Nipping in the face, among other places.

[AgilityPup]

Bella has always had a nipping issue. Before I brought her home, she nipped me many times at her home before here.

Now it's gotten worse. She has bitten both my sister and I, in the face, at least 2 times each. Today she hooked Amanda on her nose... Bella was on my sisters bed, and Amanda was loving on her, and Bella was being a goof, then all of a sudden, she nipped Amanda... She's got me on the jaw, and cheek.

We love her to bits, but this has got to stop. Any ideas on what I can do?

 

[lives4dogshows]

I don't have a background in dog aggression and unless I miracously obtain one in the next few minutes I won't be able to offer advice with the knowledge that it works or doesn't work but is there any body language leading up to the bites i.e. stiffiening of body, staring, cheeks coming forward and into an 'o' shape, turning head away etc. These can be signs that a dog has had enough, and if the humans fail to notice them they may be left with the only course of action that will get their point across; nipping.

There could be subtle cues that you and your family are missing out on that show that she doesn't want to be 'loved' anymore. When you say "loving on her' do you mean something like hugging her or kind of rough-housing, if either of those?

I hope you can get things worked out. I have a beagle who right now is being fairly aggressive towards another one of my dogs and I am at a loss about what to do about that as well. Aggression is not a fun thing to deal with and usually there is not a quick, easy fix unfortunately for us and the dogs.

 

[AgilityPup]

No, she's not doing any of those things, I've looked for that, because if I thought it was aggression, I would know what to do. But it's not... We usualy call it a "love nip".... However it does need to stop.

I'll post more later, right now I've got to go.

 

[noludoru]

Middie used to do that. I turned my face away and go completely still when he does it, and if he repeats it cuddle time or game time ends. Now I do that if he even has his mouth open near my face.

I don't know if it'll work with Bella.. but good luck.

 

[AgilityPup]

Thank you. I'll keep working on it. Right now we're squeeling, because someone on another forum said that might help. :\

 

[lizzybeth727]

Squealing sometimes works, but usually it just gets them more worked up. I don't think it's necessary. Ignoring and leaving, as suggested above, usually does the trick, but you have to be absolutely consistent, and make sure that everyone who comes into contact with the puppy also understands what to do when he starts to nip.

And I highly doubt it's "aggression," sounds like just puppy play.

 

[AgilityPup]

Oh, I don't think it's aggression at all! She's wagging her tail when she does it...

We also decided, since I can not squeel, we're just ignoring with a "no!"....

 

[lizzybeth727]

You're correcting with a "no" and then ignoring? Because you aren't ignoring if you're saying "no." Just like squealing, I don't think the "no" is necessary, just stand up and leave. This way your dog is learning that nipping immediately causes you to leave - not that it causes you to correct her, and then leave.

 

[krisnguyen]

i have no advise, but a question:
does she do this when she is sitting as well?
my dog will sit very nicely to be petted and when you lean over to pet her (necessary because of her size) she jumps up to lick your face. if the timing is wrong, it results in a cracked jaw or a grazed cheek.
does bella do that type of thing as well?

 

[noludoru]

I think instead of telling her no or squealing, you need to go with a method similar to mine.. making it so that nipping or mouthing faces isn't rewarding, so she's thinking "Aww! Mom stopped playing when I nipped her face!"

It also sounds like she's nipping HARD... you might want to work with her on being gentle.

 

[Xerxes]

Just reading your posts makes me think that this isn't aggressive behavior, but rather typical canine "hey I like you- let's play" nipping.

I agree with the poster that said just walk away immediately. No eye contact, no talking. Just end the "game" right there.

Also, I don't know if it happens in your house-but absolutely NO rough play. You cannot expect her to learn that teeth shouldn't touch skin while allowing it to happen in another situation.

Is Bella well behaved in all other areas? Will she get off the bed when asked to? Is she generally an obedient dog?

 

[AgilityPup]

^^ Since we've only had her a month, and she's still a puppy, for an 11 month old GSD, yes she's pretty good. However, due to her living arrangements before us, she gets very excited over little things. Such as being loved on.

I don't rough house with her, however, I DO tug with her... As part of getting ready for Agility...

I'll try the whole not saying anything, but I figured since when we're tuggging, and she gets my hand, I say "Ok, no more playing" and walk away, that I should say "No" and walk away when she nips....?

 

[lizzybeth727]

I'll try the whole not saying anything, but I figured since when we're tuggging, and she gets my hand, I say "Ok, no more playing" and walk away, that I should say "No" and walk away when she nips....?

No, same here, don't say anything, just walk away. If you happen to say something because you're frustrated or something, just make sure it's in a calm tone of voice and not directed toward your dog - for example, when a dog nips me I have a hard time not saying something, so it usually pops out: "That's it," "Too bad," "I'm done," "Not it," etc. None of these phrases actually mean anything to my dog, and I say them calmly so that she doesn't get scared that I'm mad at her.

 

[agnesyoung]

keep a diairy

Could you tell me what age your dog is? Its very useful to keep a diary of incidents. Write down where the dog was, what both the dog and the person were doing. Very often you can see a pattern to this behaviour. I noticed that in the incident you describe the dog was on the bed, look for things happening when the dog is on furniture as this is quite significant.

 

[Sher]

Lily play bites a little too much. How do I stop her?

I got Lily when she was 4 months old and she was always a spunky little dog (yorkie X maltese). Very exhuberant, happy dog. LOves, everyone ....all p;eople, kids, dogs, cats and is especially velcroed to me since I am the one that stays home all day with her/feed/walk her/play with her/take her out to pee/cuddle with her in a chair/etc, etc.....ANYWAY....she does tend to get a bit rough at times and runs around like a wild dog (zoomies) and then gets to play biting when she gets under blankets or throws we have on couches or chairs that i am in. she doesn't bit hard (never draws blood) , but still I don't think she should be grabbing our hands so much with her teeth....it still hurts a little bit , although we can tell she is trying to be gentle, but it is not always working...she is such a high spirited little dog, i don't want to lose any of that joy she has in her heart, but i sure don't want to have to worry about having to rename her "Jaws" , either.
Any ideas on what i can do? MOst of the time she is just sweet...
Thanks so much....

 

[lizzybeth727]

she is such a high spirited little dog, i don't want to lose any of that joy she has in her heart, but i sure don't want to have to worry about having to rename her "Jaws" , either.
Any ideas on what i can do? MOst of the time she is just sweet...

Training dogs correctly does not change their personality. You can definately start working on teaching her not to mouth you, just use the same techniques we just described for the OP - as soon as she bites, get up and walk away and ignore her for a few minutes.