PLEASE - need help with new puppy nipping/biting!!!

[Anonymous]

Today my 8 week old puppy (lab) was biting so much while we were walking that she put 4 different holes in my pants. She would pull my pants legs away from me and not let go. I said "no" and ignored and stopped walking and she would still not let go. Finally I had to remove her from me and say no and hold her mouth closed, she did this several times. Is this normal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your puppy is probably trying to play, however, nipping at the heels is a herding instinct (like what the sheep dogs do in the movie Babe) and it probably sees your toddler as another puppy. Also, sometimes small dogs feel intimidated with larger dogs or people looming around.

Find some good chew toys at the ready and put the toy by it's mouth when it tries to nip.

The puppy is essentially teething and milk teeth hurt:
http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/A_Dog's_Teeth

Also regarding the mounting--get your dog fixed. That will help curb the urge.

I have a herding breed and it worked outside for me. She has never broken the skin or pinched the skin on humans. One poster said the biting and nipping will stop when the dog gets the adult teeth. Puppies chewing stuff is different than the play nipping or actual biting. At 8-10 weeks or so [when you first get them] - they might try to suck on your finger. A neighbors puppy tried to nurse on another dog of mine [spayed but was same breed].

OP said this will be a small dog so it's not a mouthy breed like a Lab - soft mouths. Don't let this dog nip or bite - immediately do the grab some one else posted. Don't play tug of war ever. After the grab substitute a toy. If the puppy persists in biting humans after a few days of this I would try to return it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Today my 8 week old puppy (lab) was biting so much while we were walking that she put 4 different holes in my pants. She would pull my pants legs away from me and not let go. I said "no" and ignored and stopped walking and she would still not let go. Finally I had to remove her from me and say no and hold her mouth closed, she did this several times. Is this normal?

13:39 again. Just saw your post. This is normal. If it doesn't stop eventually use some tabasco or bitter apple on old pants legs.

[Anonymous]

If the puppy persists in biting humans after a few days of this I would try to return it.

Do people really return puppies for this? Isn't it a matter of training him not to bite? I can't imagine returning the puppy. Then what is the breeder going to do with him? He is nipping, but he does not bite all the way down with full pressure. I don't believe he wants to be aggressive; I think he is a baby, he's teething, and he doesn't know how to play in an acceptable way. This has got to be correctible with training rather than returning him!