Zoomie

Hi, Thanks so much! This sounds like a bit more clever thinking on my part in terms of providing more entertaining "tricks" to do than mouth my hands, and also that same old thing of persistence and perseverance. Sometimes it's just good to know this! Thanks very much!

Hello everyone, I've got an pretty active and boisterous golden retriever. He has taught me a lot as he grew, with my training shifting very rapidly to rewarding calm behaviour! He has done well and continues to do so with patience and perseverance. I am not able however to get rid of his mouthing behaviour! From a puppy I employed the "yelp" and then ignore (as in stop dead and look away, or get up and leave - taking toy with me). He does not seem to be testing any boundaries (IMHO) it's just he's always licking at hands and mouthing fingers. Licking has decreased substantially with more focus on calm and re-directing and considering just how bad he was with licking I'm very happy with the progress, but the mouthing is frustrating because of course, when things go up a notch on the playtime-active-THROWTHEBALL-scale accidents happen, knuckles get grazed or squashed quite badly against/between teeth! It is my opinion that if a mother dog can gently carry her puppies without harming them, then he should be able to play more carefully with people. Another part of me however feels that maybe time will help and can I expect such a boisterous dog to keep his head about him when he's hyped up playing? I do not encourage playing with my hands, but if any "hands on" play is initiated he is quick to mouth your hands, or feet etc. If there is a toy, likewise he's quick to push this toy at your body parts and get all mouth n' face into you. I also do not encourage hyper playing, or revving up - he does that of his own accord, and I'm quick to end games that get too "silly". He gets walked every day, for about 30-40mins, most walks have an off the leash period of running about with our other dog. Some walks I take a toy, some walks I jog the whole way and some walks are lazy human outings to the dog park! He has allergies to foods, we're currently not in a financial situation to test out what he is allergic to exactly (this is because when we get it wrong the poor guy needs antibiotics) but this does mean he does not get bones to chew on, not even raw hide or nylon. We do give him plastic toys to "dismantle" and he eats sticks all the time, I mention this because I wondered if maybe it as just an over-active mouth and more chewing would help him? I overheard someone at the vet saying that Golden Retrievers, being gun dogs retrieving birds - were more mouthy? Not sure why? Would be interesting if any G.R owners could shed any light on this? Finally, now he is 2 years old, and still I remove hands away when playing, I yelp/squeal/shriek when I get even a tiny graze, and he does respond by stopping... but then quickly starting again, then I would get up and end the game. I would love some help of how to stop the mouthing, if anyone has any opinion or advice to help shed light on this I'd be very grateful. Apart from anything else it's so gross to watch him eat chicken poop (apparently not allergic to that!) run inside, you pat him to say a quick hi and ew, your hand has been mouthed! Thanks again :)