Hank, stop biting! (how... do I be so firm with him?)

[bckrazy]

How much time does Hank spend with other dogs? At 8 months old, bite inhibition should be pretty solid.

I play biteyhands with my dogs all of the time... it's a good way to teach them how much bite pressure is too much. The key is that YOU start the play and YOU end it. If he tries to initiate play, he gets a complete cold shoulder. You can grab a tug toy or just use your hands, and engage him in play. The second mouthing becomes biting, you have to make a noise that makes your displeasure clear (a lot of puppies become desensitized to "No", so try yelping/screeching/growling at him instead) and end the play for a minute or so. If you're sitting, that means you will probably need to stand up and turn your back on him. Then initiate again, and repeat, repeat, repeat. Don't hit him on the nose, he could confuse that with you playing back, it's confusing.

I would also get him around friendly, well-adjusted adult dogs as much as possible. Let them correct his mouthiness (of course, as long as the corrections are fair).

[CountryWolf07]

How much time does Hank spend with other dogs? At 8 months old, bite inhibition should be pretty solid.

I play biteyhands with my dogs all of the time... it's a good way to teach them how much bite pressure is too much. The key is that YOU start the play and YOU end it. If he tries to initiate play, he gets a complete cold shoulder. You can grab a tug toy or just use your hands, and engage him in play. The second mouthing becomes biting, you have to make a noise that makes your displeasure clear (a lot of puppies become desensitized to "No", so try yelping/screeching/growling at him instead) and end the play for a minute or so. If you're sitting, that means you will probably need to stand up and turn your back on him. Then initiate again, and repeat, repeat, repeat. Don't hit him on the nose, he could confuse that with you playing back, it's confusing.

I would also get him around friendly, well-adjusted adult dogs as much as possible. Let them correct his mouthiness (of course, as long as the corrections are fair).

He plays quite a bit with the neighbor's dog next door - but that's about it. He is quite playful. He doesn't mean any harm at all - it's all in play. He has never gotten aggressive once... but, I am going to take him to a dog park soon eventually when I have time. I just need to find a good one around here. We do plan on getting another dog (me.. actually) since I am wanting my own. I think he honestly needs a playmate. I don't know when, though. If I was getting another - it'd be a male, and he would be already a year old or so...

You make completely sense about bopping on the nose, it does encourage him more, so I try to walk away and ignore him but he just keeps coming at me.. play pounce on my foot or anything to get my attention to play with him. I will stop doing that.

Again, he doesn't "know" me that well because I just moved back home from college - so I can understand it will be a bit of time for him to learn that I am also in charge, too as well, not just only my dad.

[Taz_Zoee]

I'm having a similar problem with Taggart "biting". He doesn't hurt, he just sort of mouths you. Now my problem is that is how Zoee and him play. They are constantly biting and pulling on each others necks. I'm sure he'll outgrow this behavior (he'll be a year old in May), but in the meantime I usually just grab his snout (gently) and give him a firm no (not yelling, just a really low no). Usually I do this a couple of times and he gets it. And this behavior from him is not constant, only when I assume my TV watching position. LOL
I keep trying to tell Zoee not to let him play like that with her, but she just doesn't listen to me.