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After about 6 weeks of trying to find a rescue GSD who is good with kids and our cat with no luck, I finally found a GSD (likely mixed) 9 week old puppy at our local SPCA and am first on the list to adopt! I have to bring the whole family to meet him tomorrow (per SPCA rules) tomorrow, and, assuming all goes well, we can bring him home! I did some of the “puppy tests” listed in my training books when I met him today (reaction to holding him on his back, following me, loud noises, throwing ball, etc) and my main concern is how mouthy he is. Really, every test I did, he mostly just wanted to chew on my hands and, especially, my watch. I know this is totally normal for a puppy his age, but how do y’all recommend discouraging this behavior in young puppies? I tried a sharp “no!” and removing my hands for a moment, then petting and praising him for not biting for the one second that he isn’t, but he goes right back to biting my hands and watch. The “Monks of New Skete” book recommends putting a finger down his throat to cause a gag reflex every time he chews fingers, but that seems harsh for a young puppy to me.
Any other ideas that have worked for you?
Any other ideas that have worked for you?