My 5 month old basset pup is "nipping" by that I mean that he will bite just a tiny bit of your skin in his front teeth. It hurts. He has drawn blood blisters on me and my 6 year old nephew. How do you stop this. My friend who is a huge animal lover says that it is part of the puppy phase and you have to just put up with it until he is about a year old. I don't buy that, as a matter of fact he's got about one more time to bite my nephew and I am going to have to look for a new home for him. Please don't tell me that I am being cruel if I give him up. I keep my nephew a good bit of the time and I will not subject him to a dog that is going to bite. If you have any serious suggestions please let me hear from you. I really love the dog, but the biting has got to stop.
2006-11-15 22:47:55 · 8 answers · asked by Only hell mama ever raised 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
If the puppy is just nipping with the front teeth, using repeated "nibbles", and not opening his mouth to grab your skin, it's most likely a misplaced sign of affection (my husband calls it "chincing") and it's rarely aggressive. Another dog might appreciate it, but a human, with thin skin and no protective fur, usually does not!
I would not, and do not put up with any mouth contact from any of my dogs, affectionate or not. For this behavior, a light tap on the nose and a sharp "No Bite" command will usually be enough to discourage the behavior. Many pups also respond well if you make a big fuss, screech, cry, and generally act like you are really hurt. Then ignore the pup for a few minutes to let him realize that the affection he craves is withheld when he uses his mouth.
Your puppy can "outgrow" this behavior much more quickly with active discouragement on your part!
2006-11-16 00:17:00 · answer #1 · answered by CS 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just as the mother dog would correct the puppy if he oversteps his bounds so should you. Be sure you never call him to you when he needs to be punished go to him instead. Rather than a smack what I normaly do is take the pup by the muzzle with my finger on top right at the point where it changes from bone to cartlidge and give correction there. It is more noticable and less likely to have negative effects such as could come from a raised hand.
One other thing you might do is to use either some bitter apple or bitter lime on your skin before being with the puppy so he learns that people do not taste good.
2006-11-16 07:07:25 · answer #2 · answered by femartist4patron 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had that problem with one of my dobermans. I stopped him from doing that by grabing ahold of his mouth and looking at him in the eyes and alittle pop on the tip of his mouth and tell him no . It only took a few times and he stopped .. Its not really a puppy stage thing its more like when he gets excited and is having trouble controling himself and wanting attention. He isnt doing it to be mean. You might just keep your nephew and the puppy seperated for the time being or teach your nephew to stand up for himself and when the dog wants to do that for your nephew to tell him no .
2006-11-16 07:33:27 · answer #3 · answered by hersheynrey 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are right. To a dog it is a sign of affection., kind of like grooming out of love. It doesn't hurt other dogs but, does hurt people. You must teach the dog to show its affection another way.
2006-11-16 09:23:39 · answer #4 · answered by st.lady (1 of GitEm's gang) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are correct this nipping behaviour needs to be stopped .TThis is him trying to gain dominance in the pack.I certainly would not allow a dog to bite me for a year before it would grow out of this
2006-11-16 07:01:34 · answer #5 · answered by knowsitallandabitmore 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
wack him on the nose when he does that...he'll learn not to do it. It is part of the puppy phase but like children, if you don't punish them for something they do wrong, they wont know it's wrong.
2006-11-16 06:56:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Squirt him with water when he does that (Or if he likes water...?) but that is a good suggestion what the 1st dude said
2006-11-16 07:02:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
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2006-11-16 08:44:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