Ok so here's the deal, my 22 month old Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix has a serious problem. She bites. Sometimes it's for play, sometimes she gets jealous but it is quickly becoming something that needs to be addressed ASAP. In the end, it is entirely my fault, because we've had her her entire life. She is the product of our Rottweiler's (who is incredibly sweet and has never had a biting problem) romantic rendezvous with a neighborhood shepherd. My dog was the leader of the litter and pushed around her litter mates. I feel like she never really learned any bite inhibition from them. Then, to make matters worse, I played rough with her as a puppy, without knowing that wrestling with her and letting her bite me was comparable to opening Pandora's Box. So today, she was getting very hyper and playful and bit me and her biting was getting progressively harder. I told her no and put her muzzle on her for a few minutes. When I removed it she snapped and put a pretty decently sized puncture wound through my hand.

When she's not biting she's a really sweet dog and I love her to death. I've trained her to do all sorts of tricks and she's generally well behaved except for this. I know that she's also in her adolescent stage when she thinks she's top dog and, if anything, it's that dominance I've been trying to counter. I just don't know what to do to fix my mistakes...

... any ideas?

I would suggest a Halti(aka Gentle Leader). It is a quick and humane way to correct unwanted behaviour. You can even use it in your house just buy a cheap short leash and leave it attached to the Halti at all times(when you or someone responsible is present of course) and when the dog bites or does something else that is unexceptable pull the lead, this should quickly teach her what behaviours are exceptable and which ones aren't.
Good luck!

If you can afford it, I'd suggest bringing in a behaviorist. He can watch you and the dog interact and tell you what actions you need to change to bring the dog under control.

It is a matter of who is boss or pack leader, you or the dog. Once that is established, I think the problem will end. Try walking the dog, and don't let it lead you. Stop, and get it used to walking next to you, never ahead. They love to walk with you, and will do what you want, if you persist, and don't talk to them. They understand signals and emotional vibrations, and are just as happy in the pack as they are pack leader, as long as it's clear.

Denis

I would suggest watching one episode of the Dog Whisperer.

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Originally Posted by rex123

I would suggest watching one episode of the Dog Whisperer.

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Oh, I've seen dog whisperer and read all sorts of behavior and obedience books. I think my biggest problem is consistency: I do one thing--my parents do another.