Charlie our 9 month old chocolate is still biting, I know labs are mouthy but he is more like chompy. Usually when tired or over stimulated but sometimes just because, lol. I have many a bruise from his nips. Any suggestions? I reward good behaviour and encourage "kisses" and "nice" , he seems to know what I want from him, but when he wants to bite not much helps but walking away.
I am no expert but perhaps those nips ARE his kisses. Maybe he sees you as one of the pack, ie another dog. If it were me I would go back to puppy basics and try standing and crossing my arms and looking away then when he backs off praise. 9 months is still very young so I think it will go if you are persistent. Positive reward based training is good, in my opinion. My dog has started licking my ears (15 months) which sounds nice but is a bit freaky too!
He is an adolescent dog. They are difficult. I honestly believe it is best if dog's are taught that human flesh I'd a definite "NO". It is very easy for licks etc to get out of hand or be misinterpreted by others. Going back to puppy days and removing your self and attention from him when he nips seems a sensible way to go.
I tend to agree to back off on the encouraging "kisses", at least for now. It's too easy for an excitable teenage dog to misinterpret the subtleties of "yes, kisses" and "no biting!" Going back to basics and completely ignoring and turning away from jumping up and nips is a good idea. He will get the idea, and he will grow out of this, but in the meantime you have to help him understand that doggy mouths must not contact human skin.
I agree - especially as the way friendly dogs play with each other is a game of 'bitey face' I would keep him well away from your face until he's a steady adult Tatze and Gypsy playing bitey face - .
Yes I agree with the no touching skin or kisses. It's important to be absolutely consistent on this because dogs are hopeless at putting things in context. My lab, Lady, was a nightmare with mouthing. We took her on at 6 months old and had a considerable uphill battle that only really bottomed out when she reached her 3rd birthday. We learned the hard way that the only way was consistency and absolutely no mouthing or nipping permitted. One problem we had which I think is pretty common is that play quickly gets out of hand and the dog has to learn where the boundaries of acceptable behaviour are. Friends need to know this too as they can undo in a moment all your hard work. My son-in-law still pays for ignoring us on this point even now as Lady assaults him every time she sees him. I have no sympathy. Good luck and enjoy your lovely pup!
