Hi all

I know this is mainly a sibe forum but I need some advice regarding my mally pup. She has just turned 12months old and she still hasn't understood that she shouldn't mouth people. She doesn't do it too much to strangers but she does with us. In the last few weeks her energy levels have increased and she seems wired all the time like an obnoxious teenager. During this time she has developed a bad habit that is driving us mad. Basically she will jump up to mouth/nip your arm/hand or back of leg in order to make you chase her or play rough. I'm absolutely convinced there is no malice in it and she just wants to play but as she is 34kg she does cause bruises and scratches without meaning too. I know she is playing with us like she would with another dog.

I've tried bitter apple spray on my hands and also chilli powder. Ignoring her as much as possible which is hard when the nips can hurt, putting her in time out, telling her 'No bite' in a stern voice, shouting 'ouch' and redirecting her to a toy. None of these seem to have worked and my wife is getting down about it. She is a lovely dog but needs to learn this is not appropriate play.

Is this a sign of the adolescent stage?

By the way I have just bought a bike and a springer attachment hoping that it will give her the excerise she needs and maybe her wanting to play rough will reduce.

Any advice is welcome as we would love to be able to sit down once in a while without being pounced on by a 34kg mal monster!  

Here she is the little devil herself:

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Mark

Well the little guy seems to enjoy it! She is a beautiful girl, and I think you are probably correct with all you have stated. Stay diligent about the mouthing and jumping, the exercise will help (I have a springer and just love it!), and I believe it's correct that the teenage years have started, she is going to push all the boundaries and see what she can get away with. Take hart, many on this forum have gone through the same thing you are and much more advise will be on the way, good people with good advise.

I guess apart from not enjoying the rough play I'm just concerned that if I don't get a grip on it then she will not grow up to be the dog I hope she is. Although that's probably me worrying too much as she has a lovely nature but struggles with too much excitements and needs to learn impulse control.

She is absolutely breath taking. About the behaviors, I have the same problems with my Kodabear and he is just over a year old. I continue with the corrections and invite people over all the time just to correct him about these behaviors and this has helped a lot. It seems it takes a village to raise a pup, too.

I'm dealing with the same thing with Luci. She does it mostly with me and my 7 year old daughter but is very gentle with my two year old. A stern 'no' or and turning my back to her seems to get her wound up even more, but leaving the room for a few minutes calms her down.

I hate to be the downer but welcome to the teenage phase, they are so sassy and naughty sometimes. My younger one is 2 now and is still going through it. She is getting better, but she is also very jealous of mom being with other people. If anyone comes up and hugs me she will jump and nip and both of us, she gets the time out then. I have been working on it for awhile and she has her good days and bad.
Just keep with it and it will get better, and good luck!!!!

By the way welcome and she is beautiful.