The first thing to know is that puppy mouthing is completely normal and necessary for their development. It helps them learn to control their bite, but also to explore and make sense of the world around them (much like a human baby who puts everything in their mouth).
Chewing is also one of a dog's core needs, even into adulthood. So we can't stop them from mouthing and chewing altogether — we can only redirect them towards something more appropriate, like their toys.
How should I react when my puppy mouths me?
The best response is to ignore them and stop the interaction entirely:
My puppy mouths me: I immediately stop the game or the cuddle and walk away in silence, ignoring them completely (no words, no gestures, no eye contact). If they really won't let up, I calmly leave the room, still ignoring them, and wait a few minutes for them to settle before coming back.
The aim here is for them to understand that "I mouth = nobody pays attention to me" and "I don't mouth = the fun continues".
You can also swap your hand for a toy and praise them when they chew on it. This helps them learn that their toys are what they're meant to go to town on. Don't be afraid to buy tougher chews, such as an antler.
Letting them spend time with calm, well-balanced adult dogs will also help them pick up canine social rules — including how to manage the strength of their bite and bite inhibition.
And of course, let's not forget that the golden rule is... patience, patience, patience! A puppy is just a tiny baby, and training isn't a matter of hours — it takes months. You need to stay consistent and not chop and change your approach every other day.
Mistakes to avoid:
Saying "no" or telling them off: this counts as giving them attention, and a puppy would rather have negative attention than none at all! You'll actually end up reinforcing the behaviour.
Pushing them away: they'll simply take it as a game and come back at you with even more enthusiasm!
Scruffing them / pinching / biting back / twisting their lips / etc.: these are completely pointless actions that will achieve nothing except damaging your relationship. Your dog will simply start to fear you, and instead of building a bond of trust, you'll create one built on fear and intimidation. Rather than understanding that they shouldn't mouth you, they'll just learn that wanting to play with you means danger and pain...
