Not sure what to think??

[MastiffMillie]

I have posted before about Millie's obsession with chewing her toys up against our legs. I've tried many things to get her to stop without any joy yet. This isn't a daily problem, but hasn't disappeared. Today, I was on the phone; it was an important call. Millie was trying to chew against my leg and as i was unable to say no, I was 'gently' pushing her away with my foot, which meant pushing her away on the face. That sounds awful, but I was very gentle and was trying to say STOP. But she kept coming back. Anyway, looking back this is not an ideal way to have dealt with it, but I needed to continue with the call. Then she kind of went for my foot. Well, she had her mouth on my foot, my foot was definitely in her mouth, but there was no pain or pressure from her teeth. I had actually just ended the call. So told her NO in a very cross voice. She walked away, did a lap of the coffee table and came back for a stroke and a lick of my face.

My last dog (who was my first) never ever did anything like this. Millie is certainly sassier, more stubborn and not quite as.....I guess 'submissive' is the word. Therefore, much if the training is new to me.

She's just over 6 months now. Is this her learning? Was she telling me that actually she didn't like what I was doing? Should I be concerned or just cross with myself for how I dealt with the situation?

She is otherwise a friendly, chilled relaxed dog. Her other annoying issues are poop eating (yuck) and being scared of cars (we're working on it). She is great with the kids. We had a couple of issues when she was a really little pup, with me not the kids, but nothing since.

Advice much appreciated!!




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[PippatheMastiff]

Pippa used to like to do this! How funny. I thought it was her way of trying to get me to play with her. As usually I would take the toy and throw it, but she definitely chewed on it against my leg or in my lap.


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[scorning]

I think it just depends on what you want. If you don't want her chewing the toy on your leg, I wouldn't leave her toys laying around. I would put them away and only bring them out when you want to play with her, or if they are chewing type toys, let her have them in a secure room or crate. Or you can train her that she can only have her toy on her bed/mat. If she is with you and being annoying, trade for the toy and put it away.

Regarding the mouthing, I am ok with my dogs gently mouthing me in play, but not putting any pressure and not doing it outside of an invited play session. If they do, I say ouch and I leave or I put the dog outside or in a crate. Its a one strike your out, time with me is over.

 

[Hector]

I suggest you teach her a place/bed/mat command.

 

[Elana P]

I have posted before about Millie's obsession with chewing her toys up against our legs. I've tried many things to get her to stop without any joy yet. This isn't a daily problem, but hasn't disappeared. Today, I was on the phone; it was an important call. Millie was trying to chew against my leg and as i was unable to say no, I was 'gently' pushing her away with my foot, which meant pushing her away on the face. That sounds awful, but I was very gentle and was trying to say STOP. But she kept coming back. Anyway, looking back this is not an ideal way to have dealt with it, but I needed to continue with the call. Then she kind of went for my foot. Well, she had her mouth on my foot, my foot was definitely in her mouth, but there was no pain or pressure from her teeth. I had actually just ended the call. So told her NO in a very cross voice. She walked away, did a lap of the coffee table and came back for a stroke and a lick of my face.

My last dog (who was my first) never ever did anything like this. Millie is certainly sassier, more stubborn and not quite as.....I guess 'submissive' is the word. Therefore, much if the training is new to me.

She's just over 6 months now. Is this her learning? Was she telling me that actually she didn't like what I was doing? Should I be concerned or just cross with myself for how I dealt with the situation?

She is otherwise a friendly, chilled relaxed dog. Her other annoying issues are poop eating (yuck) and being scared of cars (we're working on it). She is great with the kids. We had a couple of issues when she was a really little pup, with me not the kids, but nothing since.

Advice much appreciated!!




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Hi Sarah,

Charlie, does it once in a while, but not that often.
I usually take the toy, and toss it as far away from me as possible.

As to taking your foot in her mouth I would just remove foot from mouth, give a little ear scratch and turn away, continuing with my conversation.

A lot of puppies will take your foot or hand in their mouth. If there is no pressure or teeth connecting with skin, I don't worry about it (other than getting slobbered on ).

If not on the phone, I would simply say, 'That's my foot, go get your toy.'

If your on the phone, I would highly recommend NOT saying things like: "Stop licking my feet," or..."Get my toe out of your mouth ....that tickles..." You might get some strange responses, and even more strange looks when you next meet this person lol.

 

[maryl]

Carson does this all the time. He's 2 yrs old and still he brings his toys over and wants to chew against my husband's leg or in his lap. He will also place his toys on a stool, a chair or the coffee table so he can chew them. I've taught him to "take it away" when he brings them to me. My husband gets all the fun!

