How can I train my pups to not bite when they play with each other?

Question

I have a Boston Terrier and a Black Lab/ German Shepherd mix and they play really rough and are always mouthing each other and sometimes my lab gets a little too rough with my Boston. I try and continuously get after them both for biting each other but they are not making any progression. I am afraid that they're going to think it's ok to bite anyone when they grow up so I want it fixed while they are still puppies. Does anyone have some training suggestions?

Answer 1

dont worry too much unless they are punchering skin. If they do cause blood get a muzzle and use it as a punishment for biting. If they do not draw blood it may just be trying to show who's the dominant one and then you will need to be much more dominant to prevent attacks. (if the case is dominance try watching dog whisperer by Cesar Millan)

Answer 2

they are just playing

thats how they play

now if they start biting you , thats when you need to do something

Answer 3

Leave them alone, let them play.

If you try to stop it, you'll just confuse them.

Answer 4

It is actually counterproductive to try and stop them from play-biting each other.  They learn to "soft-bite" from this activity, which is extremely important for social behaviors as an adult.  If dogs don't learn to "soft-bite" then they can be overly aggressive with other dogs as adults.  Adult dogs often play by soft-biting and wrestling.  It's natural and healthy and gives them a lot of enjoyment.

That said, they definitely need to know that biting people is not ok.  Assuming they are being trained not to bite people, then you should allow them to continue playing with one another.  They DO know the difference between other dogs and people, so just because it's okay to bite each other, doesn't mean they will automatically assume it's okay to bite EVERYONE.

If you notice their play getting really rough and one of them actually gets hurt, use a spray bottle or something noisy to distract them.  This helps them realize that playing too rough means playtime is over.  When one of them bites the other too hard, the other will probably yelp and try to get away.  That's good.  Just make sure the aggressor doesn't pursue the victim!  

Answer 5

Puppies will deal differently with each other than they will with humans. My dogs still play bite each other and they have never bitten a person. The only time you need to be worried is if they are actually fighting, like growling and snarling and attacking each other, or if they bite people.

Answer 6

That's just how dogs play they will let each other know when it gets to rough.  

Answer 7

thats how puppies play only discipline if they nip a human.

But dont try to adjust how they play, because thats part of a pups normal development.  

They are establishing the hierarchy of dominance.

They would not understand what you are trying to get them to not do.  Its just in their nature to have these scraps.

You should only get involved if blood flows.

Answer 8

This is normal canine behavior..especially in playing with other pack mates. This is acceptable as long as it does not get too rough and they also do not display this with humans at all. It's good that you supervise them and if the energy level gets too rough , as the pack leader you can give them a break or a time out. As far as interaction with humans, when they do "mouth" you, give a quick Yelp as if it hurt, then grab their muzzle for a firm NO correction.  

Answer 9

I wouldn't worry to much about it, that is how puppies play. As long as they are not hurting each other, they should be fine. When my Basset Hounds were puppies they did this and they still occasionally wrestle. As long as tails are wagging and no one is getting hurt... they should be just fine. Just make sure they are not actually fighting.

Answer 10

Thats just how puppys play. I dont think you well be able to teach them not too play with each other, If they start play biting you or another human and you can stop them, and they well understand that they dont bite people. But when they get older they grow out of that stage and they wont got play biting every dog they get around. Its like Baby elephants when shove there faces together like they have tusks and young antelope butting there little horns together. its all in good fun. And if one of them get hurts it well make a yelp noise and not want too play anymore and then the other one well pick up usually the he/she got too ruff and well leave the other one alone in till it wants too play again. but the only way i can think of too keep your puppys from play biting each other is too keep them away from each other

Answer 11

dont try to stop it when they are puppies and they realize that when piting them it really hurts they will stop biting when they are older

Answer 12

That's part of the learning process of a dog. They play rough and bite each other. It defines the position they're going to have when they reach adulthood.

The problem is that a human decided to put them to live in urban environment.  

Answer 13

they are play-fighting. it's their natural instinct that makes them do that.{they were descended from wolves} it's what they do. now if one of them bites you. then you need to stop that. but right now as puppies that's perfectly normal!!!!!  

Answer 14

Since they're both young and their is a size difference, you should always be supervising their play. When you notice them getting to rough clap your hands loudly and tell them to "play nice." Keep doing this over and over... it will probably take weeks but eventually they will learn the words "play nice" so all you have to do after that is just tell them it. And eventually they will learn you don't want them to play that rough. I did it this way with mine, clapped my hands and said "uh uh" and now I just have to start saying "uh.." and they calm down.

Answer 15

If your puppies are just play biting, I wouldn't worry.  Puppies develop these social skills when they were really young.  So when they've gone too far and the other puppy yelps, the puppy knows to stop.  If he doesn't stop and your other puppy is yelping, then this may be a behavioral issue.  Dogs can tell the difference between other dogs and humans...just as long as you teach him not to bite you even in a playful way, you should be fine.  That's just how dogs play.

Answer 16

i have 2 black lab puppies...8 and 12 weeks old. the only thing i can say is you have to devote alot of time to them as pups, so they learn right from wrong. some people think it's cruel, but when you see them in the act, you've got to use a stern voice, and give em a good pat. another thing someone told me is to apply a little pressure on their tongues when they bite(which im not sure about, seeing as mine are fairly quick learners)

Answer 17

Since this is normal dog behavior I suggest you back off and let them play.This play does not mean they are going to think its ok to bite a human.You must draw the line and not ever allow them to mouth you in any way,always have a toy handy to shove in there mouths when they are around you.Please note that by interfering in there play and not getting any reaction you are lowering your role as alpha.If you want to stop them then you must follow through with it and STOP them.Make them stop playing when you give the  command. Separate them with your hands make them sit nice and calm then release them with a ok go play command.You must always be able to control there actions specially with two of them.With mine they know knock it off means there playing to hard at that point it usually means furniture is being moved because they ares so big and rough with each other.So I calm them them down by making them come sit by me or go to there crates which ever I decided to tell them,I then allow them to go back to playing.They know it is only when and if I allow it. Its these little things that add up to a well rounded obedient dog.Tilks Mom

Answer 18

Watch the pooches play. When one yips, the other has probably bit him, even though you don't see it. If you see one bite, give the pup a flick on the nose, so much that their eyes squint a bit, and they flinch. If you can't do this, spray them with water from a hairspraying bottle. Some dogs love water, most hate it. They'll realize why they're being punished sooner or later.

Also, picking up the dogs, coming face to face, firmly say "No. BAD." and giving them a flick on the nose will really help, and in the future, when you say abd, they'll know "Uh-oh. Better stop what I'm doing.

Good luck!

Answer 19

yah this is normal for puppies thats how they play. if you keep trying to stop them from play fighting they might become meener when there older.

good luck with you dogs and have fun!!!

Answer 20

Puppies play like that. Sometimes it sounds like they're going to kill each other. If you watch them closely, you'll recognize when things are getting out of hand. If that happens, a loud, stern HEY or NOOOOO should stop it.

Answer 21

if they are still puppies  dont worry they will grow out of that....puppies chew everything..so hide your underwear unless ya want it dragged out when ya have a house full of company...dont ask how i know  lol...if they are grown dogs then that is different ....but mounthing and biting are diffrent  if they are bleeding then thats bad  but if they are not then its just the way they play together,,,good luck