Managing Mouthing and Jumping

Mouthing and Nipping: Setting Boundaries Early

Puppy biting and mouthing are common challenges, but with a giant breed like a Great Dane, you must address this immediately. What is mouthy now will be a serious problem when your dog weighs 100 pounds or more.

Avoid Rough Play It may be tempting to wrestle or use your hands to play with a cute puppy, but this is not smart. Rough play teaches the puppy that human skin and clothes are toys. A 100 pound dog who still thinks it is okay to wrestle or play bite can easily cause accidental injury. Always use a toy as a barrier between your hands and the puppy’s mouth. This ensures safety for both you and your puppy.

Redirect the Behavior When your puppy tries to mouth your hands or clothes, immediately redirect them to an appropriate chew toy or bone. You are teaching them what they can bite. If they continue to go for your skin, calmly remove yourself from the situation. Stand up, cross your arms, and ignore them to teach them that biting makes the fun go away.

Jumping: Claiming Your Space

When a puppy jumps on you, they are invading your personal space. Instead of pushing them away with your hands, which can be seen as play, use your body posture to take back your space.

Take Back the Space Stand tall and walk calmly but firmly into the puppy’s space. By moving your body toward them, you are signaling them to back off. Most puppies will instinctively back up or sit down when you claim your space this way.

Reward the Choice The moment the puppy stops jumping and puts four paws on the floor, or sits down, immediately reward them. Give them calm praise and a pet. This teaches them that they only get the attention they want when they are behaving and respecting your space.

Energy and Socialization

To help your puppy succeed, ensure they are getting plenty of exercise and structured playtime. Consistent socialization is also key; keeping their minds busy helps prevent them from becoming bored and mouthy.