 

[DennasMom]

If you really want to stop the 'I want to chew on my things while touching you' issue... every time she brings a toy near you to chew, say "drop"... then "place"... and when she's on her "place" return the toy to her. It might take a few repetitions a day for a few weeks, but she should get the idea that the ONLY place to chew toys is when she's on her "place" (you can define "place" any way you want, just be consistent about it). You can also teach hand-signals for each command, so you can enforce the rules while on the phone, too. A lot of dogs prefer visual command signals to verbal ones, anyway.

As for the reaction to having your foot in her mouth... seems like a reasonable reaction to me! And, it sounds like she understood what you wanted (no mouth on foot) and returned to let you know (and get confirmation) there's no hard feelings.

 

[PippatheMastiff]

So in my experience, it's because she wants you to play with her, to throw it. So we have a game of fetch, and she's good. She doesn't do it when I'm busy though.


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[MastiffMillie]

Thanks guys. I think I am on red alert for any undesirable behaviour at all, particularly because I have a 10 year old and 6 year old in the house (although obviously any undesirable behaviour would not be accepted anyway). We honestly didn't have to worry with our last dog, although we're always aware, but she quite honestly was only ever a real softie. Millie is certainly looking to be too but has been a bit more 'sassy'. However, as I said, because our DDB was such a soppy sweetheart, some things millie does are new to me. I think I would also react the same way if someone was pushing me away in the face! [emoji15]

Elana - I may be British, and called Sarah, BUT I am not Sarah Ferguson! Lol!




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[Elana P]

Thanks guys. I think I am on red alert for any undesirable behaviour at all, particularly because I have a 10 year old and 6 year old in the house (although obviously any undesirable behaviour would not be accepted anyway). We honestly didn't have to worry with our last dog, although we're always aware, but she quite honestly was only ever a real softie. Millie is certainly looking to be too but has been a bit more 'sassy'. However, as I said, because our DDB was such a soppy sweetheart, some things millie does are new to me. I think I would also react the same way if someone was pushing me away in the face! [emoji15]

Elana - I may be British, and called Sarah, BUT I am not Sarah Ferguson! Lol!




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Tee hee hee.
Didn't know the other Sarah has a thing about footsies...

 

[CeeCee]

If you really want to stop the 'I want to chew on my things while touching you' issue... every time she brings a toy near you to chew, say "drop"... then "place"... and when she's on her "place" return the toy to her. It might take a few repetitions a day for a few weeks, but she should get the idea that the ONLY place to chew toys is when she's on her "place" (you can define "place" any way you want, just be consistent about it). You can also teach hand-signals for each command, so you can enforce the rules while on the phone, too. A lot of dogs prefer visual command signals to verbal ones, anyway.

As for the reaction to having your foot in her mouth... seems like a reasonable reaction to me! And, it sounds like she understood what you wanted (no mouth on foot) and returned to let you know (and get confirmation) there's no hard feelings.

The only thing I would add to DM's post is be careful of pushing her away because then it can become a game to her and now you're just getting more of what you don't want.

I have a position that allows me to work from home. As a people Trainer, I am always on the phone with clients. With a puppy in the house, I've learned that I have to plan ahead and set Pru and myself up for success. For us this means a good long walk or play session before I begin my training (this way I know she'll crash when I'm training). If my day doesn't allow for this right before my training, then I give everyone a long lasting chew. (Pru is still kenneled when long lasting treats are given out.)

I learned this the HARD way one day when Pru decided right smack dab in the middle of a client training was when she wanted to play. ACK!!

 

[Hiraeth]

I think dogs chewing things against their owners is pretty common, and also an attention-seeking behavior. If you dislike this behavior *don't give her attention when she does it*. Attention can be positive or negative, so even scolding her or correcting her for the behavior will probably not prevent it.

Teaching a 'place' command can be helpful. But I think what you should do, if you want this behavior to halt, is every time she chews something on you, just get up and walk away. Ignore her completely. Leave the room. And if you're doing something (like talking on the phone) that prevents you from leaving the room, crate her or teach her a place/stay command, and *prevent* the behavior from occurring through management instead of trying to correct it after it begins.

I also think that her putting your foot in her mouth is not at all surprising. When she chews her toys on you, she's trying to interact. So when you interact in that situation, you reinforce the behavior and you're essentially saying "I want to play". My dogs play by gently mouthing me if I allow them to, and it sounds like she does the same. Definitely not a warning sign of any sort of problem, in my book.