We adopted our sweet Marco a few weeks ago and he is adapting very nicely to our home. As each day passes he is feeling more and more relaxed and at home. He has even gotten to where he barks if someone comes to our door. I think this is very positive as he is feeling protective and like he belongs.

The one thing he has recently started is giving us and our two cats "love nips." He has random playful moods and gets so excited he starts nipping at us. It's not hard enough to draw blood but I have several bruises on my arms from it. The whole time he is playing and nipping his tail is wagging but he ignores my commands to stop. I'm worried he will get over excited and hurt one of the cats. They don't have claws to set him straight.

I will eventually go with him for obedience training but he is still too shy around strangers for that right now. Does anyone have suggestions and how I can get him to stop? Taking him on long walks helps but doesn't stop the bad behavior.

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My Jack started doing this about a year ago. He never left a mark on me but it hurt. I would pretend to be a puppy and yelp and he would stop, but does it again the next time. Jacquie says it is a male, teenage thing. I never had males before Jack. It seemed to be really bad when I come home from work. What I started doing is to keep a box of dog biscuits in my garage and bring one in with me for him. He puts it in his mouth and will actually hold it while waggling and wiggling for pets. This has really helped a lot. One day I was out of biscuits and he did it once, I yelped again and he stopped immediately. So other than taking him for training, start right now with you training him.

You have to be the leader and let him know who is in charge. Training will help with that and you can reinforce it by trying to give him another thing to put in his mouth besides you.
Jack doesn't eat the biscuit, he just holds it in his mouth. I wonder if the toy would work too. I will try that tomorrow. He seems to understand, now, that he was hurting me and waits for me at the garage door for the biscuit, then his pets. You just have to keep it up until it becomes second nature to him.
Your answer makes sense. Believe it or not Marco had not been neutered when we got him from the rescue group. I am waiting a couple of more weeks to let him settle in with us and then plan on taking him to be altered. My sister was visiting this past weekend and recommended a spray bottle of water to get his attention. What are your thoughts on that?
I definitely like your idea about a low key beginning training class with other adopted dogs. I hadn't even thought of that. I will research what is available in my area and keep you posted. Thanks so much.
I tried the water squirt with Jack but he liked it too much! It was more of a treat than a training tool. He thought it was play time. But it does work with my Bijon, Cody. He hates being wet. You have to try many things until you find one that works and until he gets the idea that this behavior is not acceptable. I used the words "No Bite" over and over until he got it and the biscuit. Now he associates me coming home with the treat. Plus, the water might not be a good idea if people are trying to come in the house. I just stick one in his mouth when the door bell rings and he does hold it now. It takes time and patience. The training class will also help by getting him to see you as the pack leader, which will help him listen to you if he gets mouthy or some other behavior that you don't want. Just keep at it and don't let the behavior go without correction and eventually he will "get it."
Thanks Lynn and Karen. I'll try that tonight when I get home. I'll keep you posted about his response.

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