Re: When I stroke my puppy (3 months old) on the head, she turns and nips at me Perhaps she just doesn't like being stroked on the head. Many dogs don't. My pup, Maisie, is quite friendly and goes up to people when she is on a walk to 'say hi' (if they show an interest in her, otherwise we ignore them). But often then they'll reach out to pat her on the head, so she jumps away because she doesn't like being patted on the head by strangers. She enjoys an ear itch from me, but mostly I pet her on her back, butt (the backs of her legs lol) and stomach. Those are her favourite spots to be patted. She is also perhaps too young to really enjoy being stroked, or perhaps hasn't quite learned not to bite yet (takes awhile!!! We have all been there with our "crocopups"). Maisie cuddled but didn't really get "petting" when she was younger. Even now if I rile her up too much while petting, she might go for a chomp (but a gentler one) and if I stick my hand in her mouth she won't bite it and pretends she never had her mouth open in the first place. It just takes awhile to learn bite inhibition.
Re: When I stroke my puppy (3 months old) on the head, she turns and nips at me A lot of dogs don't like this ...my boy is nearly 3 and he ducks his head if someone tries to stroke him on the top of the head.....even with us . I watched a video and it's a body language /action that can make them feel threatened.if someone asks to stroke him I always say yes,but under his chin,he likes that much better.When he's relaxed it's not a problem,in fact I'm typing this with my elbow resting on the top of his head : I'd just avoid doing it and find the other parts she likes to be touched x
Re: When I stroke my puppy (3 months old) on the head, she turns and nips at me [quote author=tory link=topic=10700.msg158747#msg158747 date=1429831132] What to do? [/quote] Stop stroking her on the head. Many dogs (my own included) just don't like it, they find it threatening. Far better to stroke the chin or chest (even better if you can crouch down so the action is even less intimidating).
Re: When I stroke my puppy (3 months old) on the head, she turns and nips at me I'm forever telling my husband that the way he strokes her is intimidating, with his hand coming straight down on top of her head. I think my family need training My 3 month old pup also often opens her mouth and/or bites when she's stroked. The past couple of days I've been trying really hard to be calm around her when I'm stroking her and to click and treat for calm behaviour from her. I've really slowed my stroking down so it's more of a massage than the type of petting which would work her up. It also means that when she does go to nip me it's a little more restrained and easier for me to calmly take my hand away or move away from her. I do need to catch her in the right mood though, if she needs a rest/sleep then crate time with a Kong or chew is the only thing which will calm her down.
