Puppy Biting...What should I do?

Again, what I do is this
 
eh eh, no bite
replace my body part with a toy they can chew on and say
THIS is to bite
then praise for chewing on the right thing.
 
I do not have ONE pup at a time, but rather litters of pups and I manage to stay intact by doing it this way.
 
Honestly, the BIGGEST correction I've ever seen a momma dog do is a nose nudge.  They typically just walk away.  Or give persistent pups "the look".

They typically just walk away.  Or give persistent pups "the look".

Does "the look work" when humans do it?  I have been told never stare into a dogs eyes.  Is this true for puppies?

The hardest problem I am having with walking away, is that Hercules seems very independant and will usually just go find something else to play with, therefor it doesn't always seem to be very effective...Any thoughts?

ORIGINAL: adogwhisperer
MinnMonkey, great to see the relationship you're building with your pup. By stopping the unwanted behavior, you are showing the pup your leadership position, just like his mom. I probably would not put something else in his mouth. The pup might see this as a reward for biting. Best way is to correct, give him something else to do, then praise. Won't be long the pup will respect you and want to please the pack leader.

As far as the running away, yelping, etc., that may be what other pups in a litter might do but it's not what mom would do. She would teach respect by stopping the behavior. You don't want your pup to see you as an equal, you want him to see you as his leader and teacher.......his mom. 

Also I believe a time out is too harsh for a young pup. He sees that as being abandoned by his pack. There is nothing more frightening for a young dog.

Just my 2 cents worth. Enjoy that pup.

 
Adogwhisperer, with all due respect, where are you getting your information? Have you observed a mother dog with her litter? Have you read any texts on animal behavior? Nothing in your post makes sense based on what people currently know about dog behavior. Why would an appropriate chew toy be a reward for biting people but "doing something else" would not? Why would a squirt of water be perceived by a puppy as a fair correction by a mother dog but social rejection for socially inappropriate behavior be the most frightening and harsh thing in the world? Can you back this up with any factual information?

Does "the look work" when humans do it? I have been told never stare into a dogs eyes. Is this true for puppies?

The hardest problem I am having with walking away, is that Hercules seems very independant and will usually just go find something else to play with, therefor it doesn't always seem to be very effective...Any thoughts?

Staring in a dogs eyes is a dominant thing to do. Very effective and necessary at times when I need to reinforce my position with my dogs. Glenmar is right about momma dog giving the look. It is used by a dominant dog to show dominance over followers. If you do this, you must wait till he looks away first.  Eye contact it not something you want to do to a dog you just met or a dog that might have dominance issues. They may see it as a challenge or threat.

If momma dog wants to stop a pup from doing a certain behavior, she will usually start with a mild response and escalate if needed to get her point across. She may first just ignore, then a turn toward the pup with eye contact, then a quick move toward the pup, she may growl, if these things still don't work (but they usually do), she may quickly nudge or push the pup with her mouth open and include a growl or bark. She may require the pup to assume a submissive posture.

Also, if you walked away and the pup leaves you to go to find something else to play with, you won. Congratulations.

Since soooo many people here post that mommas scruff their young, etc, I've made a major point of watching them closely.  I have never seen that behavior in any of my own mommas nor in the litters that I have fostered.  The MOST correction I've ever seen is a nudge.  No growls, no scruffing, just a quick nudge...and not with her mouth open.  And pretty gentle nudges at that.  I've seen mommas walk away, ignore and give the look too, but that's it.
 
I guess that there must be a fine line between a stare and a gaze.  It is not at all uncommon for whatever dog is laying on the sofa with me and I to share a loving gaze.....
 
I do agree tho that it isn't about punishing your pup when you walk away or even if you use the dreaded spray bottle....its about distracting him so that the undesired behavior stops.  Do you think that if a littermate walks away from his brother who is biting too hard that the brother than goes into a funk?  Nope, he finds someone else to bother, or something else to do.

I have read several sorces that say you should use a spary bottle, even our vet and trainer has recommended it.  So who do I believe?  Where do I get reliable information?

