Goodmorning, I just came home from puppy training and my trainer told me that, when the pup bites your hand when you pet him, he does not like to be petted at that particular area of his body. My 4 months old labrador does that a lot but I thought he was just being puppy-playful. Does anyone know if this is true?
It depends. If a puppy mouths and grabs at hands regardless, it's just about a sure thing that the puppy is being a puppy, mouthing and nibbling at hands. But yes, my adult dog will (very gently) turn his head and mouth hands if someone goes to examine his back legs (he has had 2 cruciate operations) and he is definitely saying 'I don't like that much'. It's all about the context and how the dog is behaving. I don't think it is ever as simple as "if the dog mouths a hand he doesn't want to be petted" because there are many reasons why a puppy or dog might mouth a hand.
I agree with Julie. Also dogs definitely have personal preferences. My lab really doesn't enjoy hands on his head that much so I have to stroke the side of his head by his neck or some other part of his body whereas my spaniel will squigle wherever you pet him. Try and encourage your pup to come to you for some loving and don't restrain him with your hands then you'll know he's happy
