Play biting in an older dog

Question
We adopted a male german shepherd 7 weeks ago from a woman who was moving and could not take him to her new home. Max was two years old on June 21, 2007. He's a fabulous dog - loving and very appreciative of his new home but we are having a difficult time teaching him that play biting is not acceptable. This behavior occurs mainly when he is excited and happy and can occur everywhere from inside our home to leash walking. We are all working on training him since he doesn't appear to have had much training as a puppy. The trigger to biting appears to be the need to play. Whenever he gets excited he gets those devilish eyes and usually begins by biting ankles, followed by knees, and then wrists. We've owned two other shepherds that we raised from puppyhood so dealing with this problem in an older, stronger animal is very challenging. It's also painful. We have two small children, ages 3 and 7 who love their new dog, but I can tell are walking on eggshells. He especially likes our younger son and has mouthed his ankles from time to time. We've met the former owner and have had numerous conversations with her about his biting problem. She said he didn't do that when he lived with her but I'm not sure I believe her. He appears to have learned that playing with humans involving a great deal of rough housing? What is the best method(s) to stop this behavior?

Answer
Hi Joan,

I agree with you that your new dog was most likely play biting in his previous home. Your dog should have learned that play biting humans is unacceptable by the time he was 6 months old.

There are several things you should do. First of all, when he puts his mouth on you instead of pulling away, push your hand further into his mouth and with a very cheery voice tell him what a fun game this is. Don't be mad at him as he doesn't know any better. Most dogs do not like you pushing further into their mouths. The moment he tried to pull away in distaste of this new game, praise him and tell him he's a good dog. This is for you to do NOT your children! If he clamps onto  your ankle, clamp your hand down on his muzzle and hold it there while walking around happily extolling the virtues of this great new game. He won't like it.
Second, After he learns that having anything human in his mouth isn't fun, when he does try play biting, give him a 2 minute time out each and everytime. Anything longer than 2 minutes and the dog can't remember why he's crated. Same for if he starts rough housing: give him a time out. But teach him the games you do want him to play.
Thirdly, EXERCISE! Teach your dog to retrieve and get him running and retrieving for 15-20 minutes a day twice a day.
Fourth: YOU start play before he needs to. And you teach him that rough housing will not be tolerated. Swimming is great exercise too!

If you are struggling with this, please contact a positive trainer in your area; play nipping and children are not a good mix.

Good luck!