Puppy nipping

I feel your pain! Maybe it is a retriever thing or something, but our dog nipped CONSTANTLY (he's a year old now) until he was about 6 months. He will still nip now and then if he's being ornery or wants attention.

We have done two things that have helped greatly.

1. when he starts nipping we immediatly turn around stand straight with a wide stance and cross our arms over our chest. We don't make eye contact or acknowledge his presence until he is calm and sitting.

2. We do a "time out" - basically, if he starts nipping (like when we're watching tv) we quietly get up, leave the room and shut the door.

Retrievers want MORE THAN ANYTHING to be with you at all times, so he's learned pretty fast that if he nips, we'll go away.

Also, I think training has been great for us. Mostly because when he gets overly excited/stimulated, we can tell him to sit and re-focus his energy. Training would also be a great way for your kids and your dog to bond as well! We went to Bark Tutor in Broad Ripple but others swear by Doggone COnnection and Canines In Action.

I have also taught him to put a toy in his mouth when someone walks in the door. When he gets really excited he wants to sort of lead you around by the forearm (i think it is to show me all the places he's been that day :)) and by having a toy in his mouth, that short circuits that need.

Good luck!

Our boys also nip. Oscar is just over a year old, and he will still nip occasionally if he wants attention.

I know this sounds mean, and honestly if someone else said this I would probably say, THATS AWFUL!..but..its the only thing that works for us. When he starts doing that (the puppy too) we put him in room by himself and close the door. (I always wait right outside, ha) This not only calms him down, but helps him see that if he doesn't calm down, we aren't going to interact with him.

Our vet suggested we slam our hand on the table...uh yea, I wouldn't suggest trying that...it only made Oscar that much more crazy.

I also redirect him with a rawhide or bone...which probably isnt the right thing to do either, but he does stop nipping. :-)

That's NOT awful! That's what I've had tons of people recommend... it's a "time out" so to speak :) We do it too.

We tried shaking a coke can full of change, but that got him fired up as well - he thought it was a super cool new toy :)

Thanks ! I try turning my back and ignoring her but sometimes she just continues to jump, and my girls (ages 5 and 7) are afraid to turn their back because they think she will nip their feet.

We crate train so should I give her a time out in the crate when she nips? I have no place to put her otherwise.

Thanks again!

Kristin

That's what I would do. Our trainer at Bark Tutor suggested putting Nigel in a crate when he nipped and b/c we don't crate him anymore, we would put him in another room with the door closed (like Em) or up in the kitchen with a baby gate.

I think the key is to be calm, don't speak don't make eye contact but as soon as you see the trigger of her starting to nip, put Laci in her crate. Timing is EVERYTHING. As Brad at Bark Tutor said, once the dog is doing the undesirable behavior, your'e just doing damage control, not re-training the behavior.

Also, do you think she is teething? we used to soak rope bones and this thing called a chilly bone in chicken stock and freeze it and he'd chew on that...

Dolly nips and jumps constantly until she's worn out. All of the tips above seem to work for the time being, but I think it's just something they have to grow out of, too. We have to drain her of her energy with lots of walks, agility class and free time. I'm starting to notice that the things that challenge her mentally tire her quicker than the things that challenger her physically. Is this your first lab? If so, be prepared for a very challenging and bonding relationship. She will be your best friend when she calms down. She's a really pretty girl...

Yes she is teething I am sure. She still has her baby teeth as far as I know. Any idea when labs start to get their adult teeth?

This isn't just my first lab but my first dog ever. My husband is the dog person and grew up with dogs. I grew up with cats but we can't have them now because my oldest daughter is allergic to them. I love animals and have always wanted to have a dog, but I am so clueless. I am trying to be patient as I realize these are puppy phases. She is the sweetest thing ever and is a great dog already. Just can't stand the nipping, mostly because it scares my girls, but also because I am not used to it. Thanks to everyone on here for your advice. I will have to try some of these things and let you know how it goes!
Kristin : )

We tried to "turning our backs as well"...Oscar seemed to think that was an open invitation to try and knock us to the ground. ha...its like a zoo at my house, seriously! :-)

You could also try teaching the dog to sit with yummy treats, and that usually gets Oscar calmed down enough to get him out of crazy mode. By teaching him to sit first, you are rewarding the sitting, not the bad behavior :)

What I did to make dakota stop nipping is, when ever she nipped me, I'd give her a little flick on her nose, then she stopped after a month, now her and I are BDF(best Dog Friends)!

I got Heidi her own puppy ,Gretchen and they nip each other :)