I've been having a really big problem with my 9 month old pit bull puppy nipping. He doesn't bite or anything, he just nips when he wants to play. It's gotten to the point where I can't even play with him for very long because he starts nipping. I walk him at a quick pace for an hour a day plus the 15 minutes or so of training later in the evening. He attends obedience class and he obeys me pretty well in every other way...I just can't get him to stop nipping. I never allowed him to nip at me when he was younger either...everything I do doesn't work. Please help because I'm getting very frustrated with it.
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Pit Bull Puppy Nipping
mander9213
Nov 13, 2003 02:43 PM
Replies (1)
KDiamondDavis
Nov 13, 2003 06:40 PM
>>I've been having a really big problem with my 9 month old pit bull puppy nipping. He doesn't bite or anything, he just nips when he wants to play. It's gotten to the point where I can't even play with him for very long because he starts nipping. I walk him at a quick pace for an hour a day plus the 15 minutes or so of training later in the evening. He attends obedience class and he obeys me pretty well in every other way...I just can't get him to stop nipping. I never allowed him to nip at me when he was younger either...everything I do doesn't work. Please help because I'm getting very frustrated with it.
It sounds like you're working hard to do the right things, and adolescence is a problem with the dog right now. I would increase the training time. Mix it in with your walk. Walk a little, stop and practice, walk a little.
You may need something different from your obedience class with him, though realistically, it all just really does take time.
I have instructions on "Puppy Biting" at www.veterinarypartner.com (click on the Canine Behavior Series) that can help. I like to teach the dog specifically about putting the teeth on me, using a positive command. It takes longer than the correction methods, but it works without creating any new behavior problems in the process. The same method as for puppies works with adolescents--had to do it myself with the mouthiest dog I've ever had, just a couple of years ago. Now she's perfect!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com
