our sheltie likes to constantly nibble on things

[curtis meighan]

Hi my wife and I have a 10month old Sheltie whose name is Nickel (to go along with our golden retriever Penny), we have noticed that Nickel likes to nip or nibble on things whenever we pet him just wondering if anyone on this site knows why and how to fix it if possible. Thanking in advance Curtis

 

[Toffee's Mom]

Hey Curtis
Yes, it's the age they do that, too

It's easy to fix if you pretend it hurts you... say eouuuuwwwtch, and stop the play. give him something else to bite, instead
So have him nibble on your hand, say owww, offer him the toy into his mouth instead and reward with a fun game

 

[Lightplum]

is it a grooming love bite or actually biting you? Mine mostly the males will love bite you if you scratch them just right!!!! Usually its either behind their ears, or their sides. Noah is my biggest nibbler...which I usually dont mind because he'll usually do it to my arm...however when I have him between my legs scratching his sides and he turns and nibbles the back of my leg I usually yell because theres enough there to pinch!

 

[Toffee's Mom]

is it a grooming love bite or actually biting you? Mine mostly the males will love bite you if you scratch them just right!!!! Usually its either behind their ears, or their sides. Noah is my biggest nibbler...which I usually dont mind because he'll usually do it to my arm...however when I have him between my legs scratching his sides and he turns and nibbles the back of my leg I usually yell because theres enough there to pinch!

oh, very good point and good question. I don't correct the ole love nibble, I love those. My German Shepherd also used to do some he used to nibble with the front teeth sorta

 

[Tagg]

We have a strict rule here. No teeth on human skin. It started when my second Belgian did the "love" nibble on a kid that was over playing with mine. He went home and told his parents that my dog bit him. "Lucy, I had some explaining to do".
I don't give a toy after screeching the ouch. I walk away or stop interacting with the little brat. In a litter, if a pup gets too rough with a sibling and it screeches out, it doesn't stick around to play - it stops the game. If the offending pup continues to come and play rough the mom will often step in and give it a nip or a warning - I choose the growl warning, "Cut". It has served me well in stopping any aggression between dogs as well. I've mentioned there have been times that Phoebe decides to step into a fracas and assert herself. One word - CUT - stops her dead in her tracks. She has never been physically chastised but she understands the tone and the word mean STOP.

 

[Shelby's mom]

We also do the over exaggerated "ouch" and get up and walk away. That seems to work well for us. But we also allow gentle nibblling. Shelby doesn't do it as much anymore. I am very ticklish so some times when we are playing she likes to gently nibble my side to tickle me. Crazy dog!