New pup has sharp lil problem

[Frogd]

Got the new pup a week ago and is now 8 weeks old. Doing great with the crate and picking things up fast, but is getting me in trouble with the wife because he loves to nibble on us. I keep trying to work with him but only seem to be making him worse with it all. He's not aggressive biting, just playing, but I can't seem to find his off switch with it. I've tried switching him over to a chewtoy but he just spits it out and heads back after fingers or toes, or whatever he can reach. I try the 'yip' technique and get mixed results depending on how hyper he is when I try it. Tried the vets suggestion about using a spray bottle...talk about reinforcing bad behavior, he couldn't get enough! Wife's becoming afraid of my lil brown bundle of joy and frustration never helps anything. Looking for good suggestions from the pros, what methods work best to stop lil nibblers?

[Lisa S.]

Since you've already tried the "yip" technique and it's not working, I'd switch to the momma dog technique. When he's chewing on you give him a quick shake by the scruff of his neck with a low, growling "NO!".
Then lead him to another part of the room, maybe a spot with a blanket/mat on the floor (this will help teach him he has a safe place to chew) give him his chew toy or chew thing and pet him and say "good" while he is chewing.

Hope this helps.

[caglatz]

I agree with Lisa S. -- also rest assured in another two months he'll be losing his puppy teeth and once the adult teeth are in - should be less mouthy. In the interim, make sure you correct him with the "No's!" and scruff of neck or other technique. Basic manners and general (not formal) OB starts now.

[ErinsEdge]

If you are referring to the lip curl, I would just do it much harder.

[Dale]

Binaca breath spray.

[windycanyon]

I agree with Erin. My pup had this habit. I'd almost let her have my hand knowing she'd go after it. Once she did I'd grad the top of her muzzle and press her lips agaist her cheek and say NO sternly. After i'd put the hand she bit next to her face. If she'd bite I'd do it again, if she just sniffed it or licked I'd praise her. She got the idea.

That's what I do too-- starting at ~5 wks in the pen w/ the pups so hopefully their owners don't have to feel like the big meanies!
I've never had a hard mouth here either and I've often wondered if there was any correlation. Hang tough and maybe buy your wife some new leather gardening gloves for now???

[RemsBPJasper]

The best technique I've found is to put your thumb in their mouth and press down on their tongue just long enough to cause discomfort. I'm pretty sure I heard it on here. Try that for a bit and if it doesn't work, then do the scruff shake, that will almost always work, for lots of different things.

[Juli H]

I think sometimes the scruff shake can evoke a play/defensive response...
I prefer the lip rol, tongue depressor, or to pick the pup up by the chest so that his feet are not touching the floor....

Juli

[RemsBPJasper]

If done properly, the scruff shake should at least take pup's front feet off the ground. I take the scruff on either side of the neck/face and lift, give a quick stern shake and a stern "no." It's all in attitude, pup will try to play with you if he perceives you are trying to play with him.

[Bill Burks]

I just let them grow up.