Help with puppy biting

[Linder]

Hey all, we have a GSP that is a very smart pup but for the life of us we cant get her to stop nipping at hands and dangling clothes or hair (for our girls). She has days where she does really well but then the next day its like day 1. I've read a ton of articles and have tried a number of different methods but nothing seems to help very much. She gets her last set of puppy shots in 2 weeks and then she will be able to attend her puppy class. I'm hoping they will be able to help us out a bit. Until then i was hoping to get some advice or tips from all of you. Anything helps

[vandeman17]

Is it a playful nip or more aggressive? When my pup would do it, I would give her a quick flick right on the tip of her nose and she hated that and learned pretty quick. I also would roll her cheeks in if we were playing a bit and then she would end up biting down on them, it would hurt and she didn't like that either. I am not sure if this is remotely the correct way to do it but it has worked for me with multiple dogs.

[johnnyaustin44]

  I do the same with my pup. He still does it but not as much. Also read the other day to put some butter on your hands so they lick instead of bite. Haven't tried this yet but it seems like it'd work.

[vandeman17]

I also read that you can actually bite the dog back because that is what the mother does with all her pups to teach them the rules. Not sure I could ever actually bite a puppy but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

[Linder]

Its not really aggressive. im sure if she was trying to cause harm she would do it. its not as big of an issue with me because i am big enough to be the dominate one but i have 2 girls aged 6 and 3 and a 6 month old boy and my pup will bit their clothes and hair(girls). ill try the flicking as i'm ready to try anything. I know she is teething as well and that accounts for some of this. I would be interested to try the butter thing, ill let you know how that works

[vandeman17]

Its not really aggressive. im sure if she was trying to cause harm she would do it. its not as big of an issue with me because i am big enough to be the dominate one but i have 2 girls aged 6 and 3 and a 6 month old boy and my pup will bit their clothes and hair(girls). ill try the flicking as i'm ready to try anything. I know she is teething as well and that accounts for some of this. I would be interested to try the butter thing, ill let you know how that works

The clothes thing is tough because I also tried to give my pups enough toys to keep them busy and help alleviate that desire to always chew but at the same time, it somewhat tells them its ok to chew on stuff like clothes. I would just try being around them with the kids and as soon as she bites, pop her on the nose, say "no" and make sure she knows right from wrong.

[johnnyaustin44]

I also read that you can actually bite the dog back because that is what the mother does with all her pups to teach them the rules. Not sure I could ever actually bite a puppy but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

I've  been giving that a go lately too. 

[Colin]

My lab is 12 weeks old tomorrow. I've been teaching "no bite" from 8 weeks by holding his muzzle, no pressure just enough to hold on and softly say no bite until he submits. Started with 1 or 2 seconds then have gone till he gives in now after he is starting to understand. Also been teaching "leave it" during feedings. Basically tell him "leave it" while he is eating and take his bowl up or stick my hands in between him and the food. He's started to get it. So when I see him go for shoes etc he hears "leave it" and goes the otherway. For me the biting happens most when he's all rev'd up. I try and get him tired as hell when new ppl are coming over so he is mellow and there are just less instances for him to naw at ppl.

[Colin]

Oh and he loved socks!!! So everyday for a week 3 times a day I let him find a sock and as soon as he touched it I held his muzzle and told him leave it. I watched my wife try and set her socks up on the coffee table which he went for and got then she just moved them further in on the table pretty soon little guys was up on the table. I try and give him the chance to make the mistake when I can be right there to let him know that it's mine not his. Idk hope this helps. I was really frustrated in the first week but it seems to be paying off. Best of luck.

[Linder]

She is a fan of socks as well. I have started teaching "leave it" and she is starting to get it which should help. thanks for the help guys, I know im not the only one with this problem so its nice to hear some feedback from people with the same issues

[Commando]

what I did with my lab when he was a pup was when he tried to nip/bite I would grab his lip and curl in onto one of his teeth and give just enough pressure for him to feel his teeth on his lip. learned real quick not to bite.

