My 9 week old border collie puppy is so sweet :) but when we are playing or when she wants to play she starts biting my legs and growling, I've tried holding her down, saying no, saying ouch that hurts and ignoring her but it doesn't seem to be working. We are planning to do oediance training but I'm still looking for a good one. I wan't nip this in the bud (lol) so it won't be a problem later. Any advice? Thanks

This is going to be a difficult one to break. Border collies have been bred for a long time to nip at ankles while herding, so the pup is just doing what comes naturally to it. Your best bet is to see if there is a breed rescue group around you. They may be able to offer suggestions for how they handle that in their dogs.

Hello, I too have a 9 week old puppy ( golden retriever ) and he is also a biter, but more so of fingers. I have heard that when the puppy bites you you should make a high pitched "yip" just like other puppies would do when bitten too hard while play fighting. The yip along with an immediate stop of playing or whatever activity you were doing together at the time should send a clear message to the pup that when it bites, it hurts and that biting=no play.
I am trying this out, hope it works and helps you out a bit!

I have two suggestions. You can take 'em or leave 'em. One a halti(gentle leader) seems to work wonders when it comes to teaching a dog what is acceptable and what is not. But when it came to my dog when he was a puppy the one and only thing that works was to pick him up by the scruff of his neck and bite his ear. I guess this worked because we got him when he was only 4 weeks which is very young, so we had to act as his ''mother'' and correct his behaviour the same way she would.

Quite honestly, I'd give the pup a rude awaking by grabbing him by the top of his neck AT THE MOMENT he nips. I'd then say in a low and mean sounding voice "NO!". When a puppy is learning ettiquet amongst his pack, it's the pack leader, (and you all ARE his pack. The dog owner is pack leader.. ), whom is responsible to show the dog how to get along WITHIN the pack and it's up to everyone else in the family to follow suit. Everyone must do the same negative reaction to his nipping. Also, playtime DOES NOT resume after he's been repremanded. That is a good time to sit him and put him in a "down". He needs to learn who is in control in that house. Puppies essentially need to be spending a lot of their time in their crates, (when they are not in the crates they need to be structured or mayhem begins.. I'm also assuming that you'll be crate training. It's easier to potty train a dog this way. Also offers the dog a place of his own undisturbed and at the same time gives you a place where he can be "put away", so you can steal you time w/out worrying where he is and if he's eliminating or destroying any of your possessions). Training is Key to a happy environment for a dog. It gives them the opportunity to be "good dogs" by learning. This breed of dog needs a job.. what better job is there than learning/training, (once they have learned all the ettiquet you can move into other things to learn). Training is a job where he gets paid right away, (with treats!). It's a way to bond as well as the ONLY WAY to show the dog who's boss. A happy dog is a well trained dog because he won't ever be in trouble and everyone will be happy when he is around. This is the essence of harmony when there is no negative behavior in your home living w/ your dog... (I know all this because I am pack leader to 4 large dogs). Good luck. (Msn me if you need more help, check my info for details). Bye!

Juniper, join the club! I think we're leading parallel lives.

I have an 11 week old english cocker spaniel, who is super sweet, lovable, happy, friendly, and smart, but and there are times when he is just determined to nip, especially on us. It usually happens in certain situations (when on the couch or bed with us, for example - there's also a whole post here dedicated to it), so I'm trying to limit those ta bit. It's clear to me that most if not all of this is for play, but it's obviously not something we want him to do when he's an adult.

I have tried every single thing you posted and jdeanne's suggestion, too. I've also tried growling, especially if he has growled at me. Some things help part of the time, but I can't say that they work as well as I hoped they would.

I just tried something else I read in one of my training books, and it worked the 5 times I tried it today. It might be worth a try. It says to use a shaker can to make noise when he does it, alternating unpredictably at different nipping fits with the command "no!" in a solid voice. The goal is to eventually just use "no." I have a couple of new year's eve style noise makers, so I used one of those instead. You don't want to scare the puppy, but you do want to change its train of thought. The book also says not to over-react. The reason they do it is because this is how puppies play when still with the litter. I've read numerous times that cockers are sensitive, so it's important not to exaggerate with harsh training. I don't know if it's the same for border collies. I'm guessing, however, that less is more whenever you can manage it.

Congratulations on your incredible pooch! It looks like there are a number of new puppy owners in the forum these days. I'm sure we can accomplish a lot by sharing whatever information we have! Keep us posted!