My cocker bitch has just hit six months, along with all her lovely new teeth. I've been prepared for this as I know the combination of new teeth and the age where they start to test you to see if they can be top dog can lead to a lot of biting. But she seems to only do it when I try to praise her. I go to training every week and I have her trained to quite a few tricks for her age but every time I go to praise her she bites me. You only have to look at the grin on her face to know she is having a really good game and not attacking me. She also snaps a lot, although not when food's involved, just when she thinks she's playing. My question is, how do I praise her for getting something right, and tell her off for biting at the same time? I don't want to give her mixed signals. Thanks

you dont have to stroke her to praise her .  One of mine that did OB/AG was praised with just a look and good  girl,  I found out early on in her training if I went to praise with a stroke she broke her position and this would excite her too much as I have a breed that is boisterous and exciteable, although very intelligent. She knew I was happy with her by my tone of voice and I knew she understood as she wagged her tail.
Depending on what training you are doing have a tuggy and play with it with her for a few mins then take it away and use that as her praise or throw her a ball (but that can be more difficult to get off her)

Roni

I was told the minute teeth touch you to turn away ignore and walk away
regardless of what was done well prior to that
I do know my dad had issues with his springer (1980) and he was told to grab the muzzle and hold it closed!!!!
Whether that worked or it was coincidence I don't know though
the walking away and taking awayof toys that are involved in it worked with our ridgeback girl.
She has a very soft mouth bless her
otherwise stop the behaviour that causes the snapping...
Change routine of praise?

Thanks for the advice. I've booked her in for 'the dog borstal experience' at our training school, 3 says of intensive training. More for my partner than her but I am really hoping it will do her good too. I use a kong toy with her which she loves and is so focused on and that helps her not to bite me so much, but she still gets a bit confused some times, bless. I've also changed her treats from ham and cheese to raw beef and seen a massive improvement with all her behavior and it's easier to treat her without her biting me as it sticks to my fingers without me having to hold it.
I find if I just use my voice she jumps up, maybe as she is used to hands on praise but I will try it. I will also try the moving away and use the no command too. Thanks

The advise in this article is EXCELLENT and works    the more BITEY the better as they have more opportunity to learn bite inhibition

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=64170.0;wap2

Remember the more you practise this with your dog the better it will work