Getting worried...

How old is he now?  After a certain age it's no longer cute, funny, or tolerable (pain-wise) and the dog needs to understand it is not allowed.  How you make him understand depends on your relationship with him and his temperament.  A stern scolding might be enough, a stiff correction, commanding an incompatible behavior (sit or down), immediately abandoning the dog and using social pressure, etc.  Puppies often need to be distracted with something that *is* appropriate to chew but at a certain point I think they do also need to understand that no means no when it comes to munching on mom.  I've also seen dogs do this b/c they are redirecting (they are nervous, anxious, or reactive about something and think oh I'll just chew on mom instead so I can avoid whatever is making me anxious and let my frustration out on her arms).  When Nikon gets out of hand while we are playing, I use a stern "No" and walk away.  It takes two to play the game (either with a toy or with your arm as the toy) so he sees that I am upset and that I'm leaving and the game is over.  The timing has to be right but it works for him and now just an "eh eh" is enough to remind him to keep it under control and we can keep playing.

Liesje

How old is he now?  After a certain age it's no longer cute, funny, or tolerable (pain-wise) and the dog needs to understand it is not allowed.  How you make him understand depends on your relationship with him and his temperament.  A stern scolding might be enough, a stiff correction, commanding an incompatible behavior (sit or down), immediately abandoning the dog and using social pressure, etc.  Puppies often need to be distracted with something that *is* appropriate to chew but at a certain point I think they do also need to understand that no means no when it comes to munching on mom.  I've also seen dogs do this b/c they are redirecting (they are nervous, anxious, or reactive about something and think oh I'll just chew on mom instead so I can avoid whatever is making me anxious and let my frustration out on her arms).  When Nikon gets out of hand while we are playing, I use a stern "No" and walk away.  It takes two to play the game (either with a toy or with your arm as the toy) so he sees that I am upset and that I'm leaving and the game is over.  The timing has to be right but it works for him and now just an "eh eh" is enough to remind him to keep it under control and we can keep playing.

He's almost 6 months. We've never let him get away with biting, and some days he hardly does it other days like tonight it takes him a while to stop. I will tell him 'no' in a stern tone and make him sit, he did but then he started jumping again. I will pull on his leash and give his leash a tug and tell him 'no' and sometimes he'll stop and then go right back to it, or he'll stop. He's a good dog aside from this. :-/

Liesje

I've also seen dogs do this b/c they are redirecting (they are nervous, anxious, or reactive about something and think oh I'll just chew on mom instead so I can avoid whatever is making me anxious and let my frustration out on her arms).

I just remembered this was after he saw a black plastic bag. It was dark out so he was cautious, I took him over to it, he sniffed it and I praised him. The second time we came around he seemed fine, took a pee and then started. Could this also just be extra energy he's trying to get out? I do play with him and take him on walks and try to keep him stimulated when he's out. :-/

Sounds like he was overtired. Puppies don't know when to QUIT - so whenever MY pups act like this - they go in a quiet room, usually their crate, with a bone for some relax/chill time.

How old is he? Isnt he still a puppy? Erm, no, I dont think he is being "dominant" at all. It sounds like he is being a rambunctious puppy.

Does he only do this when he is excited or on a walk? What I would do is, the second he even touches your clothes or skin with his teeth, STOP. Turn your back to him & completly ignore him. Wait until he stops or offers another behavior to get your attention, then continue walking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC_OKgQFgzw

erica1989

Sounds like he was overtired. Puppies don't know when to QUIT - so whenever MY pups act like this - they go in a quiet room, usually their crate, with a bone for some relax/chill time.

It could be this. He was still sleepy when I took him to eat dinner and take him on a small walk. I put him in his crate when I came back in.

Spazzy

How old is he? Isnt he still a puppy? Erm, no, I dont think he is being "dominant" at all. It sounds like he is being a rambunctious puppy.

Does he only do this when he is excited or on a walk? What I would do is, the second he even touches your clothes or skin with his teeth, STOP. Turn your back to him & completly ignore him. Wait until he stops or offers another behavior to get your attention, then continue walking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC_OKgQFgzw

 

Yeah he is and I do try to turn my back to him but he usually continues to bite and I can only handle the pain of him nipping at me for so long. :-/ I tried to have him sit and give him a treat but he wouldn't really stop except for twice. I'll check out that video now, thanks!

Edit: He usually just does this on walks. 

 All I can say is hes 6 months. Giving him back to the shelter doesn't solve the problem either, it just makes the new adoptee unaware of this issue. So he'll probably end up back at the shelter. Do you see the pattern? Not being harsh, but this is the #1 reason pups end up at the shelter.

tiffy

 All I can say is hes 6 months. Giving him back to the shelter doesn't solve the problem either, it just makes the new adoptee unaware of this issue. So he'll probably end up back at the shelter. Do you see the pattern? Not being harsh, but this is the #1 reason pups end up at the shelter.

Oh no trust me I don't see you as being harsh and this is why I don't want to give him up so easily. I do want to make it work and I'm going to try even harder than I already have to make sure he understands and we're both on the same page. 

Edit: Also I was just worried that this was more than just a puppy thing, that's why I was asking. :) Thanks for being honest though!

IME - we see most of our returns at this age. People get puppies when they are cute and little, and are not prepared AT ALL for what raising a puppy really entails. We've tweaked our adoption information - and are seeing less, and less returns. Education is the only way to keep these pups in their homes. We also offer free behavior counseling; does the shelter you got him from have something like that?

erica1989

IME - we see most of our returns at this age. People get puppies when they are cute and little, and are not prepared AT ALL for what raising a puppy really entails. We've tweaked our adoption information - and are seeing less, and less returns. Education is the only way to keep these pups in their homes. We also offer free behavior counseling; does the shelter you got him from have something like that?

I'll check to see if they have that, I never even though of them having it. Thanks!

 Sounds like an overstimulated puppy, to me. I wouldn't worry about it, except to try to avoid it in the future. You can work on a calming protocol (Karen Overall has a GREAT one you can Google for), and you SHOULD, starting now. It won't be effective on walks, immediately, but... Soon, you'll be able to chill him out with a word and a touch, and it's a fantastic tool to have in your toolbox.

jennie_c_d

 Sounds like an overstimulated puppy, to me. I wouldn't worry about it, except to try to avoid it in the future. You can work on a calming protocol (Karen Overall has a GREAT one you can Google for), and you SHOULD, starting now. It won't be effective on walks, immediately, but... Soon, you'll be able to chill him out with a word and a touch, and it's a fantastic tool to have in your toolbox.

I'll check that out thanks! :D What would cause him to be so overstimulated? Is it just everything outside or something? 

 Life. He's 5 months old!!! LOL It seems to happen, later in the day. They're just tired and cranky, like little kids. They don't know what to do with themselves, so they act out.