Bite inhibition

[Zoom]

Sawyer loves to play and I love to play with him, but he's got a problem with play biting. He ALWAYS plays with an open mouth. Part of the problem I know is his doggie buddies and how rough they always play. He does understand "no teeth" and will chill for a couple of seconds, but the moment you start playing with him again, the teeth are right back. Occasionally he knows that he can't keep his mouth to himself and will grab his toy to hold while he plays. But how else can I get him to not bite? It's not so much that it bothers me or Daniel, but if he starts playing with anyone else, I'm afraid they won't quite understand and freak out.

[Doberluv]

Has he stopped the majority of his biting down hard on you and chewing hard on you? (puppy stuff) Some people teach their dogs bite inhibition along the way and don't completely disallow their dogs to mouth on them. I do it a little differently so you might rather take someone else's way. But here's what I do because I do believe in teaching bite inhibition. With my Doberman, as an example because he's my most recent pup, now two yrs. old, I started out discouraging him from setting his teeth on me at all because as a young pup, I felt that the lessons coming from me would be more confusing if I didn't make a clear distinction. Later, when he got a wee bit older and wiser, stopped mouthing, chewing and biting on me, I would instigate a little gentle play where I stuck my hand or fingers right in his mouth. By this time he understood better that he could indeed hurt me and was careful. If he made a mistake and chomped down too hard, I'd yell, "ouuuuuch!" and he knew he was too hard. He also knows the word, "gentle" and respects that, not only with me, but with my Chihuahuas. I play with him this way from time to time to keep it fresh in his mind. Once in a while, he'll get excited when we're doing agility....if I praise him too wildly and he'll leap up and grab my arm just a little too roughly. Ouuuuuuu! He gets a little exuberant sometimes. LOL.

[Zoom]

He doesn't really bite hard, it's just that he likes to leap at my arm with an open mouth, so it's more of the velocity behind it than any actual jaw force. I've only had him for three months and he's a year and a half old rescue. And sometimes he will grab my hand, but that's usually when he's really worked up and it's a comfort thing. It's only for a second or two, then he lets go. I think he understands "be nice" towards other dogs, which is good because he has an obsession with small dogs.

[Doberluv]

Well, this is what I was describing with my Dobe, but he only does it when I get too excitable and encourage him. When he hits me with his teeth, I yell, "Ooouuuieeee! Leave it!" LOL. I let him know it really hurts and he seems to get it and back off. He does know, "leave it" and "no bite." I normally do NOT play roughly with my Doberman. It's only when he's just done some marvelous feat in his practice, either obedience or agility and then he gets too wild. So, the only thing you can do is not get too wild with your dog and/or teach him to lay off by letting him know it really really hurts (exaggerate your painful cries) and telling him "no bite." Does he know what that means? You can stop playing or paying any attention to him for a couple of minutes after you've cried out in pain.

You can also have some treats in your pocket and entice him to play but not too wildly. When he comes near you but does manage to keep his teeth off you, give him a treat. Try showing him the difference between hitting you with his teeth and not.

[bridey_01]

I continue to practice play fighting with all of my dogs as they mature. I teach them that human skin is insanely fragile and anything other than the gentlest touch will kill me! So, they can be as wild as they like,but if I feel those teeth too much they have to go into an instant down and playtime ends.