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As I was sitting here reading the forum, with my puppy sleeping next to me on the couch, I shuffled my foot, she wakes up and goes for it. She's done this on several occassions. She doesn't bite, but mouths my foot/ankle. If I move it around she'll follow it and try to get it. This can go on for a couple of minutes until she lays back down and passes out. I'm guessing she's just confused?
It sounds to me as though your little puppy is showing affection. Mouthing your foot is exactly what they would do if they were still together with their mothers and brothers and sisters when they wake up.
I also have a Min Pin. My little min pin girl is a snuggler. When you disturb her she kind of growls at you... It's not a mean growl but kind of like a sound l that tells you that you disturbed her.
This is my first min pin but I can tell you that compared to other dogs that I've owned, she is very vocal and communicative. She's not a barker... more of a communicator!
My girl is sweet - except when you try to trim her nails... but the veterinarian told me that many of them aren't sweet. So, even though she's small, you need to teach her to be sweet if it gets out of hand.
All puppies are mouthy. All of them have to be taught not to bite as they grow up.
Last edited by World Citizen; 12-02-2009 at 08:01 AM..
I think it's play. All babies like to play when they wake up. However, I don't allow my dogs to play bite me. Toys, yes, anytime, but they are never, ever allowed to use their mouth on a human. Not even in play. I draw a very definite line, especially if I'm lucky enough to get them young.
Their mothers usually teach them proper play behavior between 6 weeks and 10 to 12 weeks. They need that time to learn what is allowed and what's not, and that going over board will get them nipped good. Moms are usually really good at lining them out. Unfortunately there are tons of crappy breeders out there that will let you bring a puppy home way before that age. Then they don't know they can't do that. They were never trained. In that case, it's your job to step in for mom.
About the housetraining, you should look up ViralMD's housetraining post if you haven't seen it already. I would replace your foot with something more appropriate to chew, like a toy. It does sound like she's just being mouthy, but you don't want her to think it's OK.
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They are usually really "mouthy" at that age.