But here, I am finding a pretty large concenses that the water bottle should be a last resort, or not at all, and then only after a few more months of trying.

Walking away works fine when in the house but what about when we are outside and on walks?

I live in an urban setting and Hercules needs to be on a leash when outside.  I have tried ignoring him but he continutes to bite/chew, and I cannot walk away from him.  Chew toys work for a bit, but he will come back after me after shortly after.  If there is a bench nearby I will sit down and bring my feet on the bench so he can't reach me, but a bench is not always available.

Sorry for the long post, but I just want to make sure I am doing everything I possibly can to ensure this puppy has the best life possible.

you have to realize it won't go away overnight. His biting will first stop being so painful, then it will fade away altogether. He's trying to play with you in the only way he knows how, and you're responding by doing something unpleasant to him. Not a good way to start off developing a good relationship with your dog.
Put a long line on him for safety, and take him out. Once he potties, whip out a toy and have a good hard game to satisfy his urge to play. If he hits your body in any way with teeth during the game, really scream out in pain, overdo it, pretend he took your entire arm off, and stop the game instantly. Let go the toy and turn away. Only after you've had a good game take him for a walk. At his age walks should be very short and play sessions very frequent. It helps A LOT to find other dogs to play with him. Their communications about how hard is too hard to bite are much clearer to puppies than human-talk. Just leaving pups with the litter two extra weeks (take him home at 10 weeks instead of the traditional makes an amazing difference to the puppy-biting problem.

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy
Just leaving pups with the litter two extra weeks (take him home at 10 weeks instead of the traditional makes an amazing difference to the puppy-biting problem.

I completely agree with that, but he was abandoned at the humane society at 6 weeks.  I know I have my work cut out for me, and that I have to be both his mother and littermates, but I know it will be completely worth it.  It already has been.

As far as finding correct information...were do people recommend I turn to?

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy
you have to realize it won't go away overnight.

I realize the problems will not go away overnight.  I just want to know that what I am doing is right for the puppy.  And the feedback I have gotten so far has been extreamly helpful!  Thanks and keep it coming!

Here are a few good books that might help a bit...
 
The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell
Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
 
I know what you're saying, it can be hard to sort things out on the internet, especially when it comes to dog training. But the above books are great and have helped a lot of people.

"correct" information. Loaded term. A huge body of scientific study on modification of animal behavior has been done over the past century. Certain animal trainers choose to ignore this body of information.
You might want to start by reading Karen Pryor's Don't shoot the dog, and Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson.
[linkhttp://www.leerburg.com/articles.htm]http://www.leerburg.com/articles.htm[/link]  has a bunch of interesting, easy to read articles. Be careful when you read his stuff because he comes from a background of using really brutal methods to "train" hard tough attack dogs, and this background has leaked over into his current approach. But his warnings about when and when not to use corrections, and much of his puppy-raising tips, are well thought out and well explained.

Thanks Jones and Mudpuppy!  I really do appreciate all the feedback I am getting here, this site has been my best resource so far, and even though everyone has different opinions, I really like hearing them all.

I think I am going to stop using the spray bottle for the time being.  I am sure everyone here would agree with me that it is hard being patient when you have a dog bitting your feet, but in the long run, I feel I will be a much more patient person in general after I make it through the puppy phase.

Right now I am at work and I really cannot wait to get home and see him, even if it means more bites and scratches.

The most help is the re-assurance that this is normal behavior, and will go away with proper training and time.

puppy owners should always carry a squeaky toy, a pocket full of treats, and a few band-aids.
If you can catch him BEFORE he goes for you with those needle-sharp teeth and offer the toy for a fun game, that's the best approach.

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy
and a few band-aids.

LOL! I hear you on that one!

Good to hear you're stopping the water bottle...Mudpuppy and Glenda have given you some GREAT advice...Just remember it's a baby it will get better..My furchild would bite at me till I was black and blue...She is now a wonderful dog a joy to be around..I wish you well with your pup