lol, thank you

Puppy-mouthing is another one of those re-direction things.
Replace your hand with a nice Kong.

If the dog understands "no", be sure to say "no" calmly and firmly, and then replace the bitten object with a more acceptable one. The second the pup's mouth touches the acceptable object, praise.

i have been doing that, and like i might have said i dont mind it when we are rough housing, i want to teach him when to rough house and when not to

Sometimes backing off the roughhousing for a bit is necessary, if you aren't willing to tolerate the non-roughhousing mouthing.
Young pups can get confused (and 6 months is young) when they are presented with a double-standard.

It's okay right now, but later it's not okay.
Dogs live in a black and white world, and it takes maturity and experience for them to learn "situational rules".

As your pup learns, grows and matures, it will be able to differentiate between play time (when mouthing is okay), and times when it isn't acceptable.

Trust me. At some point a magic switch gets flipped on in dogs, and they suddenly grasp all sorts of concepts that they didn't get yesterday.

thank you alyssa, yeah that makes alot of sence. in the mean time ill keep using the missdirection untill he is able to differentiate between the 2 standards,

thanks again

And sometimes not Michael.
Keep in mind the dogs primary means of comunication other then body language is their mouth. Your dog has been and now at the perfect age to start shaping his behavior. If you don't know about marker training....or if you think you know all about marker training, keep at it, there is always more to learn.

Ya know this afternoon I was rather reflecting on your problem. And it's is a problem......In your head. Whoa, whoa, hear me out now.
The short deal is this Michael; if you're going to play with the dogs. You're going to get bit, period.
For instantance, a couple of weeks ago I attended a seminar of a renown trainer. All the were dogs reasonably trained by the attendees and by most the common estimates very well trained. Guess what? Yep, the world renown trainer got bit. Want to know how he dealt with it? He did nothing. Thats right, absolutely nothing. He carried on with the training work. For you the lesson is....dogs bite, thats what they do. As a matter of fact I got caught today (my dog is almost three), my bad not hers.
Remember that (at the time it happens), dogs bite! Don't take it personally, and work at remembering it, dogs bite (shrug, thats what they do).

As to your last dog.
I understand, believe me I understand, you remember fondly the good friend he/she was. But that dog is not THIS dog. Even within the same breed, or for that matter within the same litter one is not going to find the same dog.
Oh sure, you can depend on certain traits and tendencies but you will never find the same dog. Each one in some ways is always going to be different, and need different inputs and handling. Thats the bottom line Michael, each dog is different. If they weren't, there wouldn't be any need for any this or that in training. We'd only need a cookie cutter....dust off the hands, fini.
So, to the best of your ability, forget your last dog. He/she is in the past (yeah, I know it's hard), but your PRESENT dog NEEDS you now......NOW!

In all the pups I've ever owned, I can't remember one that in the first year or so hasn't driven me to my wits end. Demand demand demand, god, almost as bad as babies. Over the years I learned what a great training opportunity their demanding behavior offered. They are very willing to please to gain their end when so demanding.
Therefore, I put aside the card game, or lay down the daily paper or best seller novel, or tune out the mindless chatter of the TV and work/play/shape with the dog. It pays huge dividends for our relationship down the road.
Don't take puppyhood for granted. It all counts.

Pick up some marker training books. Get some dog language books. Read them.
I know you want to try to do this right. Don't lose patience, the dog will be a pup for about two years yet. Relax and enjoy it while you can.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

I guess what I'm getting at Michael is that even as you say, 'rough housing', you're still teaching the dog something.
Why not teach him something that that you want at the same time?

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

hey thanks randy, yeah like i said i dont mind the mouthing not at all, i just got to teach him to stop when playtime is over, and yes i know he is a puppy and thats what they do, i have been around dogs all my life, couldnt live withouth them.

but ive never been so involed with my dogs lifes as much as i am now, yeah i loved them and took them for walks and played with them, but i never thought about web sites like this, or more training then sit paw and heel, so i guess in a way ace and i are training each other to be the best we can be.

his fave game is tugg, i am trying to teach him to release as we play, or stay until i tell him to come get the rope, stuff like that. and again i really dont mind the mouthing not at all and i habve learned that all dogs turn like a switch when they get to a certian age, and its easier for them to train and put 2 and 2 together.

but again thank you and its going to be a long and rewarding road for ace and i in OUR training each other.

i will go and get those books today on marker training and stuff and ill keep you posted on my success and im sure ill be back looking for more help lol

mike..

Mike Ed has a new video he just made on marker training. I don't have it yet but you might find it useful

http://leerburg.com/219.htm