Do you all think it's ever really possible to consistently teach a dog that some behaviors are only okay with a limited group of people? I have a few examples, but the best are mouthing on hands when excited and jumping up on laps/standing on people who are sitting. While both are not a big deal/manageable when it's me or my husband (Tank understands "off" and has a very soft mouth), they are totally unacceptable with guests. I believe that if it's okay with us he'll think it's okay with anyone and worry about confusing him, but would be open to an alternative! I would prefer that he never do either behavior but don't actually care that much if it's just us. My husband likes roughhousing and I think secretly likes both behaviors. If possible, I'd prefer it to not be a "thing" in our house - one less "parenting" battle would be great! What do you think? Is it possible? If so, how would you go about it? Currently Tank is reinforced when mouthing at my husband (more play/attention), but corrected ("Uh uh." + asked to sit/down/rewarded for calm behavior or removed from the room) if he does it with guests. However, that clearpc hasn't worked because he still does it to whomever is around if he's overexcited.
Hi @Tank the Destroyer one of the issues in dog training is that dogs do not generalise well. It's usually a negative. Here it is working for you. That the dog will mouth your husband does not necessarily mean he will do so with anyone else. The body language is different. If you are really concerned, and I suspect you are, get your husband to capture the mouthing with a cue. Use an obscure word no one else will use in a everyday conversation . Once taught make sure you're husband always uses the cue to initiate the "love nibbles", I realise that spontaneity is lost, but there are no free lunches, for any of us including Tank.
@Michael A Brooks Your last line made me laugh - that has been a very difficult lesson for Tank (as it is for all of us). Thanks for the reply and advice. It never occurred to me to put the mouthing on cue!
