To a dog, mouthing is simply another one of his ways of communicating - by taking your hand in his mouth to get your attention, but in a far gentler way than a bite. Puppies interact with their mother and siblings (the pack) by pulling at their ears and tails - not intending to hurt or alarm them, but simply to get attention.

However, as puppies grow up, so do their teeth, and other 'pack members' - and some owners - become intolerant of any biting behaviour. When a puppy goes into a home environment he must be taught which behaviour is acceptable to his new family. To correct mouthing and play biting in an adult dog, follow these steps.

Step 1 - just say "no"

• When your dog starts to mouth or play bite, give a loud yelp or a firm "no" command
• Ignore the dog for a few minutes
• He should learn that he gets more attention and praise by not using his mouth
• If you think you need a more sophisticated approach, try the next step.

Step 2 - the reward for getting 'off'

• Hold a treat and make sure you have your dog's attention
• Get him to sit so he is focused on the treat, held just in front of his face
• When he tries to jump up and snatch the food, take it out of his reach and say "off" quietly and firmly
• When he turns his face away or steps back, give him the reward and praise him

Keep up the training regularly, and once he's got the knack of the "off" command you can use it to stop your dog from mouthing or play biting. Remember to give praise where it's earned!