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Love Bites: Training Your Dog to Be Your Valentine

Alison Nezbeth


Puppy mouthing is a natural developmental behavior, but it’s important to guide your dog on how to use their mouth appropriately. Here’s how to incorporate structure and rewards effectively:

  1. Redirect Acceptably: When your puppy mouths, redirect them to an appropriate chew toy or tug. Teach them that using their mouth on the right items is rewarding.

  2. Use Mouth Work as a Reward: Incorporate “remember to use your mouth” as part of training through games like tug-of-war. Ask your dog to perform a task first, such as a sit or down, before starting the game. This teaches them to work for rewards.

  3. Structured Decompression: After interactive play, guide your dog to a place command or crate for decompression. This helps transition their energy back to calm behavior and reinforces boundaries.


    Teaching your dog how to appropriately use their mouth is a balance of rewards, structure, and clear expectations. When done right, it strengthens your bond while ensuring they understand the rules.

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