He's trying to play tug with my clothes (often a fleece as you said, Sara). Last time he did it, his top lip curled up as he growled (that doesn't happen when we play tug). Saying 'no' or 'ah-ah' which usually works, have no effect. I either leave the room or put him in the porch for a few moments. When we are reunited again, he is fine. I'm sure he's trying to tell me something, but I don't get what it is. I'm not up to speed in dog-speak yet :)

Sarah

Sarah it is hard to say how he means it but mine don't curl lip at the same time. they will try to tug a bit but not usually and an ah-ah works to stop them if they get a bit too carried away.

I'll be honest (and perhaps get stick for it) but if I was uncomfortable with it he would know in no uncertain terms.
When he did it and a usual no didn't work I'd grab his scruff with my other hand and pull him off while shouting NO very loudly. I know this type of reaction may be frowned upon by some but it's not something I've found has to be repeated more than a couple of times ( if not just the once) for them to learn how fed up you are with them.
You know him better than anyone Sarah - if you are at all uncomfortable with that and how you think he may react then don't do it but it has worked for me and madam who tested me a few times over diff things (at about Dylans age)

Each dog is diff - Sam never needed anything like that - say boo to him and he'd panic. Phoe though is alot more pushy and needs a firmer voice and attitude at times - same breed but very diff personalities.

Have a word with his breeder (bitch or stud) Sarah about how they'd react - they know their lines and personalities and I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help. If you are uncomfortable with it then it needs nipping in the bud - much easier to deal with now than later.

Keep me posted

SaraW :)

Thanks for the reply.
He did it again today. I was crouching down organising the bedding in his crate and he jumped on my back. I stood up and he carried on at my jumper. He tries to grab it in his mouth, while wrapping his legs around my leg. Then there is a bit of mounting of my leg :rolleyes: but his tail was wagging. So I'm hoping it's just teenage behaviour???
I have used the technique of grabbing either side of his head, below his ears, on the loose mane and saying/growling/shouting 'no'. The breeder recommended this to me. Most of the time, this works, but not when he's in this jumping up mood. I may have to shout louder :)

I guess I was just after a bit of reassurance that it was nothing too serious. I will put a stop to it one way or another.

Thanks again,

Sarah

You poor thing we are bringing are golden retriever pup home in 7 weeks i guess i have all the fun to come!!