How do I stop my dog from nipping?
Hi Sandy,
I have an 11 month old Weimaraner...Rudiger. Most of the time he can be a great dog... He is definitely a hyper dog though...especially when people arrive to our home (including my husband from work/kids coming home from school etc...). He trys to jump up on them initially, but will generally listen to our commands to not jump. Allbeit tough. Our main problem is that he likes to nibble/nip/bite all the time. When we ask for a kiss/ snuggle or hug from him his initial response is to nip at us (kinda like he is "biting his fleas") or wraps his whole mouth around our hand or arm or even jump at our face-- even when he is calm. We try the holding of the snout and say "NO Bite", but it doesn't seem to faze him. We tell him give "kisses" and he eventually does... but we really want him to stop this behavior...it hurts.
PS... He has had his first good manners class and passed it over the summer.
Any ideas?
Regi and Rudi in Maryland
Hi,
My guess is that your behavior is very puzzling to your dog. Try and
think like a dog for a moment. Dogs don't kiss, snuggle or hug. Dogs do
show affection by playing with each other and nipping.
So in your dog's mind, you ask for affection and then you punish when he
gives it.
I would therefore suggest that you quit confusing your puppy. Bring the
kiss, snuggle and hugs to a screeching halt. Try to ignore how much like
a little human that Rudiger may seem.
He is a dog.
Make a clear rule that no biting/nipping of humans is allowed. Then
consistently enforce it. You can pop him on the nose, confine him to his
crate, squirt him with a water bottle, put your fingers down his throat
or any one of numerous unpleasant things (I think you get the idea). But
the operative principle must be that each and every single time that he
nips it is met with an unpleasant outcome. If you are patient and
consistently form the association in your dog's mind that nipping equals
unpleasant outcomes, then I guarantee you he will stop nipping.
Finally, stop confusing him with the snuggles. You can teach him at a
latter date to give kisses. But until the nipping stops, you want to
make it crystal clear that he doesn't put his mouth on humans.
Good Luck!
Sandy
