Nipping.

[Roo-Roo]

Hi all my pup still nips me at 5 months. Playfully not aggressively. My question is. How do I get her to stop? She only does it when she gets on the sofa and I pull her off (she's not allowed to be on there). She only nips me, not my OH or toddler. Any suggestions welcome. Tried pulling my hand away and saying ouch etc. cheers

[sami]

I am afraid it is a common phase that they do grow out of eventually it is just painful while they do.

You can try distracting with something she chews or a toy, squealing as you say, turning your back on her, placing her in another room in a "time out".

Whichever seems to work for you but sometimes it is just time.

[kita]

Originally Posted by Roo-Roo

She only does it when she gets on the sofa and I pull her off (she's not allowed to be on there).

Try and just use your voice to get her off, rather than actually getting hold of her collar. Another alternative is clip a short lead to her collar and let her wear it permanently round the house (not when she is unattended though), that way you can simply get hold of the end of the lead rather than getting your hands within range of her mouth.

Or you could just tip the sofa up and tip her off.


Sue

[Stuart]

Clever tip Sue,... I was going to say antisipate her jumping up in the first place, and command `down` strongly,..it is often far more effective to catch them just as they make a move,...you have to be quick though

[Roo-Roo]

Thanks everyone. If I get there Before she won't go on. Her favourite thing is jumping at the moment and sitting on the sofa and picnic table outside. The only time age will nip now is when I pull her off lol. I'll give the tips a try.

[LindaM]

Originally Posted by Roo-Roo

Thanks everyone. If I get there Before she won't go on. Her favourite thing is jumping at the moment and sitting on the sofa and picnic table outside. The only time age will nip now is when I pull her off lol. I'll give the tips a try.

Cheek she is trying it on isn't she but she is still very young. I am a first time shepherd owner but I would stop this preferably without having to get hold of her collar which lets her 'get in'

I like all the ideas such as not letting her on, tipping her off lol, short house lead, time out etc will all help but are you happy with her jumping on your picnic table. I am of the thought that she is in a nice elevated position and if it was my Lukey I would like him on the ground but it is like with children we all allow and are happy with different things.

Whatever you do be consistent. I know I sound strict but I'm smiling - I bet she is all cuddley

[Breagha Bop]

hi all great advice above ... well worth trying ... and there are tons more you can try if these dont work

can i ask if you can touch her collar at any other time ... i dont mean to clip the lead on i mean a pull on the collar ??? a lot of dogs in general will mouth or nip under these circumstances and it is easily resolved by the touch and treat technique ... just a thought as she sounds a very well behaved dog otherwise.

your comment about her sitting at the table outside ..... my friends dog sits on the picnic table not to be dominant but because she hates sitting on the ground when cold or wet... my sheps would lie in a muddy puddle in a blizzard all day but maybe (if you dont already do so) give her somewhere to lie outside a converted pallet makes a good lying area.

chin up you will get there in the end ...

Mgt

[LindaM]

Originally Posted by Breagha Bop

hi all great advice above ... well worth trying ... and there are tons more you can try if these dont work

can i ask if you can touch her collar at any other time ... i dont mean to clip the lead on i mean a pull on the collar ??? a lot of dogs in general will mouth or nip under these circumstances and it is easily resolved by the touch and treat technique ... just a thought as she sounds a very well behaved dog otherwise.

your comment about her sitting at the table outside ..... my friends dog sits on the picnic table not to be dominant but because she hates sitting on the ground when cold or wet... my sheps would lie in a muddy puddle in a blizzard all day but maybe (if you dont already do so) give her somewhere to lie outside a converted pallet makes a good lying area.

chin up you will get there in the end ...

Mgt

Margaret, I like the idea of a converted wooden pallet. My Lukey likes to be cool and and will often chose the concrete which seems hard and cold. A wooden pallet might offer him an alternative too

[ROXY]

If you tugged at me when I was resting somewhere comfortable I would nip you too

We have gone through the stage of Roxy thinking she can sit where she wants. When I caught her where I dont want her to be, sofa for example, I encouraged her to get off and rewarded when she did, although this soon turned into a game knowing if she lays on the sofa and gets off she got a treat so I had to prevent her from getting on with a firm no and rewarding when she went to her own space.

She is allowed on the sofa and only comes on when invited. Can take time but dont give up, she will learn


Matt

[LindaM]

Originally Posted by ROXY

If you tugged at me when I was resting somewhere comfortable I would nip you too

We have gone through the stage of Roxy thinking she can sit where she wants. When I caught her where I dont want her to be, sofa for example, I encouraged her to get off and rewarded when she did, although this soon turned into a game knowing if she lays on the sofa and gets off she got a treat so I had to prevent her from getting on with a firm no and rewarding when she went to her own space.

She is allowed on the sofa and only comes on when invited. Can take time but dont give up, she will learn


Matt

they are too quick these dogs - going on the sofa so she would get a treat when she had to come off - clever girl