[ycMC0PLg]

Biting is a completely natural way for puppies to learn about their environment, so although it should be discouraged as it is not an acceptable behaviour in an adult - some leeway should be given. Puppies need to learn bite inhibition - they need to learn how hard they can bite before it hurts. A puppy that is never allowed to bite will not have the chance to learn this, and if, when it's an adult dog, it ever feels the need to bite... it may well bite much harder than it means to.

Here is a great article on the subject by the legend Ian Dunbar: http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discu...c=64170.0;wap2

Basically you want to do it in stages. To begin with, allow biting as long as it is not painful biting. As soon as the biting gets painful, say "owww", stop the game and let the puppy calm down.
Once the puppy has learned not to deliver painful bites, then repeat the process when it bites with pressure.
Then you want to work on decreasing the frequency of mouthing, but the article explains all that

Hope this helps, and good luck with the pup!

[bonyclayd]

My girlfriend has got a new puppy and it keeps nipping and biting in excitement, not to actually bite just playing I think. He also does it when hes given a treat because he gets so excited about it and he has sharp teeth!!

Any tips for how to train him to stop doing this?

[Dr. Shon Thomson]

As above really. When we took Skye to puppy classes they said if it got painful just say "OW!" really loudly. She learnt very quickly.

What breed of puppy is it?

I'd highly recommend signing up to local puppy and socialisation / training classes if possible, I found them an amazing wealth of information and it was fantastic for Skye to meet so many other dogs as well as for me to get training help.

[oplapofffe]

Totally agree with FF, a puppy needs to learn what is acceptable and what is not, in general ignore the unwanted and praise the good behaviour, they're bright and will soon learn.

[Desflahd]

I agree with everything you guys said.
If you are playing with the puppy and it suddenly bites really hard, you just have to express pain and it will know. I know that from experience because once you say "ouch", the dog will stop.
But also puppies need to bite things to strengthen their growing teeth or their gums itch.

[mikefertynnz]

Dogs bite strangers or unfamiliar faces maybe a rehab would be good for them. But I try to avoid my dogs on placing them on their cages if they get nasty.

[inve.tment]

I use bitter bite. It tastes awful, and I spray it on everything that the puppy is not allowed to chew on. This really seems to help a bit.