This is a section from a post I made in the Puppy Training Section. It was suggested that I break up the post into smaller sections.

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.. After reading more of the Leerburg site, I came to realize that my puppy nipping is probably just play-chewing since he doesn't snarl and his hair doesn't stand up. I'm usually just petting him and he swings over with his teeth and puts it on my hand. He doesn't mind petting and scratchies, so I don't think he is asking me to stop it. He has never bit down hard. I'm not sure I should correct this or just continue to distract him with his toys when he does this. It IS kind of annoying and he seems to be doing it more often, but its very borderline with me since he is from working lines and Ed says that they tend to be a bit mouthy. I still don't want him to grow up learning that nipping and mouthing on people is okay. Is a correction in order (simple shaking of the scruff and saying NO)? Or am I expecting too much and he'll grow out of it?

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Usually if I just say "EEhh-EEhh That's Daddy, not your toy." He'll stop and go back to playing with his toy. But he always still swings over and puts his teeth on me and my wife if we pet him while playing with his toy(s). I haven't heard of a time when he's done it to guest. But I certainly don't want that starting!

Thanks for your advice and replies!
David Chau

David if you are wanting to SchH, or Protection train don't disclipine the puppy. Distract him with another toy or treat filled kong if he mouths you. I think a raised finger and a "No" would be Ok, he may bark at you then. Wave the old sock or kong and throw it he'll go after it, praise him and pet again, hopefully he will stop nipping. But right now is the best time to stop this while he is a puppy.

If you not going to Sport train him, the scuff shake would probably do and the "No". For something like this that you want to nip in the bud a stern disciplinary action would solve it quickly. But distraction and ob drills might keep that bond more solid. My bitch would sulk a least for a day after a stren correction the Male would shake it off and be back in your face. Not doing the same thing but wanting attention.
This is just MO. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Good luck Dave.

I have a male GSD who just turned 4 months. He is very mouthy. Don you had given me great advice when I originally got him at 7 weeks. He has always been very mouthy in ways like your dog David. I try the no thing and point my finger to him, which makes him stop however he is back at it in few seconds. I also have a 2-year-old Rot-mix that the GSD is always attacking and biting. I hope he grows out of it soon as it's getting more difficult to correct his actions at 45 lbs.

Mike wrote - also have a 2-year-old Rot-mix that the GSD is always attacking and biting. I hope he grows out of it soon as it's getting more difficult to correct his actions at 45 lbs.


Mike - If he is responding to the "No" I'd try to distract him with a little ball fetching or tug of war with the ball on a string or his favorite toy. But I find sometimes there needs to be a time of just rest. This may mean that you should crate the puppy, throwing a kong filled with treats in his crate or let him have his favorite toy while crated. This procedure should be the same when he starts to harrass the Rotti-X, if he don't want to play (you can tell if tell sorta bow to each other or both their tags are wagging and body not tensed). If you start seeing stress in your Rotti-X while the 4 month old pup is playing call the puppy away or crate him. The puppy must learn the rules of the house and how to co-exist.