Nipping, pulling on clothes etc.

[DukeWood]

Ok......Duke used to do this just in the back yard, but now he still does it in the backyard and now in the house !

He is nipping at my DS's ankle's, shirt etc. and pulling to play. He's not bitting or being mean and I really think he's just trying to play, but what do I do. I've tried to have DS ignore it, but that doesn't work. I've done the quick No Duke and a tiny tug on his collar, but it is still happening.

He was my calm puppy......but he's getting a bit ramy !

As for the backyard - that's a HUGE problem and does it to me, my DH and DS. I can't have DS and Duke outside because Duke just chases and tugs and pulls his mittens off and nips at his ankles etc. I can't take the garbage out to the road and he's doing it to me too. He's also barking at us while he's doing it.

PLEASE HELP !!!!!!

 

[Goodgirl]

Felix does this sometimes too- but luckily he has a sister to take it out on too
I think the best thing to do is to keep ignoring it- leave the room and shut the door until he is quiet. This works for Felix. It gives him time to calm down. If he does it again after opening the door- leave him again. It may take a while but he'll eventually get the picture- "when I bite their clothes, they leave me!"
Also, make sure that no one uses their body to play with him, for instance waving hands around to get him to play, or tapping feet on the floor..always use a toy instead so he doesn't think people parts are play things.
Sounds like you will just have to keep the son and pup separated outside until the puppy grows up a bit, or keep him on a leash- if he starts with you, tether him and walk away.
Does he have any doggy friends to play with, do you have a dog park where he can get his kicks that way? Felix also goes to the dog park several times a week- then he'll come home tired

 

[gmacleod]

Don't just ignore the behaviour, but ignore the dog You're quite right that he's playing or trying to get you to play - but it doesn't change the fact that it's an undesirable behaviour. To extinguish it, it must not only NOT have the desired effect of getting your attention or anything that he can interpret as a game - but it must earn him the exact opposite.

It's fine to let him know it's uncool with a "uh uh" and turning your back on him. But if that doesn't work, then you should be adopting ways of making it work. That is, removing yourself from his presence or removing him from yours (whichever is easiest - since the effect is the same).

At the same time, the fact that he's pestering for games in this way would tend to suggest that he's in need of an outlet for some energy and entertainment there I'd suggest increasing his exercise and the amount of time you spend on training. If he's getting regular and frequent physical and mental workouts of your choosing, he's far less likely to be coming up with inventive ways like this of trying to prompt it.

 

[DukeWood]

Thanks for the replies

We were just in the backyard shoveling snow :( (yuk) and it was just me as DS is in school and he was awful. Constantly leaping at my gloves and nipping, even my legs, my ankles etc. And then barking at me over and over. I am home with him all the time and feel like he gets a ton of attention and exercise so I guess I'm just confused.

I am a bit frustrated. Just because we are so lucky to have a fenced in backyard in town and I want us all to be out there, but if my DS is the dog can't etc. He's even worse with DS than me.

It's just goofey we never had anything like this at all until about 4-6 weeks ago ??

I'll keep working on it.

We do have a new addition (puppy) coming in 2 weeks so we will see what happens then.

Any other suggestions - I'll take them. I just want to be able to be outside with my dogs and have it enjoyable and nobody getting chased and nipped at !!!

 

[ELubas]

i have the same issue and i'm taking notes here, and mine gets to play with another dog 8 hours a day, but he still does this, however he is biting me hard, still in a playful way, but i have to grab his collar and pull him away so that he will not hurt me, is this giving him attention? i grab the colar and ignore him while i'm holding it, is difficult but if i just ignore it he keeps jumping and biting me hard, he does not bite like this at all unless when we have these episodes, am i doing something wrong?

There is a difference between ignoring and removing yourself from the dog. If he is that persistent he needs to be away from you so he learns this behavior results in the end of all good things, including your company for a bit. I put eyehooks around my house and simply hooked them up and walked away when I needed to. Also,running around with another dog all day or out in the yard is great but does not teach him anything about limits. I think your pup (and you) might benefit from some on leash brisk walks where you practice heeling, sits, stays, etc. Thier minds need exercise too Good luck

 

[Murp.mm]

When my poodle was a younger he was very much like you describe. The more excited he got the more he acted out. He was only small but nevertheless he was a holy terror on times. I walked him every day and let him off lead in a secure place but he still acted out. When we got Ali things changed dramatically. She played with him all day and he was too tired for anything but sleep and for the most part so was she. I suspect when you get your new addition this will benefit you for sure. Good Luck.