Any advice on trying to get your 17 month old to stop biting the dogs

Keep him and the dogs seperated for a few days. Then reintreoduce them as pets

We started timeouts right at 12mo. It's deffinately not too early for you to give it a try.
It will take practice and patience. The first time we did it, she flipped out. Hold your ground. The next time she went right for the chair and sat down. It's not always going to be easy but it's one hundred percent easier if you stay consistant. If he say, hits, and you think that deserves a timeout, then always do it, every single time he does it. Timeouts don't work for some people because they give up too soon. We've been at it a year and it works, actually we are at the point where we just have to threaten it and she stops her bad behavior.

That's funny, but poor dog's! My kiddie was a biter and it last until she was 21/2 yrs old. So with all the time outs, she finally got it.

I don't think he's too young for time outs :)

My son put himself in timeouts. He was the only self regulating toddler I know.

My dd did it with our dogs...She stopped finally when we started to spank her for it. if that doesnt work seperate him from the dogs. dont allow them in the same room till hes a lil older.

We started time out and go to your room early as well. My 26 month old still puts random things in her mouth. We just have to keep an eye out.

You shouldn't allow him to treat them like that, even if they are patient enough, they dont deserve it. He is old enough for a timeout, and if he doesn't know how to properly treat the animals, he shouldn't be alone with them. Always be right there with him when he is with the dogs, show him how to be nice and pet them gently, and if he tries anything, take him away from them right away, say "you do not bite the dog, its not nice, you hurt the dog so he/she doesnt want to play with you anymore" and put him in timeout for a couple minutes, then talk about it.

I don't think spanking is a good way to teach a child to keep their hands or teeth to themselves (I've spanked but it's only when the behavior can never be repeated again, like pulling away from me in a parking lot, I honestly can't remember the last time I spanked.) I agree with time out it can be done at this age. We started time out pretty early with the girls. I definately wouldn't leave him alone near the dogs bc that's just asking for a disaster. Be sure to show him the right way to handle a dog and reinforce it, thats a life long lesson. Definatly don't be afraid to show him you're upset if he does it or is going to do it. Plus when you put him in time out you're taking that yummy doggie away.  

it's up to you to make him stay in time out... you'll have to sit there with him, at first, and keep putting him back in the time out chair/place until he stays... just a couple of minutes at this age... not more than 2-3 minutes at a time, but make him stay, and keep re-starting the timer (an egg timer works great) until he completes his time by staying in place... just be consistent, and it WILL work, but you have to be strong, and not give in because you're tired of putting him back... he wins if you do that, and believe me, it gets worse, if you let him win now.
and in the meantime, make sure he's well supervised with the dogs, and time out EVERY TIME he misbehaves with them ... he will learn, if you give him consistant rules and enforcement

Good luck