How to Train Hunting Dogs to Soft Mouth

Hunting dogs meant for retrieving downed game and fowl are bred to have "soft mouths." Labradors, for example, were developed to pick up and carry shot birds gently and carefully so the game was not torn or broken. Though most retrievers have soft mouths from birth, some have what is called a "hard mouth" and clamp down on anything it's retrieving. To avoid damage or injury, you can train your hunting dog for soft mouth by teaching it bite inhibition as a puppy and then practicing soft mouth techniques with specialized training materials.

Things You'll Need

  • Peanut butter
  • Spreadable cheese
  • Treats
  • Soft toy
  • Training dummy
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Instructions

    • 1

      Teach basic obedience. Acting as pack leader and training your hunting dog to respond to commands like "sit," "stay," and "down" will reinforce the idea that you are to be obeyed and respected. Mouthing your body or clothing is not a sign of respect.

    • 2

      Train for bite inhibition. Hunting dog puppies, like all puppies, experience the world with their mouths. This tendency, along with their natural play instinct, can cause them to nip and bite, sometimes hard enough to break skin. If your puppy nips you, yelp loudly and turn away. This will teach your dog that using its mouth is not acceptable.

    • 3

      Teach your dog to lick, not bite. Put peanut butter or spreadable cheese on your hand and invite your puppy to eat it. Say "easy" or "careful" as your puppy licks your hand. After doing this several times, hold a piece of food in your fist so the dog can smell it but not touch it. Give your hunting dog the "careful" command and slowly release the food if your pup noses or licks your hand. When your dog is using a soft mouth consistently, offer the food on a flat hand and then between your fingers. If the pup tries to bite, start from the beginning again.

    • 4

      Practice with soft retrieving materials. Use your "careful" command when offering your hunting dog a soft toy or retrieving dummy. Only let your dog have the object if it is taken with a soft mouth. Specialized commercial products like the DT Systems 81100 Soft-Mouth Training Dummy simulates the feel of a bird's body and encourages a hunting dog to use a soft mouth. Devices like these can be made harder or softer for gradual soft mouth training.