Nipping at Owners

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novaman396

New member
Before we go to work we put our Newf Harley in the kitchen to contain him for the ttime we will be gone. Most times we just say Harley Kitchen and he trots off to the kitche (which is Huge By The Way) But twice lately he has just laid down and once with me when I grabbed him by the collar to lead him to the kitch he turned around and nipped at me. Today same thing only with my wife whole different story. I have to STOP THIS IMMEDIATELY.......Any Help Greatly appreciated

Novaman
 
Ginny

Ginny

New member
Firstly, how old is Harley and how long have you had him? What was your response when he nipped at you? Has he nipped at any other times during play, walks etc.? How, generally, would you describe his behavior?
 
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novaman396

New member
Harley is 8 mothes old.....A slight tap on the nose and a good scolding. We have had him since age of 6 Monthes. No never nipped other than these 2 times he is always pretty mouthy like any other Newf, but I can tell a difference. He behavior is good otherwise likes to tear up paper etc. again normal things but Loves my Wife and I and We feel and show the same
 
Ivoryudx

Ivoryudx

New member
Do you regularly take him by the collar and lead him somewhere? This needs to be done on a regular basis for him to get used to it and understand what you are wanting. Not just when he's being obnoxious. Many people always use a leash and never touch their dogs collar, and this can lead to dogs who are not comfortable with being controled so closely to their head.

Generally when a dog tries to play the 'rug' game, I ask them to sit for a treat, then down for a treat. This changes the whole thought process that the dog was trying to avoid doing. Once I get them doing something they know, and are being happy about it with a cookie then its back to asking them to do something they thought they didn't want to do in the first place. Showing them that it really wasn't important to act like that, and I still get what I wanted in the first place.

I also always reward with a cookie for going into the kennel when they are young. This gets them anticipating what I want and years later they still run into the kennel when I tell them to go downstairs, expecting to get a cookie.

If he continues to be obnoxious, until you can work with him more by handling his collar, let him drag a leash around the house so you can get a hold of him when needed, and not have to reach to his face. Just keep in mind that Newfs learn how to use their weight very young, and you need to be smarter about it by not allowing it to get out of hand.
 
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wrknnwf

Active member
Well he's at that crappy age where is is testing you. Do you put him in the kitchen ONLY when you are leaving? If so, he is associating being confined with you being gone and thus is resistant.

In addition to what Susan said, put him in the kitchen for several short periods while you are home too. Give him something to make it worthwhile - a stuffed Kong or something to occupy his time while he's in there. Don't give in to his pestering to get out. Let him out when he is being quiet.

What you want to do is to change the way he views going in the kitchen from something negative (you leaving) to something positive (food, treats).
 
lassm

lassm

New member
Hello! I can relate because my Tug is 9 months and has "nipped" on occasion...most definitely temper tantrums. He has been in obedience training since 4 months and that helps tremendously. Grabbing Tug's collar has always been a bad idea - he hates that and escalates in his tantrum. His leash offers much more control (for me). We go for zero tolerance with the nips and usually have to wait him out, sometimes making him do puppy push-up (sit and then down, to sit again) or a sit/wait, until he is ready to comply and in a different mind-set. If he is really out of control, it's just a down/stay. He is a real treat nut, so we focus on giving him high end reinforcement treats for making good choices. (NO treats after tantrum). My trainer said that he is an adolescent and is testing. He hasn't had an incident for about 3 weeks and was doing most of this "testing" at the 7 month mark. Good luck!!!!
 
Nasus

Nasus

New member
Folks on this board may view me as a stick in the mud but i am a firm believer that my newf is part of my family and therefor will act in a way that is acceptable to the family.
Nipping is NOT acceptable ever.. not in play and certainly not in a stubborn moment. Tearing of paper is not acceptable either be it the newspaper, toilet paper or any other form of shredding. Nobody said having a giant breed is a walk in the park, it's not easy when a dog can outweigh u.
Just as with children one must socialize and teach.. it's a long process and it never ends. If your child goes to nursery school and bites (or nips) other children you can be sure your child will not last long in the school.
So what to do ? Good advice has been given. Training takes work, it is constant, and for good reason. U want your dog to know what is acceptable to the pack and what is not. U want good manners to be habit.. and yes dogs are creatures of habit. Everything you do should imprint on your dog... example if he views your leaving as a time to lie flat.. well u must change that. We put a few spoon-fulls of peanut butter into a Kong and freeze it.. Kelvinn could care less if we leave.. he's got his Kong now... it's really all he cares about at that moment.. yummy!
We have him sit before his collar goes on for walks.. we have him sit when he comes home so we can remove the collar, this has become habit so we never need to say a command. We do not allow our dog where we eat, the table is set and Kelvinn knows time to leave the room.. again.. Habit. We always eat first, he gets fed after we are done.. habit. We do not allow Kelvinn to be the first at the door when greeting ppl.. we didn't think this was a problem until the pizza delivery guy dropped our pizza and almost has a stroke when Kelvinn was first at the door, now he must wait down the hall in a sit for everyone coming to the door.. he is not allowed to greet until the person greets him.. children are an automatic down.. again habit.
All this did not take overnight.. we worked our butts off reinforcing good manners and it has paid off. Working for good habits pays dividends in your life and your dog is happy when he knows the rules, the stress of having a giant breed is at 0 level in our house.. Kelvinn got Habit :D
 
ina/puusty

ina/puusty

New member
Here..when hitting the terrible teens..HB did nip a few times, balked..etc. I am one who found my comfort-zone..with alpha rolling, and grabbing her muzzle..in a vise grip. She was trained that I would NOT fear her..and she WOULD..'sweeten-up'..or get a curved spine and flattened hip..until she..figured it out. I think all the other good informations given by the others..make great sense..I am just perhaps not as open to the time needed, therefore went with swifter choices. ina n HB
 
AngusMcDubhsMom

AngusMcDubhsMom

New member
ina/puusty said:
Here..when hitting the terrible teens..HB did nip a few times, balked..etc. I am one who found my comfort-zone..with alpha rolling, and grabbing her muzzle..in a vise grip. She was trained that I would NOT fear her..and she WOULD..'sweeten-up'..or get a curved spine and flattened hip..until she..figured it out. I think all the other good informations given by the others..make great sense..I am just perhaps not as open to the time needed, therefore went with swifter choices. ina n HB
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That's so funny, Ina, because that's exactly how I handled it with Angus too. Just determined that he was never going to terrorize me with his tantrums. Couldn't believe I put that big boy on the ground, but he got the point... and he became the sweetest Newf in the world.
 
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