Is mouthing ok?

Loki nibbles on my fingers and I was wondering if that is a good or bad thing? He doesn't apply any pressure, but he seems to like my fingers on his teeth.

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Permalink Reply by KyraMoonUnique on February 7, 2010 at 4:38pm

He needs something soft to chew on like a stuffed critter. But also get him something like a semi hard squeeky toy

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Permalink Reply by Josh Rougeaux on February 7, 2010 at 4:47pm

Will do! Thanks Sara! :)

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Permalink Reply by Renee Kovacs on February 7, 2010 at 5:16pm

Personally, I like Cesar Milan's rule - clear, concise, nothing conditional: dog teeth do not belong on human skin. <-- period. You might taste good (salty), you might think no 'harm' is being done because it doesn't hurt, because it's 'just' mouthing, because the dog's not angry, etc - but those are all your conditions and the dog doesn't necessarily get it.

I've always stopped this by over-reacting whenever dog teeth contact MY human skin (loud "OUCH OUCH" or whatever you choose.) Does the trick quite succinctly. =)

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Permalink Reply by Beth on February 7, 2010 at 5:21pm

The rule I've always had with any dog I've ever been around is their teeth can contact my hands ONLY, and if and only if I initiate the game, and they must stop instantly the second I say "enough."

I've never had a problem, but it does depend on the dog. They are certainly capable of grasping the idea of rules and boundaries as to when and how it's appropriate; dogs play with other dogs by biting all the time, yet I have yet to see a well-socialized dog just go up to another dog and start chomping on it as, say, part of the greeting ritual.