10/08/2025
Dogs often use their mouths in ways that humans don't understand or appreciate. Without opposable thumbs, however, the mouth is a dog's primary tool for exploring the world.
Bite Inhibition: If given the opportunity, puppies first learn this inhibition during play with their litter. A puppy that bites a sibling too hard receives an immediate, loud yelp and the play stops. If a dog does not get that feedback (due to being taken from their litter early, not having littermates, ect.) they likely haven't learned good inhibition or the ability to use their mouth softly.
Emotional Arousal: Mouthing often escalates when a dog is over-aroused (excited, frustrated, or stressed). The act of putting their mouth on you can be a way to express this high emotional state and is a nervous system response.
Attention-Seeking: In many cases, a dog learns that mouthing is an effective way to get what they want—whether it's attention, a reaction, or to initiate play. Any form of response from you, even negative (like pushing them away or scolding), can inadvertently reinforce the behavior.
For puppies, teaching bite inhibition can make all the difference in the world. We can do this by ending play when our puppy mouths harder than we'd like. For an older dog, we shift our focus to impulse control and managing their emotional state. Using opportunities and reinforcement, we teach them that a calm body and a closed mouth lead to positive outcomes.
