I'm not using him for working, but he comes from working lines. I've tried it all.

If I ignore him he just follows me and bites me from behind. I used to stick my mouth in and gag him - he didn't like it at all, but it didn't stop. Same with squezzing down on his mouth/tongue, sruff shake, etc.

You name it, I've tried it - and in a consistent manner. I've heard from other people that have working pups and they actually recommended wearing snow clothes to protect your arms etc. They all insist that it goes away after about 5 or 6 months, but I just can't Imagine it. At this point it sounds like a fantasy.

When I say draw blood - I don't mean gushing blood - just enough to open the skin. I can re-direct, but usually he loses interest and starts back after my hands. And he gets LOOOTTTSSS of exercise attention, games, training, and walks (I walk him a minimum 3 times a day and sometimes 4 or 5 times - all in addition to Hide and seek games, retrieving games, backyard play, etc.).

Have you tried using a choke collar. Give him a response towards negative behavior, while telling him "NO" so that he understands why he is getting the response. Also if this starts to work give him praise or treats when he executes good behavior at the times that he normaly doesn't. Also make sure that the choker is high on the neck for it to be effective, and if it doesn't seem to be working don't be afraid of lifting his front end off the ground for a second. As for him growing out of it, I would say not. You will have to show him that it is unnacceptable and will not work any longer. Also is he submissive to you.

Originally posted by michael stinson:
I am not in any way a dog trainer, May I respectfully suggest that you consider this before you suggest choking a puppy.

Originally posted by michael stinson:
As for him growing out of it, I would say not. Puppies are mouthy, especially high drive ones. They'll almost always grow out of it.

You have received good advice. Definately re-direct the behavior. Your pup young still and the situation does not seem to be out of control.

Matt,

Your situation sounds quite different. The way you describe your series of open cuts makes it seem like you have a problem that you are having trouble controling. I also would NOT suggest choking the crap out of the dog. You DO need to get control over the dog. Before his little playful bites that cause open cuts turn into flesh tearing bites....maybe you should get some professional help.

Simon his dog is almost 5 months of age and as for hoping that he will grow out of it, well thats just taking a 50/50 chance. At 5 months old it wont be long before he can do alot more than just break skin.

Matt-you may have inadvertently created your own problem. A mouthy 5 mos.GSD is normal. If you don't want your flesh used as a chew toy, put another object into his mouth instead. This may mean walking around with 50 chew toys in your pockets, lol...

Think of if from your pup's point of view. He instigates play, you 'up the ante' by manhandling him (scruff shake, face pinch, choking) so naturally he would think that rougher play is in order. That is why he is biting so hard. If you don't want him to bite you just say "OUCH" loud enough for him to know he hurt you and he'll get the picture.

Some people do enjoy 'bitey' games with their dogs. If you are one of them, I would suggest that rather than intensifing the game when the bite is too hard for your liking, simply pinch the underside of the dog's chest. Not in a vindictive manner, but to show he's crossed the line. That way he is learning how much force is too much.

You have to be very straightforward when communicating with a dog. If the dog is confused, it won't learn a thing. That said, the aforementioned 'corrections' shouldn't be used any longer, as they will only be associated with play from your dog's perspective.

He is only 4 months old and I'm not going to use a prong collar on him until he is 6 months old.

I'm getting mixed messages here.

He is a high prey drive working line GSD and they are naturally mouthy.

He does not bite me in true biting, inflict harm manner - he chews. But, like I said he has sharp baby teeth and they can scratch and break the skin. Although, he has lost about 4 of his teeth, and his biting seems to get a little better the more of his teeth he loses. His canines are still baby teeth and these are the ones that scratch and break the skin.

I try to redirect and it works to some degree, but when greeting him he wants to say hello and doesn't care about the toys.

Today he spent all day playing with 2 pitbull pups and he is worn out. He has only tried to mouth me a couple times and promptly stopped.

Screaming ouch never worked. I tried many times. He just gets more worked up.

The method I have resolved to go with is re-directing - It just hasn't been completely effective yet.

As for the question is he submissive - Yes he is. He knows I am boss. He rolls on his back when I greet him. I rub his belly and he goes nuts, but he also really wants to mouth me. I can usually get him to chew something else when we do this, but he gets frustrated and chews his own legs.

I have tried various frozen things (frozen towels, kongs, and ice cubes). He quickly loses interest.

Matt, you aren't really listening to everyone. Cynthia gave some great advice (as did others).

He is a high prey drive working line GSD and they are naturally mouthy.
It appears to me that you are using that as an 'excuse' to NOT deal with this problem. As in he's a 'working' dog so some of this is expected. WRONGOLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All puppies do this, it's the ONLY way they know how to play. And unless you TEACH them a new way to play, this is fun for them and they will only get worse (um, your arms ?).


I try to redirect and it works to some degree, but when greeting him he wants to say hello and doesn't care about the toys.

You are not doing this properly if it's still only working to 'some' degree. YOu need to find a toy, and a way to play that is MORE FUN THAN BITING YOU! It will take some work and some time. You have to make the toy attractive, it has to squeak, or move or be dragged around, or be tugged for 10 minutes......... Until you find a way to make the toy MORE fun than biting you, he won't like to play with the toy. He has to LEARN to love the toy more, and you have to teach him.

Today he spent all day playing with 2 pitbull pups and he is worn out. He has only tried to mouth me a couple times and promptly stopped.
That is a VERY key statement, because THAT is what your dog acts and looks like when you really exercise him. I know you were saying earlier you take him on alot of walks thru-out the day, and I absolutely believe you. BUT I know that 'walks' never wear out my dogs. You found one of my favorite ways that does! Meeting and socializing with other dogs for hours (by the way, did you see how those pups were playing together? WITH THEIR MOUTHS, like he wants to play with you?). I also have to go on long offleashed walks in the woods with the dogs.

And you appear to be a bit set on NOT going to any types of training or classes. Which is really too bad. Would end alot of the frustration for you and your dog if you could got to training sessions with a knowledgeable and qualified trainer. Heck, I've raised 3 puppies and taken all 3 to classes. They are (of course) now perfect, but when I get another puppy, it's off to class we go again. I realize that someone who had been around and trained 100's of dogs may be able to help me and make the training easier. And I'm all for 'easier'!

Matt, c'mon buddy, stop fighting all the good advice. Stop with the pinch collar at 6 months. I don't have a problem with the collar, but if you have been letting him bite you all this time it's not fair to start correcting him for things YOU taught him to do. I have had my share of maulers and it stopped before 5 months. Find someone to help you with this it's not that hard, and doesn't require pinch collars.