Hi everyone, Yalom has just started doing something new, he is now 8 months. His mouthing had all but stopped, but recently he's started jumping up at me and clamping his mouth around my arm or sleeve. I think it might be related to excitement or even frustration as it's often when we're playing with a toy. He did it this morning after chasing his ball around. I can usually either ask him for a sit or throw a piece of kibble and it seems to distract him, but I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas how to manage this? Thanks!
I'm not clear about what is happening. Why is he getting frustrated when playing with the ball? Does he not want to give it up? At what precise point in the game does the mouthing and jumping up occur? What's the trigger? Is he getting too excited? What happens if you play with the ball but intersperse the game with some downs for duration?
Hi @RuthElizabeth - how are you and the lovely Yalom? We had (and still have sometimes) this same thing with Luna - it started when she was about 7 months old. The same sort of time that she started barking if she was having to wait for her food. I put it down to over excitement and not being able to channel it properly. It probably happens once a day and generally when she wants attention and when it does, I just go back to absolute basics, say no in a firm voice and turn away from her. Alternatively, I shove a toy in her mouth. It's getting better - bear with it. He'll work out that you don't like it.
@Michael A Brooks - I thought it was frustration at this point because it happened when his ball got stuck in a bush. Usually it happens just after he's retrieved it. I will try and intersperse the play with some downs. @LoopyLuna thanks! I will definitely do that. I felt the same thing - he is excited and doesn't really know what to do with it. He's not so well at the moment, so I'm hoping he'll be back to his normal self soon.
Oh bless him - what's the matter? Luna's been in season the past few weeks and she's been looking very forlorn. Lots of crying and howling. It's horrible when they're out of sorts. Hope Yalom is on the mend soon.
Thanks @RuthElizabeth for the additional information. It sounds as though he is getting into drive as a result of retrieving, and then loses focus. My suggestion is designed to intersperse that with some calmness. Dont ask initially for too much. Five seconds would be a huge demand. Reward him highly if you achieve the relaxed compliance. The alternative is to have him on a long line. Give him a release cue when he get back and he can go off and have a long sniff. Let us know how you proceed.
Yes, it sounds like excitement and arousal levels have built up and gotten displaced from the toy to your person. Try to redirect focus back onto the toy, or get another more appealing toy out. Alternatively, you can give him a stuffed Kong or something to chew - which will help him relax out of that state of mind and calm down.
Thanks everyone. I have been mixing up some toys and using pauses and chews as suggested, all of which have helped. He doesn't get the same thing when we're using his dummy either (I'm not sure why), so I'm sticking to that at the moment.
