Can anyone give advise on stopping my lab pup from nibbling peoples fingers when he says hello. He doesn't do it to me but he does to anyone who comes to the house or that we meet on the street. It isn't nasty or hard but needs to be stopped. I feel worst when he does it to the kids who come to fuss him.

Iv got a bitter apple spray but i cant go spraying it on the hands of everyone we come across.
Iv used a water squirter but don't like using it incase i soak someone.
Usually I just move him away with a firm NO and get him to sit again. The problem is, then people tend to go away and he doesn't get to experience a good fuss when he is sat nicely.

Any other ideas?

How old is he ??

try a loud yelp!! sounds daft but it works x

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]mummy 2 :_lucy x rescue,2 golfish & 3 gals, african grey parrot - mojo x

Can you not just ask the person if they'd mind rewarding him with a treat when he sits? I've found (whilst trying to teach Zach to keep four paws on the floor) that if I explain what I'm doing people are pleased to help. And then usually they correct him themselves if he jumps up again.

Either that or persuade a friend to train with you. They should greet your pup, when he nibbles, you say "No" they take their hands away and turn their back. When he doesn't nibble he gets a fuss.
It doesn't usually take long for a pup to get the idea if it's done consistently.

Sh x

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Sh & Zach



Lifes too short for drama and petty things, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly

He is 8 months Rainy.

i was worried that he was doing it looking for treats. I have spoken seen his trainer today and she has suggested doing some controlled rewards, where the treat is held in front of him but he isn't allowed to get it if he moves his head towards. He can only take it when told to. Hopefully that might stop him looking for treats in everyones hands.

Iv done the yelping Jilly and it does work but I'm not sure the people we meet in the street are going to want to go yelping in public lol.

I agree with your trainer. I do 2 things with Oscar (who is a bit of a nibbler)

1) Hold the treat an inch from him nose and the moment he goes for it shout "OFF" VERY firmly in a low voice, the dog generally automatically backs off at which point you say "good boy take it"

2) LEAVE - Start with the off exercise above and then when he has that progress to laying the treat in the palm of your hand and saying "leave" and then "take it" you gradually progress this until you can place a treat on the floor in front of them and they take it when they are told. (i always use this with oscars dinner bowl as he is a little bit food possesive)

Shazach has made a great point though about explaining to people he is training and asking if they will ask him to sit for a treat. Pretty soon he will automatically sit when he meets someone and wait for his treat.

With treats we were shown at puppy school to hold them in a closed hand and keep it closed if the dog uses teeth to get it, once they only use their tongue they get the treat but think thats only useful for dogs who snatch/bite treats out of hands.

My mother in laws dog does what I think yours is doing. When he greets you he jumps up (only small) and bites at your hands. Like you say, it doesn't hurt but is annoying! He's very excited and pleased to see us but I think its because she never taught him not to bite as a puppy. You seem to have taught with your dog as he doesn't do it to you!

Think it can only work if the people hes biting stop him by ignoring until he's calm. Not easy in the street though