Springer Spaniel Puppy Biting: 9 wks

Question
I want to know how to deal with/control the play biting in our new puppy who is otherwise very loving. But we are having our hands and feet bitten, certain times of day particulariy evening time. He gets lots of rest, and loving attention. Where are we going wrong? We have to put him in a seperate room while we eat otherwise he will bite our feet.  

Answer
Hi Kim;
It is natural for puppies to bite, that is how they play.
When they come to live with humans, they have to learn that we are not as tollerant of our fingers and toes being nipped.
It HURTS us.
When a baby puppy bites while playing, I scold them.
I don't sound as firm as when I am scolding after they have been taught something, and then ignore the teaching.
Whey they bite, pick them up, hand under tummy, and the other hand gently on the back of their neck so you can turn their head to look in their eyes.
I say " NO! Don't bite, be a sweet pupy".
when they grab a finger again, I say "NO!" and push them away from it, saying " be a nice puppy, DON'T BITE!"
Just keep doing that, and as the try to continue to bite, just say "NO!' before they get the flesh in their mouth.
You know, when they have their mouth open abiout to bite.
After a few minutes of this, if they don't stop biting, I tell them, "I won't play if you bite?. then walk away and refuse to play. If they chase after you and bite your feet, ankles etc, puck them up, scolding them with a firm no, and put them in a small room, no toys, just room to lie down and think about their misbehavior, and run around maybe, but nothing to play wqith, for about half an hour.
I tell them as I am taking them there, "You have to go to time out?.
With some puppies, the first time you tell them no and be sweet etc, they start to learn not to bite. With others, it can take from 2 or 3 days of this to a week or more, depending on the individual stubborness of that puppy.
Do the same thing, in the same way, and say the same things, each time.
They will ( hopefully soon) learn that if they do that thing, bite, they won;t get played with, but if they don't bite, they get to play and have a lot of fun.
the key to training them is to show them what you want them to do, and use the same words each time, until they understand what it is they are expected to do. They will do what gets them praise, and avoid doing what gets them scolded and isolated.
Be sure to praise lavisly when they doi it right.
After they have lived with you a few months, they begin to understand your language, and pick up what some words mean, just as you would if you moved to a country where they spoke a foreign, to you, language, and you can communicate with them on a broader scope, but at first, use the same words and phrases every time you are showing them what it is you want to do.
While they are in the act of an undesired behavior, saying no in a sharp voice alerts them to the fact that they are doing something wrong. Praise in a soothing, smiling and loving voice, shows them they are pleasing you, and in the end, that is what your dog wants, to please you, and get your love and praise.
You train a puppy much like you train a human baby.
Telling them in a stern voice not "NO!", you use just a word or two with a small baby just learning to crawl.
Save the chewing out and long leactures for whan they are teeneages.LOl when they pupy is a few months old, they will respond to a lecture ( nagging) too, and they DON'T like it any better than children do.
I find time out qworks equally well for children and pets. They don't like to be bamnished to an isolated place. They know that it is punishment. It isn't cruel, but it emphises the fact that they did wrong.
Just hang in there,mom, and you can reform that little delinquent, and make a sweet baby out of him.
Write anytime you feel I might be able to help.
Charlotte