While puppy's at that age can be mouthy, this seems a bit extreme. Do you feel (what does your gut tell you?) its more like tugging/play or more aggressive? At his age, I would not expect aggression specially towards the hand that feeds him.

I hope you get some comments from those with more experience. I would be interested in hearing what others have to say.

 

I think it's play behavior, like Dogma said some dogs get the zoomies, at times he does get that, where he runs back and forth around the house like crazy, and barks while running back, and this is like later after a walk too. Than he stops and chills out.

When I put him in his crate he settled down and didn't do it again. I really don't like this behavior though because.. It's unsafe when I'm laying down, and randomly he charges me, and starts biting like crazy, I have to grab him / leash and firmly say "NO BITE" and he still won't stop until I put him in his crate.

He's small now, right, so it's easy to stop him... But when he's older, I can no longer grab him anymore. So it's terrifying, and when he does it, he puts his full mouth on me, biting very hard, with his nose scrunched up, so, I feel that's more of a sign of aggression since he's scrunching his nose.

 

I'm going to guess that this is the oral equivalent of the "zoomies".Some dogs will suddenly take off running and zooming to burn off high spirits.Your pup play fights violently instead?? If you can see him exhibit any signals that he's about to go off(body tension,eyes light up,etc.) shut it down immediately before it starts.Give him a sit command,reward,hustle him outside and see if you can get him to chase a ball to release that energy.
If he's already chomping on you it's too late and you'll have to crate him until he chills.Can't let him think if he gnaws on you that you'll play with him.
Like I said,it's just a guess.My dogs do that exact thing to each other.Out of the blue just pounce and wrestle,all in good fun and high spirits.I've had guests that were convinced they are trying to kill each other.
Another possibility is he's just overtired and really needs to settle and take a nap.Others may chime in with their experiences and you can experiment and find a solution

 

He doesn't like up tense though, or like stare, he just goes straight for it.. I always have a feeling he'll do it though... When I'm laying down.

Usually me bouncing a kong too, might help.

 

Well,you could put him in his crate whenever you lie down.If he learns a place command at some point you could do that too.It would break the habit.He can learn to be calm whenever you lie down.You create an alternate behavior.

 

Dont put him in the crate, give him something else to play with. This always worked for me.
Flirt pole

https://www.amazon.com/Squishy-Face-Studio-Exercise-Squeaker/dp/B00HFFXEWE

 

You must be careful not to create the expectation of the dog getting the attention it wants whenever he goes into" crazy bite mode."This is a common mistake people make: Dog engages in behavior you don't want,you redirect with a toy or treat,you've just rewarded the misbehavior.
Shut down the misbehavior.When the dog calms down you direct him to do what you want,then reward for that with playtime.

 

I think this sounds like normal crazy 16 week old behavior. He is getting more confident and energetic and wants to initiate things. I also think there is something to laying down that encourages some dogs to come in. Our rescue GSD would get overly excited and mob me every time I layed on the floor to stretch or on the bed. Sometimes I think it confuses them in terms of leadership. But the solution is the same... consistency. Be consistent and he will get it. Expect weird, crazy, inconsistent behaviors at 16 weeks. He is an agile toddler now and his little mind is developing into his own. Be fair, consistent, and teach him how you want him to play. I would teach this dog tug games. Youtube Michael Ellis tug games and you will find some guidance.

Enjoy it. It goes away quickly. Oh and great that you are going to class.

 

I think it is probably normal.

I would just crate the dog before lying down. You put your dog in his crate to settle/lay down, and you lie down. The dog grows out of this play-behavior as training and maturation race each other to the final product. You are NOT punishing the dog by crating the dog in this instance (that is a no-no.) You are ACTING before the dog has a chance to give you any negative behavior, so the crate is just a normal, time-to-go-in-your-crate.

You avoid this conflict.

The act of lying down or being in a prone position can very much be an invitation to play.

 

My puppy never gets that option. When I lie down, he is crated. He no longer bites, but if I fall asleep, I don't want a wet nose in my face. Is he getting exercise and mental stimulation?

 

When you lie down, you're putting yourself closer to his level. You're probably an irresistible target for play attacking.

 

My male GSD was a terror at 16 weeks. So much so, that I consulted a trainer who specializes in GSDs. The trainer said he was flexing his muscles. He didn't think it was aggression, but it needed to be corrected.
And he recommended formal obedience classes.
Training classes helped a lot.

He also told me I needed to get him interested in playing with a ball because he lacked ball drive.
That absolutely helped too. He fell in love playing with the squekie Kong ball, which really drained his energy and helped with training him as well.

I agree with people who told you to crate your pup. At this age, they often need time to rest and you need time away from your pup.

 

Why dogs jump onto you? Because they want you to be at their level - "face to face, shoulder to shoulder". Here you brought yourself to his level yourself, and, he has started experimenting with you like he would have done with another puppy. He bites you - and you are responding, wrestling, talking to him, doing what he would have expected from another puppy to do. Turn you face away, turn your body and deprive him from your attention, and interfere in a slow motion only if he is behaving the way you like (legs up).