CharismaticMillie

Henry has a problem with "grabbing" peoples' hands with his mouth when they come over. He does it to the cleaning guy every week, delivery men, frequent visitors and complete strangers. He does it gently, and we have been lucky because most people know that he is excited - and not truly "biting" them. But, we would like to get rid of this behavior.

He gets overly excited when people come over, wiggles his body and wags his tail like crazy, jumps six feet up in the air...etc. etc. and then usually runs up to the person and takes them by the hand.

We've tried telling him to sit and stay while the person comes in, and he does (while still wiggling!). However, as soon as we let him go, he immediately finds the visitor and grabs their hand.

Help! How do we modify this behavior?!

(I was in college living away from home when my family got Henry, so I blame them for not nipping this behavior in the bud I would have had him in obedience training as a puppy! )

spoospirit

That's a great question. Two of our pups also take your hand in their mouth. They just do it anytime they are excited and I find it annoying. I would love to see some suggestions on how to fix this.

pudlemom

Both of males do this too I have been trying to extinguish this behavior also,I always tell them no bite but they just don't seen to want to get it. Like Spoosprit it is when the are excited

faerie

eva, my lab x does it too. it is like her way of greeting people.
she is very very gentle about it, but she is a 50+ pound dog.

we say "eva, no bite" and she stops, then she gets petted for releasing, but she still does it unless prompted not to.
she's a pretty smart, easy going gal.

JE-UK

Mine does this too, only to 'family' though. I tell him 'ow' and 'go get a toy' and he does. It seems to be a need to have something in his mouth when he says hello. My Goldens were like that as well, so I don't mind it.

Can you try having him hold a toy when people come in?

puppylove

Jackson did that to me and I finally put a bottle of Bitter Apple next to the door. I sprayed my hands and forarms before coming in. He soon quit. I don't think at this point he would mouth others but that may be because he is a little shy.

If you could employ the help of friends and family and have everyone use the Bitter Apple before greeting Henry it might break the habit.

jcwinks

Cleo does the same thing - especially when greeting new people. I think I like the bitter apple idea...

whitepoodles

My boy Cole also likes to mouth (not grab or bite) people hands. That is just what he does.. Cant explain it as none of my other dogs have this behavior and I agree it is only when he is excited. Just say a firm NO and they will understand. If you repeat NO over and over again, eventually they will get the message. Poodles are intelligent, they just push your buttons to see how far they can get with you... LOL.
I like the bitter apple suggestion also.

jcwinks

It does seem as though Cleo "pushes it" as you say! (Just like my kiddos!)

whitepoodles

oh YES, they certainly push and the more intelligent they are the cockier they get. I also do something that I found to be very effective if I want to curb an unpleasant behavior.. I growl... Yes, LOL I do, and I growl at the offender in a low gutteral voice just like my female would do when a 7 weeks old puppy hangs by its teeth on her nipple when they are weaned, not much appreciated by the female I can assure you.. LOL
If you ever read the book by Carol Lea Benjami, "Mother Knows Best" it will give you some tips on how to curb and correct your dog's behavior as the mother dog will in the wild. Great book to read.