[buspirate]

I have recently adopted a 3 and half month old Chow Chow/Lab mix and it bites excessively and nothing seems to work -- even the Bitter Apple spray! I have tried exerting dominance over him, but many times he gets away due to his size (he's 15 lbs. already). Does anyone have any suggestions other than outright obedience training?

[Emily94]

When he bites tell him no in a stern voice, and then give him a chew toy.

[buspirate]

I've told him this many times, but he still continues to bite at my hands :(

[Emily94]

You could try saying "OUCH" in a really high voice, and then ignore him. Puppies do bite, so you want to let them no what is OK to bite, and what is not. Establishing dominance (By pinning a dog to the ground, or lifting them up and starring them in the eye) should only be done by a professional or it could make the dog scared of you.
Here are some links you may find helpful.
Mouthing nipping and biting behavior in puppies - Article on Pets.ca
Excessive biting
Excessive Biting and Painful Mouthing
Puppies Biting – Points You Should Know To Cease Your Pup's Bad Behavior | Pet Memorial Urns Online

[Lucky098]

Anytime your puppy bites you.. Grab his muzzle, squeaze it tight until he squeaks a bit and say "No" in a very upset, angry tone of voice.

Release... and try it again.

If you've tried the more docile corrections, then step it up a notch.

Sometimes puppies are very mouthy. They can grow out of it, but there is a chance they will be mouthy into adult hood. Its always a good thing to have that pup respect you and not bite you.

You think mama dogs allow their pups to chomp on them? Definitely not.. Those pups typically get a spankin!

Just remember though to not be too aggressive with him. He's just a baby.

[KISS]

Bite the dog back. Last resort, though.

[Emily94]

Bite the dog back. Last resort, though.

Ew, I don't know where the dog has been! Thank god my dog doesn't have this problem.

[rex123]

Bite the dog back. Last resort, though.

As weird as it may sound it does work! When my husky was younger he would bite all the time. We tried everything,haltis, spraybottles, time outs, saying no, saying ouch, you name it we tried it.

Luckily one day my cousin told me about her doberman, and how he used to bite a lot when he was a puppy, she tried everything and someone told her a strange but sure technique. You pick the pup up by the scruff of the neck and bite their ear.

I know this sounds crazy but we tried it with Rex and it stopped his biting in a matter of days.

He's now 5yrs old and a well-mannered dog.

[rex123]

Emily94--> I don't think I blame you. But it was either that or rehome my dog, and I just loved him too much to give up. ;)

Luckily for other things he's pretty easy to teach or disciplin. Especially if you use Cesar Millan's techniques. Now that I think back to using the biting back technique it seems extremely absurd... But it was our last option.

[Emily94]

Who is this Cesar Millan guy? I've seen multiple posts about him...

[rex123]

Who is this Cesar Millan guy? I've seen multiple posts about him...

You aren't familiar with Cesar Millan:eek:... He's the Dog Whisperer.
He goes around rehabilatating dogs, with nothing but a ''35cent leash and calm/assertive attitude.''

[Emily94]

Im going to go research him now :)

[Lucky098]

Ceasar's good! But I like Victoria Stillwell better.

[Emily94]

Wow, I love him already!
I learnt a lot of things, and I only read his website for 15 minutes!