Biting is a natural puppy behavior, we just need to direct it appropriately. Dogs don’t have hands to pick things up and explore the world with, so they explore with their mouths. Also as they are teething, chewing and biting is important to give them relief and help get those needle sharp little puppy teeth out.

We also have to be careful to remember we want them to learn to pick things up in their mouth softly as they are going to be retrieving game, so we don’t want to punish them taking things into their mouth.

Naturally it is best to correct small things along the way before they lead to big problems, and along those lines distraction/diversion/substitution all work very well if done early and consistently. When a puppy goes to bite people we distract with toys, noise (clapping, whistle, rattle cans air horn, sharp loud voice whatever) we then focus behavior on something different, for example sit or here or some other behavior the dog knows and then reward that good behavior with praise, attention, food etc. We can also substitute acceptable biting objects and then reward the dog for biting correctly. This works very well, but what if you already have the problem now and it is too late?

It is never too late, we just have to change our methods. The best is to avoid the problem, second best is to distract from the biting behavior of biting people and give them something they are allowed to bite and chew on. Last resort is a physical correction. Remember Brittanys are a soft biddable breed and harsh heavy handed training and correction breaks them. They will not work for someone they don’t have a relationship with, and they will not work out of fear. They are motivated by love and a desire to please. Be careful to keep it that way. Teach them what it is you want, and they will offer it willingly. If they aren’t giving you the behavior you want, then you haven’t communicated to them clearly what it is that you want.

Again read Dr Ian Dunbars book there is so much good stuff in there.