I just noticed that it has been almost two months since my last post. Things are getting better. We found a way of getting Samson to pay attention and to calm down.
I had signed us up for a puppy behavior class, as much for reminding me how to train and to give Samson the chance to socialize with other dogs. We went to four of the classes, two which actually allowed the dogs to play after the training sessions. I pick the wrong class, but the socialization was very successful. The classes were geared for agility training and competition and I did not want to make him a show dog. Not that I think anything wrong or bad with show agility or show in any form except for the grooming requirements. Some shows require certain breeds have the ears cropped or vocal cords cut, etc.
We want a companion dog and thats the focus of our training. So after some deep thoughts and a lot of phone calls, Samson and I joined in a members only dog park. Part of the membership is doggie day care. That is probably the best money I have spent in a long time.
The dogs that live at the park (the park is on the property of the owner so there is onsite kenneling and pets there all the time to play with). Are all very socialized and the visiting dogs are tagged as to degree of playfulness and socialization. The owners also foster a couple of LARGE dogs, one( Faeden) who is part wolf. Faeden is extremely gentle and loving but is also the ALPHA. So Samson is getting doggie play and doggie life lessons. He has matured a lot in the last six weeks, he understands that he is no longer top banana but part of a pack and must behave like one. So for all of our training ups and downs I have discovered that letting a good dog pack train the puppy is the best way, and will advise anyone who has a puppy without others around to play with should make arrangements for a day care visit at least once a week for the mental health of all.

After my post on Biting and our decision to use a more physical training method, I received a number of replies advocating each method. One of the more concise posts was from Kathy (aka Elsa_Mama on ICHC) so with her permission I will post it here.

I understand your frustration, but I still disagree with "physical" training. Can you look in your area for a clicker or positive trainer who could work more closely with you? If he is getting dangerous in his biting you may need a professional. Clickersolutions.com has LOTS of helpful hints and articles. They are written by well respected animal behaviorists. There is a whole section on "aggression" issues and dominance. There is also a Clicker Solutions Yahoo Group with a lot of professional trainers on it. They will only discuss positive training methods. How old is Samson? How long did he stay with his litter mates? How old was he when you got him? How big he is right now? When did he start his "bad" behaviors? Is there any time that he less exuberant? Does he walk on a leash? Can you take him on a good long walk and then work with him afterwards when he is more relaxed? Until then you may need to keep him on a leash so he cannot continue to reinforce his dominance.
For the free play biting issue - just do not pick up the Kong until Samson is sitting. I know it will interrupt the "play" bit it is necessary. Play may need to be less wild till he learns better. Trade him a treat or his food for the Kong. Then throw it again , etc. I had to persuade my son not to get too wild with our Siberian Husky, because he (the dog) wanted to play too rough. I told him that if he gets on the floor to play like a dog, then he can expect Bandit to treat him like he would a dog — which includes teeth. Some dogs you can wrestle — others not so much. My Springer will also sometimes make a grab for his ball as I go to take it, but he has a very soft mouth. Still, when he was younger I would not take the ball to throw it until he dropped it and if he made a move towards it as I went for it I just stood up. He learned not to lunge for the ball. If his teeth do touch skin your hubby or whoever should yip, immediately stand up and walk away. Play stops immediately.
For the jumping you may need to use some management. You cannot let him bite and tear your clothes. That by itself is rewarding to him. Use a leash to contain him. Tie the leash to something. If he sits quietly on the leash - go over and pet him. If he jumps wildly or cries, ignore him. He will figure it out pretty quickly. You can also step on the leash so he cannot jump up. With the kennel - only let him out when he is sitting quietly. He is going to give you a run for your money. Aussies are VERY smart and this is not always a good thing. You can inadvertently teach them something without meaning to and it is almost always something you would rather they would not do. I am not that familiar with Great Pyrs, but they are a herding/guardian breed — which pretty much guarantees an independent willful nature. He is still very young, I am sure you can work thru this with time, patience and consistency.
When he is biting does he break the skin? Does he hold on or it passing contact? I can only say that right now you have to manage him to keep him from having so much fun beating everybody up. Use the kennel, and a leash to keep him contained. Whenever he is calm, interact with him, praise him and treat him. The SECOND he gets out of control walk out of leash range or put in the kennel with as little emotion as possible. When he is in the kennel or on the leash ignore him completely unless he is being good. Do not talk to him or anything. It will be hard. You may see what is called extinction behavior — the bad behavior will get worse right before it improves. Any reward for the bad behavior, even yelling at him, will reinforce it.

Ohai, iz mii Samson. Ai R 16 weeks nawt young an ai haz doubloled mi wait in 9 weeks. Ai iz still a gud goggie, dough fore sum reeson Pop an Mum sae ai iz in trublol caus ai wanna bee da boss.

Sorry I have been gone, but we have been having a lot of problems with biting and I wanted it settled before I posted.

Samson started Puppy Kindergarten on Sunday. I spoke to the trainer about his insistence on biting. Samson continues to put his mouth on us, and his jumping on people has become serious. The trainers advocate putting Samson in his kennel for increasing periods of time. Samson is VERY alpha, we were beginning to think that he could be having aggression issues. This is not good, aggressive dogs are dangerous.

Yesterday I took Samson to the Vet for his last set of puppy vaccinations. I spoke to both the Vet and his son Scott, ( the practice's office manager ) who is very involved in Afghan Hound Rescue. They both "tested/observed" Samson in dominance situations and stated that although Samson is very Alpha dominant he shows no sign of aggression.

So, why the problems with the biting and not being able to get him to stop. As a matter of fact, Samson has broken the skin on my husband's hands while playing. Our beloved Vet who has been in practice for over forty years and with the highest graduating GPA achieved up to that point, looked me in the eye and said "so, get physical with him". When he acts up grab him around the muzzle and back of the neck and force him to the ground. Locking him in his kennel wont due anything. Scott told me to lightly smack Samson on the nose with a sharp "no". It wont hurt him as much as get his attention. The mother of a puppy will do the same thing, smack a puppy on the nose with her paw or step on the puppy to pin him down when he gets too "big for his britches" as my Grandmother used to say.

So the dilemma is, do we go with the Kennel system or follow the natural pack system for training Samson not to bite. For me it was a no-brainer, I will follow the natural order and smack when necessary. In the last 24 hours, the family dynamic has changed for the better. And no, we haven't been beating him. It only took three smacks for Samson to decide that biting/nipping me was not getting him anywhere. As a matter of fact, it's uncomfortable plus when I smack him it affects his jump and throws him off.

The first training episode took less than five minutes. The first three times Samson; running, jumped at me, I smacked his nose and he dropped onto the ground. The fourth time Samson ran at me, as I put my hand out, Samson kept running without jumping. He ran past me, stopped and dropped into a stay position. The down side is that like many kids who have been disciplined, Samson started acting up peeing in the house several times yesterday. Oh, the joys of puppyhood.

Mi naem haz been changed...eet iz now SAMSON NO!!! Ai doen lik mi new naem, cuz eet meenz Mum or Pop finks ai doen sumfing bad. Ai nawt bad jus misunnerstood. Ai still lub Mum an Pop, butt dey kin getz rid ob da cat bruvvers ani tyme now.
Boofs and tayle wags,
Lubz; Samson No!!!