Puppy Mouthing And Jumping In Backyard Only

[Yogi.]

Hi,

Long time reader, first time poster. I have found this site very useful and appreciate everyone's input.

I have an 8 month old male pointer that we are struggling with his mouthing and jumping.

We find that the only place that he displays this behaviour is in our backyard. When he is inside the house he is almost perfect, although he shows an interest in new things and likes to try and roam.

When we let him into our front yard when we are gardening he is relaxed and does his own thing. When we are down the park off the lead or walking on the lead he is fine. I can only assume this is because there are other more interesting distractions at these locations??

I'm concerned we have done something in our training to reward this behaviour in the back yard. At present his mouthing is met with a firm 'STOP' (I find that he will stop chewing on most occasions but not take his mouth off) and then we leave the yard, the problem with this is that we might be 15 metres from the back door when we want to isolate him. This walk to the backdoor almost becomes a game in itself for him has he tries to continue to mouth us. Once inside I will leave him for 30 seconds then re-enter the yard. Interestingly, we have a sunroom adjoining the backdoor and I don't recall him mouthing me whilst near the door.

I have tried to redirect him to chew on other things but often our shoes, and now that it is summer and i'm wearing thongs, our ankles, are more enticing. His bite strength is reasonably weak but in the occasional moment of madness a nip to the arm or back of the leg still occurs.

As far as the jumping goes, I put that down to excitement and can work on calming that with rewards.

I have asked myself a number of questions as to how we have fostered this behaviour, is it a separation issue because he knows we are going to leave him alone in the yard at some point, is it because he wants us to take him on a walk, is it because he wants me to walk inside so he can chase me, is it because he wants treats because we train him in the backyard....

I hope I've explained my situation clearly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Beckybecbec]

Will be keen to see responses also...

My 7mth old stafford does the same. I have rips in clothes now also thanks to her!

[Dory the Doted One]

Yogi, to you try and stop him before he even starts?

Willow will try it on, but she gives her intentions away all the time. When she gets that cheeky look I usually tell her to sit, and then I'll pat her, very quietly and calmly...more of a stroke really. If she tries to jump on me I will sometimes bump her with my hip as she tries to launch and tell her to sit. I don't make a lot of noise. I make it clear what I want from her and then when she complies she gets a 'Goooooooood'.

I always keep an eye on what she is doing in and around the yard while I'm out there. When she gets too excited or stupid, I'll tell her "AH", which I use as a 'go easy' command or a firm "NO" if she's still ignoring me. BUT I'll always tell her Good when she has complied by settling down, if she looks like she is going into the sillies again, I will redirect into a different behaviour. Like sit or drop, something I know she'll do and I can calmly reward her for.

As I approach my back door, they are told to WAIT and I will stand at the door waiting for the dogs to settle. As I open the door they are told WAIT again because I know my hand on the door knob will cause them to shift and to remind them what they are suppose to be doing. If they aren't going inside then I tell them OUTSIDE. (I've capitilzed my Cue Words rather than " " them, I don't yell the commands, I just speak them in a firm, no room for questioning voice).

I know my dogs are going to want to interact when I'm outside with them, so I plan ahead what my actions and expectations are going to be. That's not to say we dont play in the yard too, we do. But if the behaviour starts to get too boisterious and silly I will stop or I will calm the play doing other things.

Not sure I explained that at all well...but as no one else had responded I'd thought Id give it a crack.

[BlackJaq]

My Weimaraner was pretty mouthy when she was younger. At some point she actually ran up behind me and grabbed me right on the butt, which my OH found hilarious... Mot helpful in any way

I'm trying to remember exactly how we combated the issue... Does your dog know what "NO" means? What do you do to discourage him from other things you don't want him to do?

I think that if you are going to disengage in that situation you might be better off turning your back, folding your arms (to keep your hands out of reach) and simply ignoring him, rather than trying to walk away (which he seems to think is part of the game!). This is easier when they are small, because then they cannot reach your butt (yet) :laugh:

If you know you can provoke the situation, I would leash him and when he goes to mouth you put your foot on the leash (leash must be short enough so he pretty much has to sit or lie down and he is thereby limited in what he can do/reach). Say "No" in a calm but firm voice and simply keep your foot on the leash whilst ignoring him until he stops trying to grab you. As soon as he relents, take your foot off, praise and reward and go back to playing or whatever you were doing.

I don't think it came to this for us as we had "No" pretty firmly installed by a young age and "No" meant "cease whatever you are doing right now" basically. So I think standing still with hands tucked away and a firm "No" was enough for us in the end.. This was a few years ago now though, so maybe someone else will be able to offer alternatives :)

Edited December 12, 2013 by BlackJaq

[The Spotted Devil]

I find that persistent nippers lap up the inadvertent attention that results when you chastise them. My golden rule is Ignore, Ignore, Ignore. If you can turn your back and walk away, great - also super helpful if you start to train this whilst someone else holds a lead. If not, get up on a chair or table out of their reach. Set it up and practice when you have time rather than dealing with it on the run when you are busy. Add distractions like food and squeaky toys. Work on other impulse control games away from the issue (using food and/or tug). Video what is going on too - it's amazing how people don't realise that they are inadvertently rewarding the behaviour....I will often (with permission!) physically move a client towards and away from a jumping dog to show them the timing. I don't want to have a battle of wills or strength with a dog - I set them up so they have 2 choices and they quickly learn to make the "correct" choice voluntarily.

Edited December 12, 2013 by The Spotted Devil

[tdierikx]

My 15 month old Dane cross does the same thing... until I get to the poo bucket and tongs (which is located right up the back of the yard) - funny how I'm not as attractive a chew toy when I have a bucket of poop in my hand... *sigh*

Getting back to the house after finishing the poo patrol is also fraught with dangerous jumping and mouthing by said feral horse puppy. Nothing I've tried has stopped the behaviour - chastising and ignoring don't work, she's intent on using me as a chew toy. And like your pup, she ONLY does it in the back yard.

I'm hoping she will just grow out of it... maybe when she grows another brain cell or two?

T.

[sas]

Reward the behaviour you want before the negative behaviour starts.

[tdierikx]

Ummm... might be a little late for that now sas... the cheeky sod starts it as soon as I make for the back door...

She's fine once i have got to the poo bucket and start the poo patrol, or when I start the mower and use it - it's just when I want to get to anywhere in the back yard that she makes it a bit hard. I pretty much ignore it as much as one can when they have a Dane cross trying to chew their feet or pants with every step... slow progress... lol!

T.

[Yogi.]

Thanks for all of your advice.

We consulted a behavioural specialist and they spent some time with us to help him to control his excitement.

We used a combination of correction and rewards. He has now realised that he doesn't need to go crazy to get our attention.

Cheers.

[persephone]

:) good news !