We have a 5 and 1/2 month old lab terrier mix puppy. My wife was talking to a co-worker about our ongoing play biting problem with the dog. The co-worker kind of put a fear into my wife. She said that you better get a firm grip on him now or he will continue to play bite when he grows up. The co-worker already has control of her pup. When her pup play bites, she yells "NO!" and points to the pup with her finger. Her pup immediately stops play biting.
I'm not sure about her advice. I always thought that the "Ouch! No bite." and walk away method is the best way and I still believe that. I think that one of our problems is that we don't consistently practice the Ouch, no bite method. Several times, my wife or son will shout "No bite" and then stare at the dog. I myself may be to blame because sometime I get a little rambunctious with the pup and allow some play biting. I would get on the floor and lift his front legs up by lifting him up by the chest. He would try to bite my hand and I would try to move my hand a little to make my hand harder to reach. Sometimes he gets my hand and sometimes he doesn't. The good news is that he has bite inhibition.
I'd appreciate your opinion on the co-worker's advice. Do we need to get less tolerant of the play biting. Should we be somewhat tolerant because of the pup's age?
I'm not sure about her advice. I always thought that the "Ouch! No bite." and walk away method is the best way and I still believe that. I think that one of our problems is that we don't consistently practice the Ouch, no bite method. Several times, my wife or son will shout "No bite" and then stare at the dog. I myself may be to blame because sometime I get a little rambunctious with the pup and allow some play biting. I would get on the floor and lift his front legs up by lifting him up by the chest. He would try to bite my hand and I would try to move my hand a little to make my hand harder to reach. Sometimes he gets my hand and sometimes he doesn't. The good news is that he has bite inhibition.
I'd appreciate your opinion on the co-worker's advice. Do we need to get less tolerant of the play biting. Should we be somewhat tolerant because of the pup's age?