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Question
Hi,first off I'd like to say I found your information quite helpful indeed and thank you. I have an 8 week old male Rottie/Shepard mix not neutered.I have been using your techniques in potty training and feel they will work great.So I figured you could answer this for me if you find time. He loves to chew as all dogs do however he likes to chew on my beard and sometimes he pinches skin a bit.I dont mind now,but want to avoid future problems as far as playful accidents with other people.Anything we need to be concerned about or is this a normal behavior?Myself and girlfriend are raising him in a nicely spaced home with no children or other dogs just to give you more of a setting.Thank You for your time!

Answer
It is best to not to allow the puppy to ever put its teeth on anybody.  Perhaps more so with the perception some have of Rotties and Shepherds.  Young Labs, which I know best, and other puppies tend to very bad about biting. You see a litter of them, and all the ones that are awake are biting another one or themselves. I am not even sure they realize that when they are alone, if they quit biting, they would quit being bitten. At 3 to 4 months they are getting their adult teeth, and it seems they spend every waking moment biting or chewing. One thing you can do at that stage is to knot and wet a piece of cloth. Then freeze it. The cooling will soothe the gums. Only let the puppy have it when you are there to watch it. I maintain a Lab's favorite chew toy is another Lab. Otherwise they settle for any person they can. They keep hoping to find one that won't yelp, jerk their hand away, and leave.

You just have to keep on correcting them, hundreds of times, not dozens. Provide sturdy, safe toys such as Kongs and Nylabones. Avoid things they can chew pieces off and choke on them. Keep them away from electrical cords. Crates are essential for most young Labs and other dogs.

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages. If you are not there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs. Keep a close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in pieces. Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed. I don't trust any of the consumable chews. The dogs just gnaw them down to a dangerous size too quickly. These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive chewers such as Labs.

Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds. Ones I made lasted much better. Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the foot. Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope. Melt the ends, and tie knots in it. Get them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer. Watch carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

Thank you for your kind words.