Your Anti-Mouthing Action Plan

Inconsistency is the number one reason mouthing lasts past puppyhood, so everyone in the household has to play by the same rules:

• Freeze, do not pull away — jerking your hand mimics prey and excites the dog more. A still hand is a boring hand.
• Pre-load a toy before play so you can redirect the instant your dog gets mouthy.
• Never use your hands as toys — no wrestling or roughhousing with bare hands. That teaches the dog that biting skin is normal.