This is my third GSP puppy and definitely the most stubborn!  She will start nipping and play attacking, ignoring the "no" command.  She is coming up on 12 weeks old and behaves well in most other cases, but when she gets the "wild eye," all bets are off!

Would you recommend:

1) Placing her in her kennel until she calms down.

2) Gently squeezing her muzzle to prevent her from biting and causing mild discomfort.

3) Distracting her with a toy.

4) Performing an alpha roll

5) Other?

My youngest GSP, Halo, is now two years old.  We got her at 8 weeks and one of the first things I noticed with her is that she would all of a sudden get really hyper and active and run through the house.  We called these episodes the Crazy Halo.  Anyway, I soon realized that just like human kids she would act out when she got tired.  I started grabbing her and making her lay down.  I would have to hold her and insist since she was always really agitated.  Soon she would be sound asleep and would sleep very soundly.  So, it might be that she is getting tired and needs a nap break.  I would try putting her in her crate, but you might also have to insist she lay down.

If that doesn't work, I would use distraction and positive rewards for good behaviour.  Remember she will have teething issues until she gets her adult teeth, so also give her good safe stuff to chew on.  I keep a toy box for my fur kids and they know anything in there box they can get whenever they want.  Solved the chewing problems on mom's possessions.

Good Luck!! and congrats on your new pup.  Post some pictures.

Bev and the Pointers Sisters (Belle and Halo)

I generally gentley hold the muzzle closed for a couple seconds while saying AAAAAT, or no in a growly tone of voice (best I can to mimic mommy's growl). If the puppy responds to the correction he is rewarded with praise and then redirected to one of his toys that he can bite. However if the puppy procedes to bite or act inappropretaly still ,he recieves a more intense correction (nothing that would ever hurt him though...smacking, hitting etc aren't dog behaviours and can hurt the puppy) such as putting more pressure on the nose (it's natural for them to protest don't freak out if they whine a bit..their telling you they got the message) or a little shake of the scruff of the neck. You'd be surprised how fast they can turn off they're bad behavior and revert back to being little angels. Case in point Remi was being a big spaz the other night (somone had let him get away with some shananigins )and after ignoring several polite corrections from myself I had to really be "big bad mommy dog" and give him a growl and scuff shake within the count of two he was submissivly licking my chin with that I am sorry mommy I am sorry I was a bad puppy look on his face and then fell right asleep on my lap "what a good little puppy Remi". Some extremist might say I am mean, but I love my dogs  enough to give them a little "discomfort" now  to make make sure they are well adjusted adult dogs when they grow up....It would break my heart to have a dog of mine bite or hurt a child or be hit be a car because I was too "nice" not to correct them from jumping out of the car before I said they could.

Just don't forget to redirect after you have corrected. After showing him what not to do show him what he can do, and praise him for it.

Thanks everyone, she is doing much better!  It appeared to be a short phase that we quickly worked through.  An amazing puppy, it is incredible what a difference top breeding makes, she shows so much natural ability I have a hard time believing it!