How do I convince him I am not a sheep

[Wolf.Runner]

Hello,
This is my first post.

I have a male 5 ½ month old GSD high drive working Hungarian/ Czech lines named Jag.

I am hoping for some help with biting.

Jaggie is one sweet, confident, affectionate dog; a joy in my life. We hike daily for at least 8-10 km/ day (3 hours) using a retractable long line.

I have had dogs all my life but, I am new to positive training. I perceive Jaggie responds to force with escalated resistance. I have better success with calm, firm gentleness. He is on a gentle leader.

I believe what I am seeing is prey drive not aggression. Should I panic that Jag is approaching 6 months and he still bites me? Should I be concerned that he still lifts his lips and snaps the air at me? How can I manage bites when I am out walking?

At home, Jag receives consistent redirection to toys moving to time-outs if he persists. (Yelping escalates biting.) Other strategies used in desperation include sticking my fist in his mouth and pinching his lips. Progress has been made: Jag rarely draws blood now, however, still nails me if excited/ frustrated or when I am rewarding during heeling (despite my “gentle” command and closed fist which works at other times).

During yesterday’s hike, he no longer would stand to become untangled from the long line but, consistently nailed me even if I spoke quietly, told him to “settle” and moved very slowly. Grabbing the gentle leader ramps him up and results in further attempts to bite the restraining hand. Yet, after untangling he sits quietly does and looks up at me with gentle eyes. I’ve tried heeling him for short distance afterwards but, I don’t think he sees the connection. I should say that during our long hikes, Jag is almost entirely focused on my movements: my feet, my mitts: when he goes for them, I stop moving and say “no” and then move very slowly forward. I recently had success with reducing biting on my butt, legs, hands while hiking by giving him a ball or stick for his mouth. I notice he still butts me with the item in his mouth. Honestly, I wish my shepHERD would go stiff the ground or something. BAAAAA

If he is biting me in prey drive now will this turn to aggression later? How can I convince him I am not a sheep (asks she sheepishly:0)?

[Sir Bear]

My pup is almost 5 months and has just started this kind of play/frustration/heeling biting. I feel for you...it's ridiculously frustrating. I hope you get some responses! The only thing I've noticed is that I started playing tug with him (something we never did as a young pup) and he seems to be going for my hands more now.

[Elaine]

This sounds like perfectly normal biting for a high drive puppy. My 10 month old puppy still bites when excited, when playing with his ball, when he's in super high drive when heeling, when I'm trying to walk across the room he grabs my feet, and so on.

The important thing is to redirect and channel his energy. Do not do the sticking fist in mouth and pinching lips. He may always bite when excited/frustrated when training, that's very common. As he ages, this should decrease as he learns he will get a reward and not have to worry about not getting it.

Remember, he's VERY young. I would totally expect him to be wiggly when you are trying to handle him. You don't have to move slowly, that can actually make him worse. Move with confidence and handle him gently, but firmly.

Giving him a tug or ball on a string is a great way to redirect the biting when on a walk. He's bumping you with it because he wants you to play with him. Picking up the pace will help as if he has to go faster, he has less time to be biting you.

None of this has anything to do with you being a sheep as this is just normal puppy behavior and has nothing to do with aggression.

I personally hate gentle leaders as I find them pretty worthless. Teach your pup manners and how to walk on a leash, not just hold him back with the gentle leader.

If at all possible, find someone that knows how to do high drive training so you can learn how to handle your little guy without crushing his spirit. Learn to laugh at his silly behavior because that's all it is.