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Hard nips & jumping puppy..advise?

I've just about had it with my 11wk auzzie/eng cocker puppy!She jumps up with her 2 front paws on the sofa & nips anything & any1 in sight.It started with i tried teaching the "off" command everytime she jumped up & she started nipping really hard its drawn blood several times. So everytime we sit on the sofa she jumps & i give the "off" command & move her off & she nips! At 1st i tried using a spray bottle but she enjoyed that a lil 2 much so I switched to giving out a loud high pitched 'yelp' when she nips but this seems to only get her even more excited & nippy. Its been about 3wks since it started & its only gotten worse & im worried about my children getting hurt. Any advise/help?


Asked by Member 1037092 on Jun 12th 2011 Tagged nipping, jumping, puppy in Behavior & Training
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Sonny

This is normal puppy behavior. If you haven't had a pup before, or just not a difficult one, get to a training class ASAP. This is manageable if you know what to do.

Til then:
Put a leash or rope on the pups collar & leave it there. It will allow you to move the pup without risking a nip, a well timed step on it prevents a jump.
Google NILIF training method - use it.
Put her bowl away & use food as a trade for every behavior you want. (I had to use food just to get a collar on Sonny).
She must sit for everything you do for her (feeding, going outside, etc.)
Leash walks will tire her out physically, training will tire her mentally. A tired pup is happy & well behaved.
Click on Sonny's picture to go to his page, scroll to diary entries, click, click on 'put entries in order'. Read from day 1. Day 3 has lesson on teaching not to bite.

Won't cooperate? Use the food! ;)
For more help, post in Forums, under Behavior and training. Membership is free, as a member you can pawmail me.


Sonny answered on 6/12/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Libby

Puppies do this, especially working breeds. If this is your first puppy, I would consider obedience classes, because they're a great opportunity for you to get support and her to socialize with other pups. Puppies are like kids; they need limits, activity, and structure. The sooner she knows what you want, the sooner she'll start doing it. Make sure to leash walk her once or twice a day so she can release some of that energy, let her run in the yard, or wrestle with her gently. Give her stuff to do in the house--tug, kongs, Nylabones, squeakies. Maybe put a bed for her next to the couch and give lots of positive reinforcement when she uses it instead of trying to join you on the couch. Praise/reward her when she's using these things and when she's interacting appropriately with you and your children. Use treats and lots of praise when she does what you want, and prompt her with "NO!," then turn your back and completely ignore her when she doesn't behave. Best of luck!


Libby answered on 6/12/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Howard

Cesar Millan is my favorite dog trainer. He does amazing work and great training. Here's his website -

www.cesarsway.com

Does she have chew toys to chew on? How about teething toys? If not, go to the pet store and buy some chew toys and teething toys for her. Teach her to bite on the toys and chew on the toys and NOT on people or anything else. How about a Kong toy? Stuff the Kong with food, freeze and give it to her. Teach her to chew on the Kong and nothing else.

Another thing you can do is, when she nips, stand up and turn your back and walk away. Don't say anything to her, don't make eye contact or anything. When she starts to calm down, sit back down. Repeat this over and over until she gets the point that if she nips, she doesn't get petted or a reward or anything. Reward her for good behavior and ONLY good behavior. Let this puppy know that you ARE the pack leader and she isn't. Let her know that you ARE in control and that she isn't.


Howard answered on 6/13/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Alice

mine was having some similar problems. I took her to obedience class and they gave me some good tips. First, with the jumping, You have to get the jumping fixed in all areas for her to stop. Assuming she jumps on you when you walk up as well. So when she jumps on me for greeting I immediately turn around and give her no attention, then i turn back around, if she does it again i turn my back on her again, eventually she realized she wants the attention and jumping is not getting it for her. Dogs sometimes will even do bad things just to get the attention even though its negative attention. When she jumps on the couch don't make any eye contact with her, act like she is not there, once she realizes she is not getting anything out of it she should get down and try another approach. if she doesn't get down still without giving her attention push her down. Same with biting, they dont WANT to make you unhappy. If she bites you make a gasp or the yelp and sharply turn around and ignore her.


Alice answered on 6/15/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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