Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My PitSenji, Nakai, nips. Yesterday he got me on the very tip of my nose with those little tiny front teeth! While I wasn't injured, it was quite painful.

How can I stop this behavior?

And, how can I post a photo?

Thanx all!
Patricia

>>My PitSenji, Nakai, nips. Yesterday he got me on the very tip of my nose with those little tiny front teeth! While I wasn't injured, it was quite painful.
>>
>>How can I stop this behavior?
>>
>>And, how can I post a photo?
>>
>>Thanx all!
>>Patricia
>>

Nipping is bad all around. My first question is how old is the dog? Next is what sort of training have you worked with? When the dog nips, what do you do? Was he jumping up at you at the time? Was this during play?

When puppies nip, it is normal and usually a loud sharp sound will begin to deter the activity. Puppies at a young age learn bite inhibition.

Older dogs, during play, roughhousing, etc, they can forget level of house order and think you are an equal. Stopping play when they get excessively excited is one step. Please explain more about how these things start and we will see where we can go from there.

To post a photo, you can including the link in email with the boxes below. Also we have a photo gallery that you can upload photos to. This will give you a drop down box in your email.
Pet Hobbyist Photo Gallery

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Cindy & the bully boys
CGC Brutus the bullheaded bulldoggie
CGC Caesar the fabulous pittie

> My first question is how old is the dog?
The vet estimated that he was born in early 2005. I've had him since that fall. I had him neutered, chipped, and he's up-to-date on all vaccinations.

> Next is what sort of training have you worked with?
You're going to make me embarass myself, aren't you? That's okay, I need it. He was in formal training with a pinch collar, but I hated that so bad I didn't like to follow through with the training. I wish I had learned a different method.

> When the dog nips, what do you do?
It happened so fast, I think I verbally snapped at him, and used the sign language word for "bad," which makes him put his ears and head down. It's not a constant problem, but does happen occasionally.

> Was he jumping up at you at the time? Was this during play?
I think he was licking my nose at the time and was already a bit wound up from earlier play, and just got excited and nipped.

> Older dogs, during play, roughhousing, etc, they can forget
> level of house order and think you are an equal. Stopping
> play when they get excessively excited is one step. Please
> explain more about how these things start and we will see
> where we can go from there.
I think this is exactly what happened. Hopefully we can figure it out. Thanx!

> To post a photo...Pet Hobbyist Photo Gallery
Thanx!!! I'll try to post a photo of him.

Here's his photo. The vet determined him to be Pit Bull and Basenji.

>>> My first question is how old is the dog?
>>The vet estimated that he was born in early 2005. I've had him since that fall. I had him neutered, chipped, and he's up-to-date on all vaccinations.
Thats good as he was obviously a pup when you got him.
>>
>>> Next is what sort of training have you worked with?
>>You're going to make me embarass myself, aren't you? That's okay, I need it. He was in formal training with a pinch collar, but I hated that so bad I didn't like to follow through with the training. I wish I had learned a different method.
A lot of people are nervous in regards to the prong/pinch collar method. What kills me is often times people who are hesitant with those will use chokes which are actually more detrimenal to the dog! Prongs are a very safe and effective way to train *IF* you get formal training in proper use. A true prong trainer will explain that a slight flick of the wrist will be more effective than a yank and drag when properly used. It mimics the action of other dogs correcting inappropriate behavior with slight nips to the neck. This combined with praise and/or treats makes a very good training method as it offers both correction and reward. Even if you just get into basic ob class. Once the class is done, even 5 mins a day help working OB to remind the dog who is the boss.
>>> When the dog nips, what do you do?
>>It happened so fast, I think I verbally snapped at him, and used the sign language word for "bad," which makes him put his ears and head down. It's not a constant problem, but does happen occasionally.
>>
>>> Was he jumping up at you at the time? Was this during play?
>>I think he was licking my nose at the time and was already a bit wound up from earlier play, and just got excited and nipped.
>>
>>> Older dogs, during play, roughhousing, etc, they can forget
>>> level of house order and think you are an equal. Stopping
>>> play when they get excessively excited is one step. Please
>>> explain more about how these things start and we will see
>>> where we can go from there.
>>I think this is exactly what happened. Hopefully we can figure it out. Thanx!

Work on a time out place. A pillow on the floor or something of that nature. When he gets to wound, send him there for a down stay.
>>> To post a photo...Pet Hobbyist Photo Gallery
>>Thanx!!! I'll try to post a photo of him.

He is definately basenji, and more than likely some sort of terrier, most likely pit. If I were you I would simply say Basenji mix. Makes it easier all the way around.
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Cindy & the bully boys
CGC Brutus the bullheaded bulldoggie
CGC Caesar the fabulous pittie

> He is definately basenji, and more than likely some sort of
> terrier, most likely pit. If I were you I would simply say
> Basenji mix. Makes it easier all the way around.
Due to the fact that many places are banning Pits, and that many people have bad images of Pits, I generally say that he's a Terrier mix, or Basenji mix, but that doesn't fool a lot of people. Most people just ask, "What's your Pit Bull mixed with?" or say "Wow! That's the weirdest looking Pit Bull I've ever seen!"

>>> He is definately basenji, and more than likely some sort of
>>> terrier, most likely pit. If I were you I would simply say
>>> Basenji mix. Makes it easier all the way around.
>>Due to the fact that many places are banning Pits, and that many people have bad images of Pits, I generally say that he's a Terrier mix, or Basenji mix, but that doesn't fool a lot of people. Most people just ask, "What's your Pit Bull mixed with?" or say "Wow! That's the weirdest looking Pit Bull I've ever seen!"
>>

With the BSL and insurance issues, listing him as a basenji mix is perfectly acceptable. I have the same issues with my american bulldog that people SWEAR is a pit bull.

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Cindy & the bully boys
CGC Brutus the bullheaded bulldoggie
CGC Caesar the fabulous pittie