I realize Romeo is still a pup... but I've found the advice and expierance on here useful many times.

Romeo has been excitedly nipping my hands when I walk by. Not in an aggresive matter at all more of a "Hi How you are Mum, please play with me" type of nip.. he immediatly stops if I command him to "Go Home" (go to his crate).. but I don't understand how to make him understand this is not acceptable? I don't like it....
The other night I walked by with a piece of food in my hand not realizing it was at puppy face height and he just nipped it right out of my hand without remorse. How can I correct this behavior? I don't think it's cute. He doesn't do it to anyone else but me.. (We have a family of 4 here.. 2 kids and 2 adults). I find it odd that he always singles me out when it comes to nipping and plowing me over when I come through a door. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

He's not associating going to his crate with the nipping. I would tell him no bite in a low growling voice and give him a firm scruff shake the instant he does it followed by a few seconds of no interaction at all. After that, give him a second chance to nip your hand and if he doesn't do it, praise him and offer him a treat or toy.

Have you tried grabbing his muzzle when he nips, like his Mom would do if he was getting too mouthy?
Not too hard, just enough so that he gets the message that its not acceptable behaviour.

And I am not trying to play devils advocate here, and i've never crate trained a dog so i am a little naive on the concept, but isn't it always said that you shouldn't put a dog in its crate for anything negative??? Amanda, I am not judging what you're doing, more trying to figure that part out because i've seen other people say they put their pups in their crates after they've done something unacceptable for a time out, but I always see it written that putting the pup in his crate should always be a positive experience, so that they don't start to dislike going in there.

My pup did the same thing,but after a few times of telling him "no bite",as Elaine said worked.Now when I see him I put my hand down by his mouth and he just licks.As far as plowing me over when I walk in--well I'm still working on that.

Amanda,
Since you say his nipping is playful and not aggressive, I have a suggestion. Put him in a "sit stay" either facing you or heel position. Hold some food in your closed fist and allow him to smell it. If he nips, tap (not hit) his nose with your closed fist and give appropriate command (eg. "no bite"). Repeat until he realizes that this behavior (nipping hands) is not acceptable (by not nipping) and then reward with th food item in your fist and praise (alot).

Timing (as always) is important and reinforce it by repeating several times a day until you are sure he understands the command. After that, I would correct for nipping.

Regarding using the crate as correction (like a time-out), the crate should always be a positive experience. I myself don't really think dogs understand time-out like corrections (they live too much in the moment).

 Quote:

Amanda,
Since you say his nipping is playful and not aggressive, I have a suggestion. Put him in a "sit stay" either facing you or heel position. Hold some food in your closed fist and allow him to smell it. If he nips, tap (not hit) his nose with your closed fist and give appropriate command (eg. "no bite"). Repeat until he realizes that this behavior (nipping hands) is not acceptable (by not nipping) and then reward with th food item in your fist and praise (alot).

Timing (as always) is important and reinforce it by repeating several times a day until you are sure he understands the command. After that, I would correct for nipping.

Regarding using the crate as correction (like a time-out), the crate should always be a positive experience. I myself don't really think dogs understand time-out like corrections (they live too much in the moment).

That's a great idea with the food.
I've tried the grab the muzzle and it just makes him react by backing up and yiping, I think it startles him and personally, I don't like feeling like I'm hurting him.
I don't use his crate as a punishment, more or less the door is always open - he freely goes in and out as he pleases. But when it's "Calm Down" time I tell him to go home. He seems to associate going home, with immediatly laying down in the crate and just waiting for me to tell him to come out. If I Don't command him to go home.. like I said he'll go in and out as he pleases.. sometimes trying to sneak in the occasional sock he pulls from the laundry bin. =0)
Crate training.. for me at least was an addtional benefit to training him period. It helped with housebreaking - it's helped with him learning that plowing into our guests or going nutso isn't acceptable, except for on the rare occasion when we play hide and seek. =0)
He's still a baby - I want him to be a baby... I just him to pieces. I just want to assure myself and Romeo - that *I* am the leader, not him, and he needs to obey by my rules. No ands ifs or buts about it.
I guess I figure if I start now, we'll see nose to muzzle and have that understanding. I know it there will always be work to be accomplished and something new to learn.. but he's learned the basics in a flash. He's a smart guy.. a bit hardheaded.. but smart. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />