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

  • B nipping at children

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    33k Views
    lvossL
    Children are often scary for dogs, they don't move the same as adults, they don't act the same as adults, so dogs don't know how to behave around them. You may want to check out this webinar that is coming up next week through the Family Paws Parent Education, http://jennifershryock.enterthemeeting.com/m/PS15862X
  • 0 Votes
    32 Posts
    16k Views
    Buddys PalB
    Wow! this is one of many, many threads that I have responded to and I am very interested in the outcome of Poopydog and the nipping. As I was going through the Thread, I really had to bypass any of the responses of those who enjoy attacking one another. I sure hope this behavior did not thwart our member who really needed help. The majority are replies to one another trying to impart important knowledge or experience to someone who did not ask for it in the first place. Don't try to sound important. Everyone is, just give happy good-hearted advice and let us just not dig into the other who has a different opinion. Just dig, digs, and more digs. Really getting old….........................I know you won't miss me, but this is just too much.................................................................
  • HELP! Kipawa nipped twice in 3 days

    Behavioral Issues
    31
    0 Votes
    31 Posts
    16k Views
    P
    I haven't commented so far as my advice ould be similar to the others. Please let us know what Therese and Kevin suggest, it may help others as well. I hope you had a good weekend.
  • 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 ankles

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    C
    Hello, My lovely leather handbag and shoe chewing B nipped my leg when I came to get her from a friend who had looked after her for the day. She must have thought I wasn't paying enough attention to her after my absence. In fact, she also makes those odd noises (sort of groans, beginning of a yoddle I suppose) when I come back to my car after I have left her in it with all sorts of goddies to chew. Nipping is exceptional but I am careful as I wouldn't want her to do this to strangers or visitors. She does try to push them off her place on my sofa, funny to watch but a dog is a dog and I don't think it is a good idea to let them nip us, whatever the reason!
  • 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.