Playing too rough

Question
I have a 7 week old siberian husky that is playing with me too rough. I can tell that he is just playing with me but it hurts pretty bad when his surgically sharp puppy teeth are ripping through my hand. I really like playing with him, he's just biting a little too hard. What should I do to solve this problem?

Answer
Kyle,

Well, you've stumbled on to probably my most popular question and a relatively easy one to fix.  I've written about it before, so here's a copy of that:

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First, it is important to understand that dogs bite for two reasons: play and defense/aggression.  Nipping and leaving red marks (and possibly breaking the skin now and then) is a normal sign of play.  Siberians are well known for being an extremely playful breed, and also are well known for being very rambunctious when they play.  This nipping is typical.

So, now that you understand that the dog is "playing" it should help you redirect the behavior.  I personally encourage the playful interaction.  Since dogs associate with their world through their mouths, and is the main way that they play, I think it shows a strong bond that the dog wants to play with an owner.  So, rather than stop it, you have to set-up rules around the play.  Once those rules are established, dogs generally have pretty quick time understanding and following the rules.  Here's what I suggest:

First, get a pair of thick leather gloves.  Ray Allen Manufacturing makes some, but you can also go to a hardware store and look for some really thick ones.  I've also had luck finding leather welding gloves.  They aren't cheap, but they last a long time and it's worth it for the dog.  Next, put the gloves on and wrestle and play with your dog.  The bites won't go through the gloves, and if the dog bites too hard and the pressure hurts, correct the dog.  When play time is over (your decision), take the gloves off and put them away.  If the dog tries to continue to bite/play, correct the dog.  Soon, the dog will understand that gloves on equals playtime, gloves off means no.

As for the correction, it's a simple strong "NO!" and removing yourself from the situation.  If the dog persists, a quick grab of the neck can also be effective.  For the first few weeks, if the dog nips at you, immediately go get the gloves.  This will also help teach the dog that means play.  To this day, my dog (at 3 years old, and we started this method with her at 11 weeks old) will come up and bite my hand gently.  I then go get the gloves and we wrestle.

It appears that you are well aware that the nipping is playful, and you are trying to find a way to curb it but still wanting to play with the dog.  I think this is probably the best way.  The quick neck grab and verbal correction is usually quite sufficient in sternly telling the dog that play time is over or that it's not the right time.  Don't worry about that damaging a relationship with the dog, as it is simple, quick, and very canine-based feedback.  Hitting the dog is very rarely an effective method for communicating with your dog and something that I wouldn't recommend.

Hope that helps and let me know if you need anything else.  (By the way, remember the key to most dog training and especially this method - CONSISTENCY!)
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Hope that helps and feel free to write back if you additional questions or concerns.