how can you tell if a puppy is just testing his teeth

Puppies play with YOU, just like you were another puppy. No, he’s NOT vicious…herding pups (Collies, shelties, German Shepherds, Aussies, Heelers) are the worst for “mouthing”, especially going for your heels…but all breeds of pups do it to some extent. He barks at the other dogs?? If they are puppy-friendly, let them teach him “doggie manners”…he’s a little baby, who knows nothing!!

My dog MoJo is a German Shepherd…and was the worst biter/mouther of any GSD’s I’ve ever had…he’d get so excited if I pushed him away, he’d come back like an attack dog…this was at only 9 weeks old. The best “discipline” he ever learned, was if he played rough, I wouldn’t play at all…I’d get up, and go to the bathroom and close the door…he hated that, and in 3 days or so, had “learned” that rough play equaled NO play. You can also “yelp OUCH” just like another puppy, so he knows he’s hurting you…that stops some from getting over excited. Also, distracting him with a toy, saying…”no bite…”…hand him the toy…saying “here”…or “trade”…any one word will work…

Not every trick of the trade fits every dog…so it’s nice to have an arsenal of alternatives for training…after his shots are done, take him to a puppy class…a professional can do wonders for you, in terms of assessing what it is your puppy is needing.

So…NO, he’s not vicious…just a playful pup, with needle teeth…YIKES!

phrannie