[Cyn]

I have a 5 month old Shepherd/Samoyed cross he is a great puppy except when he gets excited then he barks and lunges, bites and nips. We have only had him for a month now and have recently started puppy training. I have read so many things online and tried the tips our trainer has given about how to stop this and nothing I have done seems to work. Anybody out there can give me more ideas on what to do. At the moment the only thing I can do is put him in his kennel for a few minutes. He does seem to be spending a lot of time in there and I know its not fair but am desperate.

 

[JohnTruthman]

I assume you've tried the standard exaggerated cry of pain when bit or nipped? If that isn't working I would try immediately slapping a muzzle on him then into the kennel for one or two minutes of 'no play' time. That is all the time it will take to make your point then repeat as necessary.

Remember he's a puppy and perseverence is necessary. A lengthy stay in the kennel does not teach anything - its the repetition.

 

[petpeeve]

Slapping a muzzle on an otherwise well-behaved 5 month puppy who's nipping due to excitement, is just unneccessary overkill ... don'tcha think ?

There are more reasonable ways of 'making your point' ... clearly and easily ... without actually resorting to that.

 

[Gally]

Read http://www.dogforums.com/first-time-dog-owner/8377-bite-stops-here.html It has great advice for teaching bite inhibition.

A month is not long at all. Stay consistent and he will learn eventually but it takes time.

 

[Greater Swiss]

Do you have any idea what is setting off the lunging biting and nipping or the excessive excitement? Is it a particular tone of voice, hand gestures, clothing? Is it a particular time of day? Caeda, even when we got her pretty good with no nipping, would get nippy at night and at times that she probably should have been napping, so she would be kind of grumpy and "lose her manners" so to speak.
If there is a particular thing that sets it off you could try desensitizing to it. Caeda used to try to nip at hands moving around her face, so I started with a treat in one hand, and moving the other hand around her head (sometimes touching sometimes not), and treating her if she didn't try to nip. Also doing a couple of obedience commands while she was excited seemed to calm her a bit and get her brain working again. There's rev-up cool down exercises in a sticky that might help too.

 

[hanksimon]

After you read what Gally wrote on Bite Inhibition -

Some Tweaks to Bite Inhibition (to get her to stop biting when she wants to play):
1. When the pup bites, then yelp. It should sound about like what the pup does when you step on its paw... don't step on her paw for a sample . When you yelp, the pup should startle briefly and stop nipping. Praise and pet. SHe'll bite.
2. When she bites the second time, Yelp. When she stops, praise and pet. SHe'll nip again, although it may be a little gentler. ...
3. When she bites a third time, Yelp (see a pattern?). But this time, turn your back for 15 - 30 secs. If she comes around and play bows or barks, then that is an apology. This is important. Accept it, praise and pet... and cringe in expectation of the next nip...
4. When she bites the 4th time, Yelp, then leave the area, placing her in a 2 min. time-out. It is better if you can leave, rather than moving her. Then, return and interact. (SHe's still hungry...)
5. When she nips the fifth time, yelp, and leave the area, stopping interaction for now.

Pups need to sleep over night in order to learn their lessons. So, keep doing this for 3 days. By the third day, you should notice significant Bite Inhibition. SHe may still nip, but it will be softer and she won't draw blood. Keep up the training and make sure that everyone yelps.... Very powerful method.

If you learn the technique, then you can apply the "yelp" to other circumstances, also. I believe that "yelp" is "Please don't do that, I don't like it." in dog communication. I currently use the yelp when my dog plays tug, then runs with the toy, when he fetches and keeps it out of reach or when he takes a treat too quickly....