Nipping Puppy

[zsimms]

Just asking for suggestions as to stop an eight week old puppy from nipping?

At the moment we say no firmly and give pup a toy to chew.

Any other ideas most welcome.

Thanks.

Z

[devonrexcatz]

Hi Z

I sympathise...our Justin has been biting since we bought him home at nearly 7 weeks old. Of course I realise now, from reading several forums, that he was taken from his litter way too young; as a consequence he still suffers from separation anxiety, is a pain to house train and bites consistently because of either excitement or as a form of play (that is totally on his terms). He attacks all of our feet; he has my 2 yr old grandson in tears because he can reach his face and nip at him. I have puncture marks in my hands and ankles... He has more toys than my grandson but he prefers our feet to tear at.

The good news is that time and training are true blessings...our boy is now 17 weeks old and his behaviours that were turning this house upside-down, are now dwindling in frequency. I can honestly say the constant "NO"s and putting him on a lead just out of our reach when he is naughty are slowly paying off. It is sinking in as to what's right and wrong. The biting has not ceased totally but he's getting better. He has also had his last vaccination so he gets 2 walks a day and the exercise has done his psyche the world of good.

Justin is the second dachshund I have owned...my last boy Brandon died last year at age 14. It is often said that dachshunds are hard to train because of their stubbornness and I would have agreed because of my experience with Brandon who did not seem to want to listen. But after spending the last 3 months with Justin whom I would have considered a complete disaster, I can honestly say that persistent training and setting boundaries mixed with a ton of love, play and cuddles can create a dog you can be a joy to own. I hope this helps. Good luck

devonrexcatz

[zsimms]

Hi Z

I sympathise...our Justin has been biting since we bought him home at nearly 7 weeks old. Of course I realise now, from reading several forums, that he was taken from his litter way too young; as a consequence he still suffers from separation anxiety, is a pain to house train and bites consistently because of either excitement or as a form of play (that is totally on his terms). He attacks all of our feet; he has my 2 yr old grandson in tears because he can reach his face and nip at him. I have puncture marks in my hands and ankles... He has more toys than my grandson but he prefers our feet to tear at.

The good news is that time and training are true blessings...our boy is now 17 weeks old and his behaviours that were turning this house upside-down, are now dwindling in frequency. I can honestly say the constant "NO"s and putting him on a lead just out of our reach when he is naughty are slowly paying off. It is sinking in as to what's right and wrong. The biting has not ceased totally but he's getting better. He has also had his last vaccination so he gets 2 walks a day and the exercise has done his psyche the world of good.

Justin is the second dachshund I have owned...my last boy Brandon died last year at age 14. It is often said that dachshunds are hard to train because of their stubbornness and I would have agreed because of my experience with Brandon who did not seem to want to listen. But after spending the last 3 months with Justin whom I would have considered a complete disaster, I can honestly say that persistent training and setting boundaries mixed with a ton of love, play and cuddles can create a dog you can be a joy to own. I hope this helps. Good luck

devonrexcatz

Thanks for that info and encouragement. I am finding a lot of ideas from various resources and I think it's a matter of deciding on the one we will use and then just consistently persevering. I have raised two nipping puppies before successfully (meaning they did not continue the behavior into adulthood), but I seem to feel doubtful again when I'm in the moment of it. Don't know if that makes any sense?

Anyway, I'm asking for suggestions here so I can get feedback on what worked for other people. So thanks again.

Z

[Tassie]

I'd keep doing what you're doing - - except that I'd be inclined to use something like "uh-uh" instead of 'No". the "Uh-uh" becomes an interrupt to the behaviour you don't like, and signals that you're going to redirect the pup to something that's allowed.

It sounds like splitting hairs, and in a way, I guess it is - it's just that the interrupt can ben very useful for all sorts of things later on. No - doesn't really give any information to the pup - although the way you're doing it, you are following up with that information but giving him an allowed chew.

I usually play with the approved toy for a second, just to make sure the pup is engaged with that.

And yes - it will work - be consistent. I would occasionally have to physically pick my pup up and place him somewhere where I could re-direct him, if I'd been a bit slow and his nipping had got a bit wound up. He's just over 6 months now - still occasionally thinks a trouser leg might be good - but responds immediately to the "Uh-uh" and takes himself off to something else. Lovely soft mouth now.

[Erny]

Thought I was going balmy 'cause I was certain I'd responded to this.

Thread is also going in the 'training' forum. See HERE.

[zsimms]

Yes erny, I started the thread in both because I know different people with different experiences are looking through different topics. It's OK isn't it?

[Erny]

It doesn't worry me, although it can be productive of much double up. People will read one thread and think something hasn't been suggested, so they post on it not realising it's already been covered elsewhere. I think it is against forum rules though. You'd need to check.

[Danois]

Just asking for suggestions as to stop an eight week old puppy from nipping?

You're game having 2 young puppies at the same time