Why Your Dog Won't Stop Mouthing You

Dogs can’t grasp objects with their paws, so they usually rely on their mouth to explore things around them. Often, most dogs grow out of this habit as they get older.

However, some dogs may continue the behavior even in adulthood. Interestingly, there are different reasons behind this behavior. Some of the common possible reasons why your canine companion is mouthing you include:

Playing

Most dogs used mouthing to incite play sessions as puppies. If your dog hasn’t grown out of that habit, they may mouth you whenever they feel the need to play.

Seeking attention

Our furry friends are smart and can differentiate between actions that catch our attention from those that don’t. Your pup may continue mouthing you because you give them attention, whether positive or negative, whenever they do it.

Teething

Dogs nibble on things when teething because the pressure on their teeth and gums can be soothing. If you encourage mouthing instead of having different toys to redirect the behavior during this period, they are likely to continue it.

High Prey Drive

If your dog has a high prey drive, they may feel a need to chase, nip, and mouth everything that moves.

If you would like to banish this behavior from your dog, consider doing the following:

• Redirect the behavior
• Offer plenty of distractions
• Walk away and don’t give them attention
• Interrupt them when they start