MOUTHY TEENAGER
NORMAL, ANNOYING, FIXABLE

Why adolescent dogs mouth

Dogs explore with their mouths. Adolescence brings bigger bodies, stronger jaws, new hormones and a brain that is still maturing. Many dogs become more excitable and less able to settle. They also test boundaries. A 2020 study of adolescent dogs found peaks in conflict-type behavior around eight months, and we describe it on our second fear period page. Not every dog goes through this, but many do.

Adolescent mouthing often shows up as: grabbing hands and clothes during play, nipping at ankles, tugging on leashes, and mouthing when excited or overtired. It is usually not aggression. It is a mix of play, arousal and habit. If the mouthing comes with stiffness, growling, a hard stare or snapping, it is something else, and you should read about aggression.

If your dog is younger, check puppy biting. For the whole stage, see the adolescent dog guide.

Look at the triggers

Mouthing is not random. Ask when it happens.

• After exciting play, at the end of a walk, or when guests arrive.
• When the dog is tired. Overtired dogs get mouthy. Dogs need 12 to 14 hours of sleep a day, and teens often get less. See how much sleep a dog needs.
• When the dog is bored or has no outlet for chewing.
• When a person moves fast, waves their hands or runs.

Once you know the pattern, you can prevent it. Wind-down time before the danger zone helps a lot.

What to do in the moment

Do not yell, slap, flick the nose, hold the muzzle shut or roll the dog. These can hurt, scare the dog and escalate the biting. We never use them.

1. Stay still. Moving hands and feet make the mouthing more fun. Freeze like a tree.
2. Calmly offer a chew or a tug toy in place of your hand. "Take this instead."
3. If the dog keeps going, end the game. Say "oops," stand up, and leave the room for 30 to 60 seconds, or put the dog behind a gate. This is a short break, not a punishment. Come back and try again.
4. When the dog is calm, reward. Toss a treat on the ground or ask for a sit.

Leave a few chews or toys in every room so you can trade fast. Hang a short leash on the dog in the house and use it to guide them away, not to yank.

Make a wind-down habit

If your dog gets mouthy at the same time each day, put a calm routine just before it. A frozen stuffed toy, a lick mat, or a chew on a bed gives the mouth a job and the body a reason to settle. Dim the lights and keep your voice low. Many teens need to be shown how to power down, and a few weeks of the same routine is often enough to make a difference.

Keep your hands still during greetings. Hold a treat to the side and reward calm four-paws-down behavior. A dog who is mouthing during the greeting needs a lower starting point. Consider a leash indoors so you can step away quietly.

If you have kids, set up a separate plan. Kids run, squeal and flap, which brings out mouthing. Keep the dog behind a gate during peak chaos, and teach the children to freeze and be boring if the dog gets mouthy.

Teach the games with rules

Tug is a good outlet if you teach rules. Tug builds impulse control when the dog has to stop on cue.

• Start with the toy low, not waved in the air.
• The dog may take the toy only when you say "take it."
• Say "drop" and freeze. When the dog lets go, say "yes" and offer the toy again.
• If teeth touch skin, the game ends. Say "oops," and walk away for a moment.
• Keep sessions short and end while the dog is still keen.

Pair that with calm play. Teach hand touch, sit, down and "settle" on a mat. Reward every calm moment. Many mouthy dogs benefit from a "settle" routine more than any amount of play.

Tire the brain, not just the body

More running tends to produce a fitter, more wound-up teenager. What helps is mental work and calm. Try sniff walks, nose games, puzzle feeders and chews. See mental versus physical exercise and sniff walks. A short Find It game before the busy part of the day takes the edge off.

Our group classes and Star Academy are built for dogs at this stage. The structure gives your dog something to do with all that energy.

Keep your own expectations realistic. Most dogs settle a lot by two years of age. Until then, consistency and sleep are your best tools. Breed matters too. Retrievers and herding dogs are known for mouthing. See Labradors who pull and jump and herding dogs who nip heels.

When to get help

Ask a trainer if the mouthing leaves marks, if it is aimed at children, if it comes with growling, or if you are afraid of your own dog. A private lesson lets us see the pattern and coach your timing. If a child is being nipped, the matter is about safety, so read dogs who nip at kids and get help quickly. Pain can also cause irritability, so check with your vet if the change is sudden.