Bite inhibition - can it be reinforced?

elsien

Gitdog can be a bit rough, to say the least. When he's playing or anxious, the teeth sink in rather more than I would like and he's drawn blood on me a few times. I know how to teach him to be gentler with food, and we're slowly getting there with mouthing at people.
I'm most worried about him being too rough with other dogs. He's very (over)friendly, he just wants to play, but his idea of play involves steamrollering other dogs and mouthing them. Quite hard. I have no concerns about him having a go, I've seen other dogs attack him and he's shown no signs of retaliation. But if he gets too rough with his teeth and ignores other dog's warnings I'm concerned one day one of them is going to have a real go. And it's just one more barrier to not being able to let him off the lead.
Any suggestions that don't involve stooge dogs, as none of my friends have dogs that would manage to stay calm.
Thanks

krlyr

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_6/features/Bite-Inhibition_16232-1.html
http://tarastermer.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/teaching-an-adult-dog-%E2%80%9Cno-bite%E2%80%9D/

Something like this might be a way to help teach him manners with dogs, if you can find someone who runs something in your area. I would research it very carefully though.
http://www.dogcommunication.co.uk/home.php

SeduLOUs

My dog used to be a bit rough with play biting when we first got him (although he didn't draw blood). I'd play with him and if he bit a bit too hard, I let out an overly dramatic yelp and then turned my back on him and ignored him until he calmed down.

With repetition he did eventually learn what was acceptable and now still 'play' bites but is very careful and gentle with his teeth.

Raksha

Try hand feeding every meal, if his teeth touch your hand stop feeding and interacting and turn away for a moment.
Also play lots of tuggy games with large toys so there is room for his teeth and your hands, again,if his teeth touch your hands, the game stops briefly