biting around children

Question
My puppy is 8 weeks old and he has about 3 spirts a day where he nibbles and bites on whomever is playing with him. I have 2 children 3 and 6 and they love him but when he starts to bite the get quite scared. I've tried the "NO" aproach and have also tried the neck pulling approach. The neck pulling aproach only makes him defend himself and the "NO" approach startles him but then he goes right back to it. What should I do and is this normal??? -Vince

Answer
The only behavior puppies know is pack behavior which includes biting and growling and playing rough with their siblings and it's perfectly normal. It takes time and consistency to teach puppies that this is unacceptable behavior with humans.

Additionally, a puppy's attention span is probably about the same as a 1 yr. old with ADHD! Only allow the puppy to play with your children when you can supervise. Don't allow them to play rough with him either.

Shaking him by the scruff of the neck is good, but you have to do it hard enough to scare him not piss him off. A loud "NO" at the same time is also good. If he cries, that's ok. He needs to learn respect. It's not going to happen overnight but if you're dilligent, it will get better in a couple of months.