How to teach a softer play bite to a 3 year old.

Piper · 11-07-2012, 12:10 PM

My German shepherd is just about 3 and is very friendly and playful. She likes to wrestle and play bite. She doesn't bite hard but I'm afraid with my friends all having kids now that it will be too hard for them. What's the best way to turn the play bites even softer?
Thanks.

Piper · 11-07-2012, 12:19 PM

Just realized I was in the wrong section as I posted this. Feel free to move to teaching section.
Thanks.

huntergreen · 11-08-2012, 01:31 PM

imho, the best thing is to teach no bitting humans at all, even while playing.

SueDoNimm · 11-08-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntergreen

imho, the best thing is to teach no bitting humans at all, even while playing.

What's the best way to do that?

fuzzybunny · 11-08-2012, 03:40 PM

You could try yelping like he hurt you and stop playing with him (get up and walk away). For me though, the yelping seemed to always make him go after me more. I ended up just saying no biting firmly whenever he bit and then I would stop playing and he got the point.

Blanketback · 11-08-2012, 05:45 PM

I play soft biting games and wrestle with my dogs, but I would never ever allow other people to, especially young children. You know when to stop, you can read your dog, and you can keep it fun. Other people won't, so please reconsider this idea.

11-07-2012, 12:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Piper Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 51	How to teach a softer play bite to a 3 year old. My German shepherd is just about 3 and is very friendly and playful. She likes to wrestle and play bite. She doesn't bite hard but I'm afraid with my friends all having kids now that it will be too hard for them. What's the best way to turn the play bites even softer? Thanks.

11-08-2012, 03:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
fuzzybunny Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa Posts: 2,347	You could try yelping like he hurt you and stop playing with him (get up and walk away). For me though, the yelping seemed to always make him go after me more. I ended up just saying no biting firmly whenever he bit and then I would stop playing and he got the point. __________________ Carolyn Jazz, Shiloh Shepherd, 3 yrs old, CGC HIC Bunny, GSD X, 6 years old

11-07-2012, 12:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Piper Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 51	Just realized I was in the wrong section as I posted this. Feel free to move to teaching section. Thanks.

11-08-2012, 01:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
huntergreen Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,197	imho, the best thing is to teach no bitting humans at all, even while playing.

11-08-2012, 05:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Blanketback Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,372	I play soft biting games and wrestle with my dogs, but I would never ever allow other people to, especially young children. You know when to stop, you can read your dog, and you can keep it fun. Other people won't, so please reconsider this idea.

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