I am slowly, surely, working out my idiocy as a new puppy owner. I am sure it will all be good in the end, but he does test me every day.
Ok, the biting is good, right? But the biting HURTS! He bites hard, and he bites a lot! He will bite me anywhere he sees exposed skin. Hard. He is very happy when he does it and I don't want to disappoint him by stopping the play. Constantly. He is 12 weeks today.
Someone told me to wear winter jackets and boots through this stage-I thought they were kidding... is this just the way it's gotta be to raise a schutzhund pup? Can I discourage him from biting me, and if so, how? Or is it best to just let him chew me until I have to walk away? (that's what I do now). Seriously. My arms look I got tangled in barbed wire.

Supposedly, with the hunting gear there are plastic things that you can put on your legs to keep from getting snake bites. However, I never got around to buying a pair when Auster was a pup so I can not claim with authority that they exist.

I also kept a toy in my pocket to pull out when I saw Auster coming and substitute it for my pants, but Auster's just a pet so I'll let someone else tell you what they think of the idea.

Two ideas- I agree with Lauren that re-directing
the energy usually works really well. Keep your rolled up towel taped with duct tape handy and engage him in a game of 'bite the towel'.
second...it will not hurt a pup with good drives to give him a shake and a firm no and let him know that some behaviors are not acceptable.Immediately follow with a clap on the side and an invitation to play. You are not 'mad' at him. Watch a sound older dog with a pup and you will see how to do it. The older dog lifts a lip and shows a tooth..if the pup doesn't listen, he will growl and snap without really hurting the pup at all. Usually, one response and the pup learns his lesson. That is what we would hope to emulate. Hope these ideas help. Does anyone else have ideas to offer?

Thanks!
ok, I do try redirecting-but here's the thing-
he does not want to bite the toy-he wants to bite ME. He will play with the tug or ball a few minutes, then there is a switch. You can tell when it happens, he stops looking at the toy, is looking at my eyes, and he is aiming for my body. If I throw or scootch the toy on the ground like an animal at this point, to try to arouse interest in it again, his beady little eyes are still on my poor abused hands and arms.
I am glad to hear I can try a shake and a No!
Plus I today I decided the monster can take very long walks, hopefully he will become tired.
He is pretty cool though. I'm glad I got him.

Alex,

I certainly don't know enough to give advice. But I will tell you that I don't allow my pup to chew on me, my 14 year old dog or the cat. I give him lots of toys, exercise, walks, etc. etc,, but he can not chew on me, the older dog or the cat.

I don't see any reduction of drive from these rules.

Doyle

Hi Doyle
I have read some of your posts and I see you have a pup about the same age as mine. Maybe you can relate to some of my worries!
As per the advice I got earlier, I put my hand on the back of his neck y-day and gave him a little shake and a big NO! when he went for my hand. We did not get to the part where play was resumed-HE BIT ME FOR REAL in response. He drew blood, there were angry noises from him. I kept yelling and shook some more but although I acted as though I thought I'd won, I have no idea. I have no desire to engage in these power contests when the dog is big.
I am talking to trainer via phone and he has said to just shake hard, yell loud, and immediately stop interaction and remove the toy. The pup is very affectionate and good in all other respects.
Does this sound like your pup at all?

i do a quick swat across the muzzle. then when the pup is not biting, i move my hand fast as though i were going to hit him, but i pet him instead. that way he doesn't become hand shy, and he can associate the swat with biting.
i have done this with 8 week old pups and have not seen any less drive as a result.
out of control and lack of respect are not the same as drive.
if i want to train my dog for protection, he will learn to bite other people. he still will not be allowed to bite me.

Alex,

To answer your question, I got him when he was 7 1/2 weeks old. I immediately let him know that he could chew on toys, etc. but not me. Sometimes I will just give a loud NO, but if it gets rough enough I will give him a shake on the top of the neck. He yelps, then looks at me as if to say '"...what's your problem" and goes on to something else. Now he mouths me a lot, but does not bite unless he gets excited playing. Sometimes he mouths me and then licks - I wonder if he's thinking about having a finger for lunch!!

He has never intentionally drew blood, but last week he accidentally did.

Good luck to us both!!

Doyle

I've been bit shaking the knapp, being disciplined for something that was once acceptable made him mad, you need to re-direct. Maybe get him/her to understand No then when he attempts to bit shake the knap/tap the muzzle.

I thinks its time for the tug of war game, if they like to bite hold a light peice of burlap bag
up with two hands, as he approach to (play/bite) keep it moving before and after he bites. Let him pull for a while then let him/her have it.

To get it back you may have to out manuver him with your hands on either side of his head when he goes for one grab that barlap rag with the other and start a new. Once he enjoys this game, while he on the bite pat him/her and give the No/leave it or out command. Slowly (you may have to use the hand trick again to get the rag) stop the playing, maybe by placing him in a sit or sending him/her to retrieve a ball or his 2nd favorite toy. When he stops give a treat or bring the ball back, praise him & or give a treat. Tug of war is so much fun that he gets more enjoyment out of the game then bitting you and watching your eyes light up. This also keeps him on track for future bitting games. Keep it fun and positive.

There numerous ways to skin this cat, this has worked for me, by the way what breed of dog are these cute little alligators?

Good luck to you both.

The easiest way to keep from having the puppy focus on your hands as the most interesting thing to bite is to put lines on all your toys, so that you can stand up and keep the toy/rag/ball moving attractively. Then he'll go for the toy or sometimes the rope itself, but not you. And you can make the toys move very quickly, building prey drive, and add frustration by twitching them just as he's about to grab them, so he has to persist. You can also get your toys back and resume the play more easily if there is a remote line on them.