I don't think your being too soft, he's a puppy! I didn't read your last thread so I don't know how old he is etc but my pup is now 5mths and starting to calm down with the play biting etc and at one point I was getting really stressed and thinking it would never stop but it does! I do'nt think smacking him or using a newspaper to frighten him his the answer, stick with the time out, he will forget, he's a puppy but eventually he will learn!