[AspenBud]

Spray bottles work wonders.

[vandeman17]

Spray bottles work wonders.

I tried that with one of my dogs and she actually enjoyed it and it turned it a game so that failed.  I do know it works for plenty of other dogs though

[turbo]

what I did with my lab when he was a pup was when he tried to nip/bite I would grab his lip and curl in onto one of his teeth and give just enough pressure for him to feel his teeth on his lip. learned real quick not to bite.

and say no BITE, squeeze right when you say bite.

[Pingdork]

Spray bottles work wonders.

I tried that with one of my dogs and she actually enjoyed it and it turned it a game so that failed.  I do know it works for plenty of other dogs though

I read somewhere to put about 2-4 tablespoons worth of vinegar in the spray bottle with the water to discourage unwanted behaviors. Unpleasant smell to the dog with added benefit of being an unpleasant smell for fleas as well.
Worked well for our dogs anyway.

[rasbo]

I use the ears on my heeler when she was a pup,give them a squeeze and pull down and say no

[Blackjaw]

You might try the 'no' along with one of the slight physical directions above, then give her a toy she is allowed to chew on and pet/praise her when she is chewing on it instead of the girls clothes.

[lokidog]

   and

what I did with my lab when he was a pup was when he tried to nip/bite I would grab his lip and curl in onto one of his teeth and give just enough pressure for him to feel his teeth on his lip. learned real quick not to bite.

   The harder they bite, the more it hurts, natural consequences.

I've actually been doing this with all of our puppies and mostly, if they feel skin, they will let go quickly... all of our puppy buyers can thank me later.      

Also, to the OP, make sure the kids have something that is OK for the pup to chew on handy, that way they can tell the pup no but then replace their body part with the OK thing.

[elkoholic]

I also read that you can actually bite the dog back because that is what the mother does with all her pups to teach them the rules. Not sure I could ever actually bite a puppy but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

I did this to my brothers puppy 2 years ago, he knows who the top dog is when I come around now... never bit me again. I did this when he was about 12 weeks old...

[KFhunter]

I do the clamp and roll method.

I always clamp on the muzzle with my hand and gently roll their face so they're on their sides/back.  I hold it until I get a submit, usually a little whimpering and pawing at my hand but a few repeats and they've learned submitting at an early age.  I don't go for the whole enchilada the first time they nip/mouth/bite, just a clamp and roll a few seconds then release when I hear a whimper.  They catch on fast.

*note - careful not to grind or chip their teeth or catch a tongue, I hold the muzzle firmly but gently - goal is not to hurt the dog but restrain

[lostbackpacker]

there is a pressure point right in front of the dogs hips.  you put your hands over the top of her back and can squeeze that pressure point.  do it then when she learns all you have to do is put your hand lightly on her back and say no bite at the same time.  pretty soon she will stop.

[wildweeds]

Exactly what I do, bite them back on the ear,just enough to get a whimper and a whine.Works like a charm,never had even a stubborn one take more than three lessons

I also read that you can actually bite the dog back because that is what the mother does with all her pups to teach them the rules. Not sure I could ever actually bite a puppy but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

[police women of America]

put butter on the whole families hands and the puppy will lick instead of nipping. Try doing it a couple times. Eventually he will get it.
as for furniture he is probably teething so make sure there are plenty of chewy toys for him. if that doesn't work find out something sour that doesn't hurt dogs and spray it on the furniture legs and he will learn those aren't toys.
watch "Dogs 101 puppies edition" covers everything.

[police women of America]

Exactly what I do, bite them back on the ear,just enough to get a whimper and a whine.Works like a charm,never had even a stubborn one take more than three lessons

I also read that you can actually bite the dog back because that is what the mother does with all her pups to teach them the rules. Not sure I could ever actually bite a puppy but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

just like the movie "snow dogs"