Puppy
 

It’s been ages since I’ve had a puppy. Any tips on how to train them to have a soft mouth? He’s pretty good but gets over excited sometimes. He also keeps attacking my feet, I say no but I don’t always have a toy handy when I’m just trying to walk around the house :D

With Callie and the feet we had to use a squirt bottle. Just make sure not to use your hands as play toys and a firm no and stop playing when they get your hands.

Two things we did to teach bite inhibition:
1. Make a loud noise as if you very very hurt
2. Then, a firm no and a redirect to a chew appropriate toy
Had to do it every time for around a week and problem solved. He is now so gentle with hands and fingers.

Have never had that issue with Gidget so can't be of any help.

Fake or real crying worked with my older rescue for immediate relief. Also letting them lick a small bit of peanut butter off your fingers occasionally can change their mindset. Best to reward good behavior even if it’s only verbally when it happens.

You are the alpha!
 

With my previous yorkie pups, if you loudly say ”OUCH!" in a high pitch squeal, for both hands and feet play biting, it usually stops them in their tracks. This mimics the sounds their siblings made when they get too rough alerting the offending dog that they hurt the other and they stop. This only works on some puppies as I am finding out now. Current puppy stopped at first with this method, but is now immune to the ouch squeal. What works for her temporarily when she really gets out of hand is picking her up and making a fake ”attacking/growl” like noise while sort of grabbing the the side of her face near her ear with my lips, and then firmly saying no! You're not hurting them at all, just showing them who is alpha. And she stops the wild, rough play immediately, then likes my fingers:). Got the idea from my mom who suggested to ”bite her back,” Lol, which I would never do of course. But the act of ”attacking” back seems to be working. I tried to use the ouch sound, but when this spurs her on to bite even harder, that's when this ”alpha attack” comes in. And remember, this is more an ”I’m the boss” maneuver than a discipline maneuver. Good luck!

B:animal-pa

Every puppy parent has their own way of dealing with growth stages. For me, I accepted the behavior as puppy silliness and they soon outgrew it. Granted I did have a few bloodied fingers and toes, but it wasn't worth scolding 'cause I knew it was a short developmental stage. My adult girls are very respectful and I have no complaints or problems.

The alpha theory has been debunked. A dog can not see a human as the alpha. Some of the “alpha” training methods have also been known to cause aggression.

We always have toys, everywhere, handy. If the puppy is chewing anything, including us, we tell them, "No!, Get A toy!", then stick a toy in front of them. As they grow older, when we tell them, "No!, Get A Toy!", they go and get a toy to chew on. This has worked for us. I have to add, what works for one, may or may not work for another. Ha Ha It has a lot to do with persistence and as others have said here...who's the boss.