Skip to content

Puppy nipping?

Basenji Training
  • Any ideas on teaching a 6wk old puppy not to nip and bite you when they are playing? The puppy out of my litter Im keeping is HORRIBLE when it comes to that.

  • Is the puppy overexcited when she is doing it or more calm?

  • She usually does it when excited and when shes just chill in my lap. She'll get over-stimulated at random and go for anything on me she can reach

  • ALL PLAY STOPS OR PETTING. Put her back with the litter or with the adults. They will teach her…... Advantage of having littermates and adult dogs in the house.

  • @tanza:

    ALL PLAY STOPS OR PETTING. Put her back with the litter or with the adults. They will teach her…... Advantage of having littermates and adult dogs in the house.

    And this is exactly why puppies need to be at least 10 weeks before they go to their new homes. They learn so much from their mom and the litter mates at this time - bite inhibition is one of these things.

  • I agree! I brought Spencer home at eight weeks, and I will wait another 2-4 weeks next time. Spencer was a play-nipper, because he simply didn't understand that his teeth were hurtful. I started shrieking in pain (not always pretending!) and withdrawing whenever he would nip, and he would stop and stare at me in total puzzlement. Soon, all I had to do was scream "Owww!", shake my hand like it hurt and stop playing. Luckily, he caught on quickly. :)

  • ROFLMAO, bitey might be the call name. I of course have Cara who had a gazillion play mates and adult B's and she still is the single most mouthy creature I have ever owned. As I have posted, she often went to sleep with her mouth wrapped around my arm or hand rubbing me with her tongue. And I didn't get her til 12 1/2 wks of age.

    That said, yeah, most of the time the pack puts an end to the mouthiness and immediate "NO TEETH" and ignore helps.

  • Some are more mouthy then others…. and ones that are over the top with biting, nipping, etc usually are dominate.... It is important to watch the interaction with the all the pups in the litter as that will really tell you the temperament types of the pups.

  • LOL someone posted this yesterday and I have to share. Your pup?
    attachment_p_153898_0_pickup.jpg

Suggested Topics

  • Puppy biting

    Basenji Training
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    11k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @drew82 I've been doing rescue and breeding (not Basenjis, and not for 20 yrs now)... and I have to say that among responsible trainers, rescues, breeders and professional veterinary behaviorists, you won't find any who will say under 8 weeks is okay for any breed... and for many, 10 to 12 weeks is recommended. It is in fact illegal to take puppies under 8 weeks from some states and it should be in all of them. Call a few dozen rescues and ask them how many animals they deal with that have issues started from being placed too young. It is good you are working on things, just hopefully the physical responses won't continue. No breed needs to be swatted or even mildly hurt for training. Basenjis even less so than many. It hurts your relationship with the puppy, and you are punishing a baby for being a baby... there is no "rebellious thing"... just normal behavior you have to patiently train away from.
  • Puppy Kindergarden

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    MacPackM
    Way back when, Topper was the 'demo dog' for his puppy and adult classes, he would always do the new things, but get annoyed if the instructor kept asking him to do it again. "Hey Lady, I know what I'm doing, no need to repeat it!" Nicky became the demo dog for agility as she is fearless and loves heights. She did like to make the teeter-totter slam to the floor, and jump off grinning. Basenjis ARE smart and seem to excel at all sorts of classes as long as it's fun for them. Have fun with Kismet!
  • Puppy Nosework

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    lvossL
    I will try to be good and update each week so if you want to follow along you can. The things that you need is at least 5 boxes, one that should be labeled "Food" and is the only box that gets food in it, so the others aren't cotaminated with the food scent, treats that your dog really loves, and some different areas to work in. The first week the boxes are all in a line. Before I set L'Ox down to work, show him that I am putting the treats in the treat box then I do a "shell game" with the box, tapping it against the other boxes in the line and usually saying things like, "Where's your treat? Is it in this box? Oh, look at this box it looks so good." etc, and at some point switching the food box with one of the other boxes so that he doesn't just cue into the last box I was at and has to really work to find the treats. We do 3 searches in a training session and our goal for the week is to work in 5 locations. Mine will probably be the kitchen, the living room, the backyard, the school down the street, and at a friend's house. It makes things much easier if you have someone to help you but you can work by yourself using a tether or baby gate.
  • Nipping…why?

    Basenji Training
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    8k Views
    NemoN
    @Nilo: Thank you for the link. No wonder he was so confident and proud of getting up onto the couch, he had done for his entire previous life! And honestly, I did not know what you mentioned. One question: what if I teach him to go to his own little couch? Would he respect ours? I'm not sure if "respect" is the appropriate word. It's more if he is allowed or not allowed, and you have to be very consistent. If you teach the dog that it can not be on the furniture, but he jumps up and someone lets him on it one time or two, then you may have to start over again. He will test you to see what his limits are. And if you aren't in the room, all bets are off, lol.
  • Training a puppy

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    Robin_n_JackR
    HA! We did the up& back method at my petsmart class. Jack is so flexible, he would actually follow the treat back with his head, until his head was almost lying on his back. I think what I finally had to do was push his butt down with one hand, while holding the treat in front of his face with the other. He got really good at it…now, he sits when I snap my fingers, when I say sit, or, my favorite, when I salute him. Good luck!
  • Puppy crate question

    Basenji Training
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    10k Views
    QuercusQ
    Sounds like progress! I am sure he will adust perfectly!