Puppy biting/ Puppy friend

[JYJ12]

Hi there,

We got our German Shepherd Mix, Yazhi, 2.5 weeks ago. He just turned 12 weeks. He is a really smart pup. He already knows sit, stay, lay down, leave it (if I leave a treat by his paws, he won't get it until I tell him it's okay), shake, kiss, crate up, and roll over.

The only thing that we have a problem with is the biting. We have a million toys and bones for him around the house (along with the chew for his teeth he gets once a day and pig ear 1-2 times a day), but he always wants to go for our hands, the couch, the tables, etc. etc. I also give him plenty of exercise throughout the day. Even though some people recommend not to walk puppies this young, I feel Yazhi would go completely crazy without the walks. They are quick, 15 min ones, 3 times a day. We don't have a back yard yet (coming in a week or two) so this is pretty much the only way to get him exercise. Sometimes they are longer when we find trails around us. We have the bitter apple spray which seems to work sometimes. The reason I thought it would be good to teach him kiss... was to offset the biting on our hands, but that rarely works. I'm tired of all the scratches on my hands/arms/shoulders/legs and sometimes face from his little dagger teeth! haha. Anyone have any suggestions for getting him to not bite?

Also, we thought about getting another puppy... either around his age or a year or two older than him (still in puppy phase though). We thought maybe he needs another pup to play with... Maybe the older could be a good role model for him?
I know that having two puppies around the same age is double the trouble. I just want to get some opinions about it.
It also worries me that if we get a bigger pup, he/she may be too rough with Yazhi.

Thanks!

[RocketDog]

There have been several biting threads lately. You might try searching for them.

It's totally normal for a pup this age--several different ways to go, but time is essentially your friend in this case. Definitely continue the exercise--is there somewhere you can take him off leash? That is WAY more tiring to a pup.

IMHO two puppies are 3 times as much work. Honestly, it's not easier, it's harder. See if you can find a friend with a good, stable, well-socialized adult for him to play with, and/or a pup around the same age/size too. THAT will help him instead of getting another pup in your house. Keep the sessions fairly short, as in not an hour or something. Keep a soft toy on you at all times too, and redirect.

[Dakotasmom23]

I agree, except 2 dogs is like 10 times the work at my house! lol And if one of the dogs is not 100% rock solid stable and behaved, then you can sure as heck bet you'll have 2 dogs who are nuts. Not a good thing. Sounds like you are doing everything right, just have to ride out the wave. My 15 weeker is not a mouthy pup (yet, fingers crossed), but I've btdt with my foster dogs. When they are getting too rambunctious and mouthing repeatedly, I do timeouts in the ex-pen. Also, I would keep a nylabone in my pocket. The second the mouthing starts, give a verbal correction (Aaack! is my word) and put that toy/bone whatever right in his mouth and walk away. If that doesn't work, then the puppy needs some time to settle in the ex-pen.