Puppy nipping

[Toffee's Mom]

We do have different opinions and I think just because I truly hate that book and completely disagree with a punitive based approach to dogtraining in this day and age, it doesn't mean I don't appreciate or that I dislike my friends on here who disagree with me. They may think it a good resource, because they've found it valuable to them in the past.
However, since the original poster had a question I certainly will not derail the thread and only just recommend the approach Caro and Corbinam already spelled out!!
Ian Dunbar's DogStar Daily website has tons and tons of free and and modern, yet common sense dog training advice.

 

[BarbV]

In reality most times when you ask a question you are going to get swing votes. I think a lot of people endorse the monks view because they trust the sources. They are active and respected members of the forum.

In reality , once you really get to know the forum, yo will learn who are moderates, and who have definite opinions in either extremes. Just check out discussions on Caesar!

And who also is more likely to express an opinion on specific topics. You eventually learn who you are going to trust more on specific topics. They are not always the same person. I trust some more on grooming, than food and vice versa

But it really takes time on the forum to separate the mouthy ones from the truly informed.

Btw...you will notice that I've ducked from identifying myself from any group!

 

[Simba13]

When he nips, it's no more fun. Remove him from the stimulus. Ask that the children make a loud "ouch" and withdraw from petting him. My puppy nips by accident every once in a while when we are playing and the play stops immediately.

Thanks a million for this advice. He also keeps jumping on the back of legs when walking on the lead but only when we come close to my house, any idea how I could stop this?

 

[trini]

Just finished reading "The Art Of Raising a Puppy" and found this interesting:

to teach a pup that mouthing is not acceptable, when he/she does it you are supposed to put your finger in their throat just enough to get the gag reflex (no long fingernails please)

In one of the very first puppy ob classes I took one of my shelties to the instructor told a student to do this to her puppy when he nipped her in play. That was the last day I attended any class taught by that instructor.

I firmly believe that all behavior can be taught without ever resorting to what I consider borderline abusive behavior. I know the Monks are held up by many as the "authority" on raising a good puppy...but whenever you read a book on dog training I think you have to let your own gut feelings dictate what you take from that book and what you discard. I would never want a dog of mine to view my hands as tools that deliberately deliver any level of discomfort and fingers down a throat until gagging is discomfort.

Trini

 

[Caro]

Thanks a million for this advice. He also keeps jumping on the back of legs when walking on the lead but only when we come close to my house, any idea how I could stop this?

Couple of things you can do when he's nipping your heels. One is to stop stand still and wait until he calms down. Every time he does it stop and wait him out - it's a good way to teach a little self control as well as deal with the nipping. The other option is to redirect. When he goes to nip (or you think he will nip) shove a toy in his mouth. It's always worthwhile taking a toy on a walk just to get his attention anyway and as a reward, so you could use this toy to redirect his mouth onto something more appropriate. My male (hand reared single pup) was a particularly bad heel nipper. I redirected him now when he feels the need to nip he redirects himself - he'll pick up a stick or if there's none of them he may bit on his lead, but it's still better than my ankles.

 

[trini]

Couple of things you can do when he's nipping your heels. One is to stop stand still and wait until he calms down. Every time he does it stop and wait him out - it's a good way to teach a little self control as well as deal with the nipping. The other option is to redirect. When he goes to nip (or you think he will nip) shove a toy in his mouth. It's always worthwhile taking a toy on a walk just to get his attention anyway and as a reward, so you could use this toy to redirect his mouth onto something more appropriate. My male (hand reared single pup) was a particularly bad heel nipper. I redirected him now when he feels the need to nip he redirects himself - he'll pick up a stick or if there's none of them he may bit on his lead, but it's still better than my ankles.

Agreed...you can also tie a toy to the end of either a piece of string or a wooden dowel and "walk" the toy beside you right in front of his nose so his attention focuses on the toy rather than your leg. I have done this with great success with a couple of my fosters who came into rescue as dedicated heel nippers.

Trini

 

[Simba13]

Couple of things you can do when he's nipping your heels. One is to stop stand still and wait until he calms down. Every time he does it stop and wait him out - it's a good way to teach a little self control as well as deal with the nipping. The other option is to redirect. When he goes to nip (or you think he will nip) shove a toy in his mouth. It's always worthwhile taking a toy on a walk just to get his attention anyway and as a reward, so you could use this toy to redirect his mouth onto something more appropriate. My male (hand reared single pup) was a particularly bad heel nipper. I redirected him now when he feels the need to nip he redirects himself - he'll pick up a stick or if there's none of them he may bit on his lead, but it's still better than my ankles.

I will definitely bring a toy with me from now on! Thank you. None of my other dogs did this when they were pups so I wasn't sure how to stop it.

 

[Simba13]

Agreed...you can also tie a toy to the end of either a piece of string or a wooden dowel and "walk" the toy beside you right in front of his nose so his attention focuses on the toy rather than your leg. I have done this with great success with a couple of my fosters who came into rescue as dedicated heel nippers.

Trini

Thanks for the advice. I have a ball on a string that he loves so hopefully that will work

 

[BarbV]

Personally, I generally shy away from training techniques that require me to drape myself with toys and treat bags as I move around the house! That being said I have treats handy, but I rely more in verbal praise and attention. Those are ALWAYS ready at hand.

I rely on the "ouch" method as well. If pup is particularly mouthy, then yes, I will redirect. If a yelp doesn't do it. But I refuse to attach a toy to a string behind me! That will just encourage him to chase me more, in my mind......

 

[bkzoo]

Just now getting caught up on reading...

For the record, I just repeated what I read & said it was interesting - not that I agreed with it. I appreciate that I didn't get tarred & feathered. I honestly don't think I could bring myself to do what they suggested...

I had actually never heard of that book before joining this group and after reading it there were some things I liked, some I didn't. I think I did pretty good with Trace, am just trying to gather knowledge from many different sources, so I can give Baker the best upbringing possible.