how do i get my puppy to stop nipping all the time?

Question

she's a 10 week old bichon frise and we don't know what to do

Answer 1

Jenny Lou, this is going to sound a little weird, but this is what I learned in puppy class with my pups (and I used to volunteer in a puppy class, too).

First of all, with the nipping, if they nip you on the hand or anywhere where there is skin, you have to yelp as though you were another pup. Dogs learn bite inhibition in the litter. They give signals to eachother when they play--"you're biting too hard," is one that they give, either by reacting with a nip, or by yelping. The dog will only know if it has done something wrong if you tell it that it has done something wrong (don't scruff it!! The dog will become hand-shy and timid if you scruff. And don't do as some others have suggested--DON'T swat it on the nose. This will also cause hand shyness.)

Next, if the dog keeps nipping, even after you've yelped, pick it up and cradle it on its back. Rub its belly and keep it from squirming away from you. Only when the dog becomes relaxed and stops writhing, do you let it go. This will calm the pup, and lessen its (immediate) rambunctious behavior. When you release the pup, give it lots of praise--the relaxation is what you're praising...the crazy/hyper behavior is what you're trying to "cure" the pup of.

Finally, consider a puppy class that uses a positive-reenforcement tequnique for training. Sirius Puppy Classes are popular on the West Coast. The class should also allow for a playtime, where all the puppies get together and socialize.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Do it like what the famous Dog Whisperer does....let your puppy nip at your hands and exagerate the pain loudly so that your puppy knows that there are things that she can't nip because they have feelings too. Your puppy is going through a phase of explore her surroundings and she will outgrow naturally or through owner's disciplinary actions.

Make sure there are enough toys to keep her occupied to prevent her from nipping at objects around the house. If her nipping persists and is causing some damage to your furniture, catch her red-handed, scold her and 'ostracise' her for a while. Never come home to discipline her after witnessing the aftermath. Dogs get confused when you punish her AFTER her bad deed....so always catch her red-pawed.

Answer 3

As far as I am concerned you don't "thump" a dog's nose. Thump your own and see if it hurts. But I don't smack a child on their butt either.

The bottle is the best. I have a spray bottle that you can buy anywhere, like to mist plants. You can buy them anywhere for about 95 cents.
I have a Maltese and he is six months old now. He started the nipping when he started teething. Some times when we played, he would get carried away and bite. I started using the bottle. Not only does it work and hurts them in no way, it is funny. It is funny because I have used it long enough that when he bites now I say
"O.K. Where is the water bottle?" He gives me a very dirty look and walks away.

Try it. It is great and cheap..........

Answer 4

When I took my puppy through puppy class, the trainer said this. When the puppy bites, nips or whatever, make a loud yelping noise like another puppy. That's what your dog's litter mates would have done.

Answer 5

Stop putting your hand or fingers into your mouth at all! Don't hit her, but hold her muzzle for a few seconds until she gives in. You be the leader-stand up quickly and either say-"No" or bark at her as loud as you can! Guaranteed, she'll listen if you're her leader.

Answer 6

Water bottle, yelping loudly, or the breeder that i got my Newfoundland from said to let her bite but move your finger around inside her mouth and flick the roof of the mouth..it doesn't really hurt and they don't associate that your doing it , they think that biting you causes that little jolt

Answer 7

It sounds cruel....but "thunk" her on the nose EVERY time she nips & say NO-NO!.
Be consistent & she will learn.
It will sting, but not hurt her too much, like smacking a kid on the butt.

Answer 8

Try tapping her on the nose and say NO really sharply.

Answer 9

CURB THAT QUICK

I BUY A PACK OF WATER GUNS

THE SMALL ONES
NOT SUPER SOAKERS
AND WHEN MY PUPPIES DID BAD HABITS I JUST GAVE THEM A LITTLE SQUIRT OF WATER AND THAT STOPPED THEM IN THEIR TRACKS!
STILL WORKS NOW AS THEY ARE OLDER TOO