Skip to content

Nipping

Behavioral Issues
  • Anne has gotten quite bitey lately! If I go to pet her after she does something good she'll nip at me playfully or if I have a treat in my hand she'll nip at it to get the treat.

    Now, I know the normal way to deal with dogs doing this is to stop play immediately and turn away, maybe say ouch when they nip… and then they should feel bad that they stopped play time because they nipped. I've been doing this anytime she nips, but I don't really think it is connecting.

    If she nips at me and I stop playing or petting her and turn away she sort of just goes "whatever" almost instantly and goes to find something else to do. She doesn't really seem to be affected by me withdrawing my attention because she bit.

    Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with a particularly bitey basenji pup who loses interest quickly? D:

  • Don't give her the treat then.

  • Since she is wandering off and not continuing to push for your attention it sounds like she is reading your turn away corrrectly. When you turn away from a dog it is a distance increasing signal.

    When you turn back and invite her back to you, what does she do?

    Remember she is still young and learning self-control. This sort of behavior is related to your other post about her having difficulty holding body position for extended periods of time. She is still learning self control.

    I like Levels because it breaks the training up into smaller parts, http://dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Levels/ByLevel/1Level.html

Suggested Topics

  • Nipping

    Behavioral Issues
    29
    0 Votes
    29 Posts
    10k Views
    FlashF
    @ember-the-basenji I relate to your comment about your basenji being aggressive towards white fluffy dogs. I wonder why these dogs attract their attention.
  • Nipping

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    B
    Thank you I will.
  • Otis just nipped my son…

    Behavioral Issues
    135
    0 Votes
    135 Posts
    41k Views
    MacPackM
    You chose an alternative that was very hard for you, but gave Otis a wonderful chance at a new life is a situation better suited to his temperament. I do not call that failure, quite the opposite, you made for success for Otis. Sometimes love just isn't enough to overcome situational issues, but you found a perfect solution. Thank you for the update, I had been thinking about you but didn't want to ask.
  • Nipping

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    MiaM
    lol Luv, yes Mia does the same, now when we pull out the water bottle, she scrams as fast as she can, and just stares at it on the counter lol…such funny little personalities they have. Always entertaining
  • 0 Votes
    33 Posts
    10k Views
    luzmery928L
    @Quercus: I thought I suggested that a few threads ago? That was the only thing that worked with Querk. I thought that was a joke about spraying it on ourselves but will try this weekend. Yeah our B is getting better since we stop playing with him when he nipps. Moving slowly but surely:D
  • Basenji Nipping Kids?

    Behavioral Issues
    39
    0 Votes
    39 Posts
    25k Views
    V
    I stopped a little hassle between my Basenjis the other night and was bitten. Yikes, those are sharp little teeth. I would hate to see a child bitten by any dog. Young children and dogs, not just Basenjis, need to be supervised; children should be taught respect for animals. I've seen many lovely pets 'go away' or be put down because one bit a child who was teasing or being cruel. Actually, in my opinion teasing is being cruel. I think children need a "time out" when they play too rough with animals, too.