So, lately Jackie has started nipping at me when he gets excited. When he sees I'm getting ready for a walk, when he gets over excited when playing, when he is jumping up and down and wants my attention. I've tried the "turn away and give NO attention until he's standing still" method, but yesterday he actually nipped my butt hard. I was so shocked I twirled and scruffed him with a loud NO!, but I know that isn't the right way to do things. Any suggestions?
I'm glad you know that scruffing and shouting at Jackie is not the right way and won't help with this at all He is excited to go for a walk, so if he is jumping up put the lead down walk away and wait for him to calm down, ask him to "sit" to have his lead put on which will help him control himself a little, if he doesn't you have to repeat the exercise until he does, he will get the message. If he nips you when he wants your attention don't give it to him and when he is calm you can try playing nicely with him with a toy or do a little retrieving. Have you done any clicker training with Jackie? This is a very helpful way of C&T for all paws on the floor. There is a lot of information on clicker training on the forum and many, many of us use it with great success. I use it with Charlie my rescue dog and he can do all manner of things. Worth a try! x
Yeah I know it was wrong, at the time I was reacting purely from shock that he bit(nipped hard) my ass. Thankfully he didn't take it hard. Heck compared to how insecure he was when he got here, he was barely fazed at all. Met my eyes with a big dopey grin at that. Yeah, I do clicker train, and he is really good with his commands, except stay, and I have been trying to get paws to the floor, but the association is taking some time, and I try to stop our sessions on a high note before he gets frustrated.
This has brought flashbacks of trying to get ready to go out with Coco at 16 months (and new to us). I can't even think how we got over it, I just know we did, trying a bit of everything suggested on the board. I shouted and yelled and this, rather predictably, did not help, but in the moment it's so hard to keep cool. Step away and count to 10, or 20 or 100 - just to bring yourself back to calm.
What gets to me is that it's something he started doing recently. Clearly I'm doing something wrong that encourages it.
No it's not necessarily anything you are doing. Jackie had been with you some time now so is feeling relaxed and settled so is offering the type of behaviour many get from their teenage dog. So big breath, stay calm and you will get through this. If Jackie starts jumping when you pick up his lead, put the lead down and wait until he's quiet and try again. Going for a walk is exciting fir most dogs so its just a case of Jackie learning to manage his excitement. Excitement/jumping stops interaction calmness goes for walks, has fun etc. If he is nipping you rather than turning your back walk out the room and ignore him for 10 seconds or whatever then try again. He'll soon be back to his normal self, just needs time, training and consistency.
I agree with Rosemary, Charlie was 9 months old when he came to us, he took sometime to settle in. It takes a while for some rescue dogs to show their true 'colours' but at least you know what you have to deal with and can crack on with training the behaviours you want
