Playing ';mouthy games'; with your canine?

So, rule numero Uno (you know...Uno) of puppyhood usually involves nipping and bite control. Playing games that encourage your dog to use its mouth on you is highly discouraged. So how bad is it if you're playing ';mouthy games'; with your pooch? My BC is a seasoned mouther when it comes to rough-housing, and I have to use sleeves when playing with her, but she also knows when to quit. If I tell her we're done- we're done and she moves back to her sweet little self.





Am I corrupting my dog?Playing ';mouthy games'; with your canine?
Well I do have to wonder how you're dog would know not to play so 'mouthy' with a child. I can just see the poor dog thinking she's just playing and the child is standing there screaming and crying....





I usually teach my dogs the opposite for just that reason. It's a safety thing, not only for children and unsuspecting adults, but also my dog.





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Well now I've read your addition, but MY personal preference is to not play that rough with a dog or encourage it. I also don't like to encourage tug of war games. I have my preferences and reasons for training the way I do, obviously YOUR preference is different. If you feel you can control the dog and the children in every situation I'm not going to argue that. I don't count on those things with my dogs and I don't feel like 'arguing' over who is right or wrong. Either can be correct in the proper situation, with the proper adult supervision *at all times*. I have too many children breezing in and out, and I feel life has taught me one thing enough times, it's to not count on me controlling every situation. That's my personal experience and thoughts





*** Well again I can see how it would work for you. I'm in the city and TONS of kids around!





P.S. I want to add I can see your point. In my situation though I view this as my additional training 'safety net'. =)Playing ';mouthy games'; with your canine?
I dont think you are.. My dog loves to play tug a war and she knows when to calm down.. Sometimes she will get overly excited and nip, but she stops right away and gives a smooch afterward..
Yes, you are. What happens when someone else tries to play with her? What happens if it's a child? Just because you don't care doesn't mean someone else won't.
My first instinct was to say yes...it's a bad idea. After re-reading, maybe not so much. My only concern would be that if a child or someone else started playing or gave the same nonverbal cues you give when it's play time, she might accidentally bite someone and then you are up the creek.





What about getting a special toy that she uses when she wants to tug...like one of those rope things? Start integrating the toy when you've begun the normal course of play.
Nope, not at all. You're allowing your dog to be a dog, but 'channeling' her instinct to bite in a way that doesn't make her a danger to you or anyone else, and with the discipline to stop/start appropriately. This is good for her mental and physical health, and it's usually a bit of exercise/fun for us too! Good Job!!
Stacy's right - you're risking your dog's safety and yours, because there may come a day when a child tries to do the same thing, and gets nipped.





I know someone who lost her homeowners insurance because a 9 year old boy got nipped by her herding dog - only the sleeve, no skin, and just scared him. But his daddy is a lawyer, and there was a lawsuit - she had to move to another state and start all over.





It's one thing to play with a big Nylarope or toy, but sleeves are yours and not a legal plaything. It's just too dangerous.
I think it's fine. Dogs play with each other like this, you're just one of the pack! But you're also her leader because when you say it's done, it's done. You're just having fun.





I believe you are the type of person to keep a close eye on your dog while around children or even any guests you have over. And I believe that if a child started playing too rough with the dog, you would be able to easily ';snap'; the dog out of it with one word.





She seems like a great dog. Keep having fun. :)
I would teach her not to put her mouth on you. Play tug with her, but the instant her teeth touch you the game ends. You take the toy and put it away.