Nipping

[rotty wylde]

We have had our 9 week old puppy Dakota for 5 days. He's an absolute sweetheart.

My only problem is his nipping. He attacks people's feet and growls. Obviously this is not a behavior which can be tolerated.

My vet suggested we 'flick' him on the nose when we say a firm "NO". I tried it once or twice reluctantly. It seemed make him even more agressive.

One of the many puppy books we got b4 we brought him home suggested the puppy training can (pennies in the bottom of a soda can). Yesterday was the first day I tried it and it seemed to have worked. One firm shake accompanied by a firm "NO" stopped him whenever he did it. By the end of the day simply showing him the can stopped him. I was truly impressed.

Today however he doesn't seem to be responding as well as yesterday. A friend said her dog actually became immune to it after a few days. Is that what's happening?

Does anyone have any other suggestions for this? A 15 lb rotty pup that nips can be considered cute. A 180 lb rotty is a different story.

Jo~

[lblax]

Originally posted by rotty wylde
Does anyone have any other suggestions for this? A 15 lb rotty pup that nips can be considered cute. A 180 lb rotty is a different story.

Jo~

yes let it be a pup this will get better as it learns manners i never forced the issue with any of my pups. one thing that often works is give a high pitched ouch he will associate that with hurting his littermates and he will slow down and over time soften his bite... dogs that learn manners and are obedianced trained(when old enough) just dont carry being mouthy into adult hood.. try the yelpy ouch but dont do all the corrections and stuff like that let mim be a pup and try to occupie his tim with a variety of toys and games------a tired pup is a good pup

[Carina43]

Hi there Jo...puppies bite, it's just what they do! But of course, he should not be allowed to get into the habit of using his humans as chew toys, you are correct. :) He's just playing for now. I don't know anything about the shaking can thing, never done it.

I personally wouldn't use any physical corrections for mere playfulness, not with a baby. Here's a quick laundry list of things that are effective...although the most important element is PATIENCE with a puppy - I think Judy Crusch has an excellent thread about that in General Info. You can use the search function here too, there have been many discussions on puppy biting, and puppies in general.

*Have lots of good, acceptable chew & play toys for him.
*When he goes for your feet, freeze completely. Eventually (eventually being a key word here) if everyone is consistent with this, he will associate "attacking feet" with "immediate cessation of play." Then hand him a toy to chew on, and praise him.
*When he goes for your hands or arms while playing, yelp LOUD, very high pitched. Freeze. Then hand him a toy to chew on, and praise him. :)
*Buy a copy of "Rottweilers For Dummies." It's a great book, for dummies and non-dummies alike. :)
*Start working on little commands like sit, come, outside, inside, etc. If you use the same words for various actions, you will be amazed at how big his vocabulary will become in pretty short order. And you're exercising his little brain and getting him used to the idea of you being his director in all of life's activities. :)

I know I mentioned a couple of things not related directly to the nipping thing, but I don't think addressing one issue is that effective unless you are setting general training parameters(not saying you're not, just FYI)...and definitely consider enrolling him in puppy kindergarden as soon as he's had all his shots.

By the way, you had better hope he doesn't get to be 180lbs! That's the weight of two average sized adult males put together.

[Judi W]

Isn't that a great trick? Just shake that can at the pup everytime he's doing something wrong.

I don't like shaker cans and do not recommend them. Better you teach the pup what you want it to do. The shaker can is similar to someone who is yelling "no" all the time. It does not offer alternative actions.

You can always stop all motion, put your hand through the pup's collar (gently as you have learned, physical stimulation, stimulates the pup to further action) and stop the pup's movement for a minute. Take it to a toy, show the toy and say "good dog"..........

[rotty wylde]

Originally posted by lblax
occupie his tim with a variety of toys and games------a tired pup is a good pup

Thank you. You're absolutely right. And he loves to play. Dakota has a bunch of toys he loves to play with. From squeakie chew toys to the rope one (exact same one he had in his previous home) as well as his very own stuffed 'lovey'; a stuffed dog toy which squeaks.

Jo~