Skip to content

Puppy nipping?

Basenji Training
  • Any ideas on teaching a 6wk old puppy not to nip and bite you when they are playing? The puppy out of my litter Im keeping is HORRIBLE when it comes to that.

  • Is the puppy overexcited when she is doing it or more calm?

  • She usually does it when excited and when shes just chill in my lap. She'll get over-stimulated at random and go for anything on me she can reach

  • ALL PLAY STOPS OR PETTING. Put her back with the litter or with the adults. They will teach her…... Advantage of having littermates and adult dogs in the house.

  • @tanza:

    ALL PLAY STOPS OR PETTING. Put her back with the litter or with the adults. They will teach her…... Advantage of having littermates and adult dogs in the house.

    And this is exactly why puppies need to be at least 10 weeks before they go to their new homes. They learn so much from their mom and the litter mates at this time - bite inhibition is one of these things.

  • I agree! I brought Spencer home at eight weeks, and I will wait another 2-4 weeks next time. Spencer was a play-nipper, because he simply didn't understand that his teeth were hurtful. I started shrieking in pain (not always pretending!) and withdrawing whenever he would nip, and he would stop and stare at me in total puzzlement. Soon, all I had to do was scream "Owww!", shake my hand like it hurt and stop playing. Luckily, he caught on quickly. :)

  • ROFLMAO, bitey might be the call name. I of course have Cara who had a gazillion play mates and adult B's and she still is the single most mouthy creature I have ever owned. As I have posted, she often went to sleep with her mouth wrapped around my arm or hand rubbing me with her tongue. And I didn't get her til 12 1/2 wks of age.

    That said, yeah, most of the time the pack puts an end to the mouthiness and immediate "NO TEETH" and ignore helps.

  • Some are more mouthy then others…. and ones that are over the top with biting, nipping, etc usually are dominate.... It is important to watch the interaction with the all the pups in the litter as that will really tell you the temperament types of the pups.

  • LOL someone posted this yesterday and I have to share. Your pup?
    attachment_p_153898_0_pickup.jpg

Suggested Topics

  • Puppy biting

    Basenji Training
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    10k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @drew82 I've been doing rescue and breeding (not Basenjis, and not for 20 yrs now)... and I have to say that among responsible trainers, rescues, breeders and professional veterinary behaviorists, you won't find any who will say under 8 weeks is okay for any breed... and for many, 10 to 12 weeks is recommended. It is in fact illegal to take puppies under 8 weeks from some states and it should be in all of them. Call a few dozen rescues and ask them how many animals they deal with that have issues started from being placed too young. It is good you are working on things, just hopefully the physical responses won't continue. No breed needs to be swatted or even mildly hurt for training. Basenjis even less so than many. It hurts your relationship with the puppy, and you are punishing a baby for being a baby... there is no "rebellious thing"... just normal behavior you have to patiently train away from.
  • Puppy training at night

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    Baba BamideleB
    The rule of thumb I was taught is that a puppy can only wait an amount of time equal to their age in months plus one. So, at eight weeks old (two months), your pup can hold it three hours tops (1 month + 1 month + 1). You should probably schedule a couple of potty visits outside during the night, even though it will be a pain. When we got Cosette, my wife and set a timer for three hours and three hours beyond that. We took turns taking her outside. At twelve weeks old, we were able to lengthen the time between breaks to 4 hours, then 5 hours at sixteen weeks, etc. It's tough, but it will keep your home (and her crate) clean!
  • Puppy behavior

    Basenji Training
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    6k Views
    lvossL
    There are many different ways to train loose leash walking. I like training it in a class with distractions and for my baby puppies that is really where they learn what a leash is. I took my boys to class for the first time this week and the only thing we worked on was loose leash. We started just standing in place and click/treat for loose leash. Then we would like a step and when the puppy followed we click/treat again when the leash is loose. The boys were walking pretty good with me and my husband for most of the class. I also like using a long line for loose leash, it really seems to help them understand that being near me is the behavior I want since they have the choice to go quite a distance from me but are only get a click/treat if they are close enough for me to touch them. Make sure you are using really yummy treats in class, it helps you to compete with the distractions. Many people bring kibble or other so-so treats that the dogs are happy working for at home but can't compete with the excitement of class.
  • The puppies first practice

    Basenji Training
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    BasenjimammaB
    Lisa..we will have to be there…I live in Waller-ish...about 10 minutes or so away..too cool.
  • Puppy Nipping

    Basenji Training
    23
    0 Votes
    23 Posts
    7k Views
    Robin_n_JackR
    @JazzysMom: With Keoki we have to firmly say, "NO" and if he doesn't stop, we hold him under the neck – not tightly, just enough so he can't grab -- and make him sit. Then we look him in the eye and say, "NO! Enough!". That usually does it for him, and he's getting better and better at either not biting and/or listening the first time. He usually does stop the first time w/me, and in fact seldom does bite at me in play, but not as well with Dh and the kids . One of my dd's says it's because he's afraid of me, but that is not the case. He never cringes, he just listens to the Mama! I think he sees the other dogs and the kids listening to me, and the fact that I don't ask or beg him to stop doing things. I TELL him. I am working to get the family to see the difference, and to stop bouncing around while saying, NO. LOL Same for me- that is exactly what I do! When he was younger we tried the yelp, and we tried ignoring him….neither seemed to work very well for us. This seems to work very well, at least in our case.
  • Puppy crate question

    Basenji Training
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    10k Views
    QuercusQ
    Sounds like progress! I am sure he will adust perfectly!