Nip/Bite

Question
Hi Marcus, its me again (husky month and half talking about leash training and recall)... my puppy is having a tendency to bite/nip when i try to scratch his head or give some love anyway i know hes just playing and i read ur previous post about nip/bite but i dont wanna try that glove method, i want him to learn not to bite/nip human skin while playing cuz he's not even biting my hands even my legs, arms, toes, and if i get up he follows me biting my legs... He's now almost 2 months and every day he's getting bigger and stronger, Can't imagine him playing biting with some little kid out there :S any advice is welcome
thanks in advance

Answer
Arturo,

The glove method can be extremely effective, even in getting the dog to not nip human skin.  Keep in mind that a dog interacts with its world in the same manner that humans do with their hands; the dog is merely trying to play.  With that in mind, the glove method does work well.  However, if you are completely against this, then you must refocus the dog into activities and behaviors that are acceptable, while only mildly reprimanding the dog.  You don't want to discourage play, but want to help refocus it into more acceptable behaviors.  The problem here is that this takes a lot of patience and (especially with Siberians who are very mouthy anyway) a lot of time, so don't expect immediate results.  The method will be to find activities that the dog has fun engaging in and playing, and then directing the dog to those activities when he nips.  You are to completely withdrawl from him when he nips, mildly correct with a stern "No!" and then praise him when he engages in the "correct" activity.

Keep in mind that withdrawl and verbal feedback is important here, and it will take some time.  Dogs don't have hands, and have to use their mouths to play, so don't be too hard on the dog.

Hope that helps.