Hello all,

I am a new member to this board.. I have quietly been reading everything posted here for the past few months.. I am the new "parent" of a male GSD named Khan. I have been raising him since he was 8 weeks old, he is now 6 months.. I have watched, MANY times, 4 of Ed's videos and found them very helpful.. My question/problem is in regards to biting..
He is very mouthy and I think that I may have become my dogs favorite chew toy.. At first I thought it was no big deal and would subsitute a toy for my hand. But now at 60+ pounds I think I may need the next step.. I am unsure how hard to correct him for "gently holding my hand in his mouth".. It is clear that he is not trying to hurt me but it is now beyond annoying. Does anyone have any advice on my next step? what about his pawing? he continually will use his paw to "grab" my hand and direct it to his mouth..

Thank you All..
Greg

Is this dog a pet? Or do you have plans to participate in a sport such as Schutzhund?

"what about his pawing? he continually will use his paw to "grab" my hand and direct it to his mouth"

You should probably be the one initiating and ending play. This game will definately get "old" if allowed to continue.

Since you want the love and the closeness and not be punishing for wanting the same (and you are not), I would work on 'teaching' him a new way to interact and be with you.

TUG TOYS! and INTERACTIVE PLAY with TOYS! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

These GSD's seem to be very 'oral' loving to bite and chew to play and not getting how we are not as into it as they are. But if, instead, we can re-direct their mouths in a good way (so the body parts become boring, but THE TOY!!! is a riot!) they actually learn to bring the toy over and use the toy.

For me, the fairly long tug toys are best. There are alot to choose from also, braided fleece, rope, kong on a rope, the jute type, firehose type. I keep tug toys all over the house and in every room while I'm teaching this so one is constantly on hand when my pup is bored and decides to play.

The OTHER thing that really works, is with official training and TONS of exercise!!!! Because a tired dog is not bored and trying to herd me around the house and invite me to play with a few quick bites, or reassuring itself my holding my hand in their mouth. Since I incorporate tug toys in ALL my training, and also bring them on my off leash adventure (good way to get a reliable off leash 'come' when the reward for coming is a game of tug and then a release to go back and find a squirrel).

As much training as I do at home, it's better when I find a good trainer in my area to work with. Forces me to practice (I am a bit of a procrastinator), challenges me to try new things, can give instant feedback/suggestions to help the training progress, and I meet more WONDERFUL dog people (some have been friends now for over 12 years, and I met them in dog class).

So the socialization, exercise and mental stimulation helps wear out my pups so they come home and crash (uh, too tired to mouth me). And TONS of exercise and off leash running, sniffing, swimming, etc. helps take that edge off. And then tug toys all over the house helps re-direct when I haven't been able to exercise/train and can play with them.

Greg,

Same problem, bigger dog...16 month old male GSD. If he likes you, you get bitten. Sort of an exaggeration but he has always been mouthy and for the life of me, I cannot seem to relieve him of his desire to chomp.

He's particularly fond of forearms. He's actually very gentle and has never hurt anyone but it is incredibly annoying, as you said. I've tried so many things I can't bear to list them here. I know I must be the problem in the end but I do feel I want to give him some responsibility for being such a pain in the ass because I've been able to train him to do everything you can think of except that.

I think the only thing that will work with my dog is if I always have the ecollar on him so that I'm prepared every second of the day. It's not really practical for me. I have teenagers who have their good friends just walk in or my sisters and parents who view my home as their sanctuary (I have a fabulous patio <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. I feel like I should be sitting at my window watching for potential visitors so when I spot one pull into my driveway, I can call them on their cell, instruct them to wait outside till I'm ready, race to the closet for all the proper equipment, get the dog to strap on the ecollar, call the person again and say come on in, watch and wait for the offending behavior and then correct it. All while I've left a client waiting for me on the phone <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> !

I know this doesn't help you except maybe to know you're not alone.

Hello ,My 9mos. old male GSD does the same thing as far as grabbing at my hands(not aggressivly)just playful.I read somewhere it might have something to do with establishing himself within the pack.I'm by no means an expert on this but it seems to make sense.I don't allow my pup to do this.JMO like I said I'm no expert

Michael you are right mouthing can be a sign of trying to assert himself "dominance behaviour" I recently watched the Leerburg tape and it also mentions that the dog may see you as the prey, and the nipping and mouthing can happen as a result of this,so it could be one or the other depending in what context it is happening.
I just persevered with giving the toy, I also changed the size of the toy, I was using to play with, I got a bigger one so my hands were targeted less.

I am new to this board and this is actually what I was looking for - I have a female GSD - 7 months old - when I come home from work, shopping, etc. she bites me constantly - she is a very sweet dog - my husband wants to use the shock collar on her - I feel that is not right because I don't want to discourage her from being excited to see me - I need to distract her from doing this annoying habit and hopeful that she will outgrow this. This is my second shepherd and I did not experience this with my first one. Julie

I tend to agree with Greg
Why would we punish a dog for initiating play with you
He's happy to see you, lets play
Shock 'um
Biting like this I beleive comes from too much hand to mouth reward as a pup
Green handlers tend to hold the treat incorrectly and encourage the dog to mouth, bite at them as they deliver the treat to the dog (unintentionally)
Dog's always get better at things we encourage, especially if theres food involved
So they think we like it if they jump up and bite our hands
If you had clicker background, I would encourage a coffee cup of kibble and clicker by front door and by the crate
when you first arrive home or when you take them out of there crate, teach the dog sit in front, stand in front, and touch (sniff, lick) your hand
When you reward the dog, throw the food
You really need to reduce the hand to mouth reward with shepherds for amatures
Pros need to concentrate on green handlers handling of bribe
Further to above, Greg was right, don't punish them for trying to play, teach them how to
Search "Play Training" for pet owners
Develope your retreive, or should I say carry at a beginners level
Can they bite you if their mouths full?

Great advice Greg

Sorry meant to say I agree with post from Jenn