Hi, Otis has started to nip, and its really painful. He nipped, bit, the person who was looking after him today, nipped my dad yesterday, and I have a painful bruise nip from this morning. Mmmm, so what to do, and whys he started doing it I wonder. I haven't done any clicker training with him, and he dosent get any treats, I thought I would save that for puppy classes in August, also want to keep his weight good. I don't think the heat helps, but not sure its the reason. Hope this is just a puppy thing. Can anyone help? Thanks, Maggie
Re: Nipping My 8 and a half week old Murphy has just started nipping and snapping, literally just today. I think its just playfulness. I dont want it to become a habit though as Im sure you don't. Sorry I cant actually be helpful! Frankie x
Re: Nipping I think it is a puppy thing - I had to go to work in long sleeves for weeks due to nip marks. We had a session with the trainer and she said: First nip, say "ouch" really loudly and stop interacting for a few seconds. Next nip, "ouch" and stop any attention for 30 secs (yellow card) Third nip, "ouch" and leave the room for a minute or two (red card) We invented triple red card for when he had a complete nip fest - we put him in his room for 10 mins (after we'd got him fine and comfortable about being alone there) - this was massively successful, but probably because nip fest was due to being over excited, so being in a quiet room calmed him down. It worked! Don't get nipped now, he just mouths really, really gently. We are trying to bring that to an end in the next month. Hope some help...
Re: Nipping There are quite a few threads about nipping and biting. Julie covers most of it I think Here is a link to the main page it might help too. hpttp://www.thelabradorsite.com/?p=844 Jac
Re: Nipping yep, we like to bit toes here. not the most pleasant thing in the world especially as HD didn't do it. i didn't get her til she was 12 weeks so maybe she'd taken it all out on her siblings!
Re: Nipping its just a puppy thing.....it wont stop over night....you have got to be consistent no no no no......my jasper thought his name was NO , he as only just stopped nipping my son at 6 month old ......its just a teething thing but not nice when its happening to you
Re: Nipping Yep, what JulieT said Puppies are programmed to nip when they have those needle teeth as that is the prime time to learn not to bite hard. With needle teeth you don't need to exert much pressure to elicit a yelp and an end to play from your littermates or your humans. You learn that you have to be gentle with your jaw if you want to keep playing. Nipping is totally normal and is an important prompt for being taught how to interact gently with human skin.
