Bite Inhibition Help! - Page 1

How do I teach my 4 month old GSD puppy to stop biting my clothing and bite inhibition? He has been nipping my arms alot more than before so could it be because his teath are coming out? My puppy's bite inhibition is good but I believe it could be better (got him when he was 12 weeks), what are some routines/methods/techniques in promoting a soft mouth?

Thanks,

Dre

Give him a couple of ice cubes here and there. They work great for pain and teething.
My dog went nuts when I snapped the tray up and they popped.
But now I have a refrig. dispenser and when they hear that they come running now.ha.
But, get a kong, I used the puppy and then graduated her with age to a strong one. They are great and look
alive when you roll them along the ground. Get her refocused on something else.
Takes some time, don't give up.

Beetree -- I don't know what you mean.   An edit by Uglydog under my avitar ????

I went through the same thing with my female.  I had holes in all my clothes.  My hands had alot of bandaids all over them and the guys in my police dept looked at me like I was on drugs with all the small "needle teeth" marks.  They seem to grow out of it all of a sudden.  Not sure what triggered it but it did.  I always took a pop can with a few coins in it for noise and when she started biting I would shake it and tell her no.  When she would stop I would tell her yes and reward her.  Good luck and I feel your pain.  If you are going into Schutzhund training, redirect the bite into something that will help down that road.  They will learn there is a time and place for it and not on your skin.

Lukas just seemed to grow out of it. Even if I tempt him he doesn't put a tooth on me, and when he does, it's surprisingly soft. But he was gawd aweful when he was 2 months old, now 4 and a half months I've still got scars all up and down my arm. When he did, I put him behind the puppy gate and he would cry and cry and cry,  (and that's his worst problem. Everytime we leave the house just to stand on the front porch he yelps like crazy.)  When he stoped crying while I was ignoring him, we started playing again. I think it was getting our shelter pup Sophie that put an end to his chompers really. But now that he's teething, he bites her more than anything because she steals all the toys and stashes them in hiding places all around the backyard. Not only that but we got him way too early at 5 weeks old. She taught him some manners.

That is part of the territory especially with a high drive gsd.  Are you wanting to do any Sch work with this pup?  The reason I ask, is my pup was the same way but I was looking for a drivey pup.  I only corrected her with my children and wife, I was fair game.  I wanted her to learn there is a time and place and with my fam- wasn't it.  With me however, I took the abuse and it has paid off.  She has no inhibition when it comes to bite work.  I would suggest getting a tug and working with her, or even a ball for that matter.  Put her in a crate or leash her and have someone help you.  Kind of throw the tug around a bit and get her interest peaked.  Then when she barks, move it.  Use that natural prey drive. 

It is all about redirecting.  She is still young enough.  Also, you don't want to skip to many meals but use her food drive (assuming she is high in that as well).  My pup has a special, cheap allbeit, rug that she will lay on.  I waited either until just a bit before her meal time and then I would lay the rug out.  When she touched the rug, I would say good and toss a treat onto the rug.  When she went to get it I would use a command ("place" in english is what I used).  If she is nippy, which my dog was, I always used obedience to redirect.  You will take a few hits but that is part of owning a drivey dog.  I would even feed her most of her food out of your hand doing obedience.  I would put the leash on so she can't get away.  I would do downs, sits, stands, spin left/spin right(to teach her to use her back end).  Anything you want her to know.  It will get better so be patient.  My pup was an alligator!!!  I kid you not.  My wife hated her, still doesn't love her to pieces.  Also, might I suggest a PRONG collar!  So much easier to give a quick correction.  Her larynx with thank you.

I have no clue if any of this will help you or if this is what you are looking to do but, I did it with mine and it worked.  Much success to you!

Well, I am not wanting to do Schutzhund -- just want a nice, loving pet who is protective if the need should arise.   However, right now he is driving me insane.  I just went out to play ball with him.   He didn't want to go after the ball -- instead he was after me and biting my legs (I wear tall Rubber Boots to protect my ankles and feet from him).   So, now he doesn't even try to bite my feet -- he bites me ABOVE the top of the boot and it REALLY, REALLY hurts.   So, I just walked away from him to come back in the house and was dragging him the entire way because he was hanging onto my pants leg.   He is so out-of-control -- I don't know what to do.   At what age can I enroll him in SERIOUS obedience training?   He is getting his final shot on Wednesday.   Up to this point, the Vet advised me NOT to take him around other dogs or stores such as Pet Smart, etc., until he had all his shots.