Barley meets Timber (pics!) Help!

[Barley'sMom]

So Barley met Timber this week, and Timber was a little scared of Barley. I'm not sure what to do about this: Barley is now 6 months, and nips a lot at dogs, even puppies. I think he's herding, but it scares other owners who stupidly think my dog is attacking their dog (at the dog park, or wherever). He's wagging his tail, being all cute, but it looks like biting. The other dogs never yelp or get aggressive - it's all play - but it "looks" bad. Can I train him not to nip? Just by saying "no biting!" and removing him for a bit? He only does this with other dogs, and HE LOVES TO PLAY with his own species!

Anyway, here's the pics... dad's GSD, 8 weeks, and Barley....

A flying puppy!

 

[Barley'sMom]

And 3 more... sorry, i had to.

I just rolled in the mud, of course

you're not going to have a garden this summer, mom, i promise

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Awwww how cute they are!

Buddy also plays roughly. At the dog park he has this set group of dogs that he will roughhouse with alllll day if we let him. There will always be owners that will be worried, but most of them (especially the owners of the ones that Buddy plays with know that Buddy is just playing). Buddy also knows the term "gentle." We use it with small puppies or smaller dogs and it works well. If he gets out of hand we give him a "gentle" and if he doesn't cooperate he gets a time out.

 

[Barley'sMom]

I suppose "gentle" is better than "no biting" too, because saying "no biting" will only reinforce other owners' beliefs that Barley is actually biting. thanks.

He loves playing with these 2 huskies, and a novice owner thought the 3 were attacking her puppy. her husband freaked out, and actually hit the bigger husky, whose owner blew up and cursed the guy all the way to the gate... it was a big scene at the dog park, and it was funny when the guy threatened the husky owner, "I'm gonna call the cops!" Turns out the husky owner WAS a cop. Makes me want to avoid the park, but Barley sooooooo loves it.

 

[MyIrishWolfie]

Cute. Looks like they had fun