Teaching to Accept Handling Without Mouthing
If your puppy is too excited when being touched, start at a time when your puppy is calm. Try long, slow, gentle strokes – just for a few seconds then stop. Gradually increase the duration (a few seconds at a time) until you can stroke all parts of the body. Have a soft toy or a food toy (such as a stuffed Kong) ready. If they start to mouth during any of this process redirect towards a toy, if that is unsuccessful, give them short break.
If your puppy is concerned about being handled, proceed as above, but start with 1 second only. Pair the touching with one hand and treat from the other hand. Ensure that your puppy can move away at any time i.e. don’t hold your puppy on your lap, as this prevents them from getting away. You want your puppy to choose to be near you!
How to Manage Your Overexcited Puppy
If your puppy falls into the category of over excited and is bouncing around and grabbing anything they can get their mouth on, and you have had several attempts to redirect to a toy or chew, the next step is to manage the choices your puppy can make.
Place your puppy with an appropriate chew in a low stimulus space i.e. crate, play pen, laundry etc. After 30 seconds give them the opportunity to try again. This is a crucial step in learning what is right. Be prepared to repeat the process to help them make good choices.
Please remember not to let your puppy become distressed i.e. by leaving them in a confined space for too long without something to do.
But it Seems to Get Worse...
Be aware, that if your puppy has practiced this behaviour for a while and you suddenly change your approach, you will much likely see a temporary increase in the behaviour (extinction burst). This is expected! Don’t give up and be persistent - you are on the right track!
Don't Overreact!
If you scream, yell, squeal, push your puppy away or say ‘No’, it might not only heighten your puppy’s arousal (which makes you seem like a human squeaky toy), but it will confuse them and doesn’t teach them what you do want them to do, which is to mouth/bite the toy instead.