FabSwingers.com forum: Question for dog people

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

We've not long had our 5 month old pup, she's a lab so already on the large side and very playful, and can get a bit nippy. This is just a hypothetical question really, but when I take her out she gets a fair bit of attention, I think this could be down to her unusual colouring, but people will often pet her and cuddle her etc without asking me first. Now I'm a bit concerned she could nip someone pretty hard, but surely if they have petted her without asking me first and they get nipped its their own fault? She isn't a danger and does not need a muzzle.

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By *emmefataleWoman
over a year ago

dirtybigbadsgirlville

Nope, if your dog is prone to nipping as a dog owner i would muzzle the dog.

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

I stop people when I take the pup out. He's cute and friendly but he's still a pup and can't always control himself. If people start going towards him I warn them he might nip and to introduce themselves slowly.

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By *hris148Man
over a year ago

It is probably something that it will grow out of, but you should make sure you tell it off when it nips you.

I would muzzle it if off the lead because a playful nip to a child could be nasty and the consequences could be more than needing to apologise. Having said that, I think anyone who approaches my dogs without asking permission is really rude and stupid.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

you are totally responsible for you dogs behaviour. If he nips - muzzle it! if you dont and he gets carried away and bites you will be ordered to have him put down ....... no matter how cute he is (or hyperthetical)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The dog needs correcting when it nips

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We have a lab and he nipped when he was a puppy, never muzzled him, just said to people, but if they don't ask first then there own fault if you ask me , commen courtesy to ask the dog owner first if it's ok to pet , stroak the dog. Then comes the problem with young children so in that instance I would then explain to the parents. It will grow out of it. Good luck. X

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I should've said sorry, as we haven't had her long I don't let her off the lead yet, this is why she's not muzzled. People will go out of their way to approach us, I'd never dream of letting her anywhere near a child while she's on the lead

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Tell folk he is in training and you need them not to fuss him. If he has nipped then muzzle when out. You can train it out of them if not confident take to dog obedience classes.

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By *hris148Man
over a year ago

"I should've said sorry, as we haven't had her long I don't let her off the lead yet, this is why she's not muzzled. People will go out of their way to approach us, I'd never dream of letting her anywhere near a child while she's on the lead "

I which case, I would go without the muzzle but pull her close to you and talk to anyone that wants to stroke her before they are allowed.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I which case, I would go without the muzzle but pull her close to you and talk to anyone that wants to stroke her before they are allowed.

I do pull her close, but for example, a few days ago a young guy was walking towards us and stopped to cuddle her and then walked away. I wasn't sure what to say really as I've never owned a dog and I've no idea on the etiquette to be honest

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Nipping is there way of playing but some will start to get out of control. It's important to stop it early on, by been firm and telling it off. It takes patience. Yes people shouldn't approach your dog and a dog may bite, it may not be the dogs fault but it's the dog that will get put down because of it. It's not worth that. So keep it on a short lead and away from people, my dog is a rescue dog and is terrified of others, so I immediately warn people not to pet.

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By *hris148Man
over a year ago

I which case, I would go without the muzzle but pull her close to you and talk to anyone that wants to stroke her before they are allowed.

Just warn them before they get there. I used to call out that my collie had a snake tongue when I could see someone going into give her attention. She would show her gratitude for strokes by licking noses and lips without warning!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Do you chastise her for nipping?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Oh yeah and NEVER leave a dog near a child, it should always be in a separate room, if it is going to be in the same room have it on a lead or within arms reach if you no you can grab it before it does any damage. People can have dogs for 10 year and think they no them, but they can turn just like that.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I keep my dog on a lead at all times and tell people that he isn't friendly if they try to approach.

He is a rescue dog with behavioural issues associated with taken from his mum too young , being mistreated and there is potential that at some point he has been made to fight.

Definately a dog that requires 1 on 1.

I can do anything with him and he will approach a couple of my friends and my family. Everyone else is treated with suspicion

Dont muzzle her but tell people not to approach until you can address her behaviour.

If she is mouthing, it is credible that like mine she was taken from the litter too early.

Good luck with her x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Also there are various kinds of muzzles

I would go with a halter type to be going on with, that way it's more comfortable for the dog, and you also have control of her head if she should make a move to nip anyone.

That and pretty much any of the advice above

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

hi if u tell the people first she is prone to nipping then its their choice if they are willing to take that chance when they stroke the dog i dont like muzzling dogs unless really necessary

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

"We have a lab and he nipped when he was a puppy, never muzzled him, just said to people, but if they don't ask first then there own fault if you ask me , commen courtesy to ask the dog owner first if it's ok to pet , stroak the dog. Then comes the problem with young children so in that instance I would then explain to the parents. It will grow out of it. Good luck. X

it might be common courtesy to ask to pet a dog but its what the law says that is cause for concern.

If the law says that any dog who bites/nips must be muzzled then muzzle it you must. At the end of the day it only takes one nip of a complaining colin's hand for the police/rspca to be called.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Do you chastise her for nipping?"

Yes because I hate it, she gets told off and a tap on the nose. Thanks to all for your tips, I don't think I'll be taking my brother in laws advice of showing the dog who's boss by punching her in the head then giving her a treat!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

as the owner of 3 dogs.. i went to puppy classes (highly recommend this) and its natural for a puppy to nip in play.. the way to correct is whenever ur puppy does this put ur thumb in its mouth pointing downwards and just quickly pull their jaw down without hurting them.. this annoys them and they soon get out the habit..

as for being on a lead.. u need to trust ur dog and let them off! practice recall at home with treats, when ur out let them knwo u have treats to come back to.

but a puppys natural instinct is nto to go far from the pack, also if u keep them waiting before letting them off then when u finally do they will think yay freedom and wont obey u at all..

but i really reccomend going to classes to socialise ur dog and learn some training..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

if people do approach then just say loud he's a puppy and still quite nippy.. most other dog walkers will understand..

my oldest is deaf and dominent and tries to put other dogs in their place and the noises he makes sound bad cos he cant hear himself.. he has never harmed another dog but a dog has taken badly to it and turned on him, so im more owrried for his safety than the other dog as if they turn he rolls straight on his back into submission..

i would never dream of not letting him off lead tho.. altho i do have to keep up with him if he goes to approach another dog so i can whip a lead on and i always say to the other owner i need to watch him as he can try and put dogs in thei rplace.. normally everything is fine..

but training is the key.. :D

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

oh an dplease dont muzzle the dog! get advice from the puppy classes.. one near me is only £5 a class..

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By *oodmessMan
over a year ago

yumsville

At 5 months they are still very young and both learning and puching boundaries - you could try cutting up some old denim jeans - tying a knott in them and freezing it for her to chew.

Carrots and slices of apple both clean and cool their lil teeth same with ice cubes in their water

A kong or something from tough toys will both last and be a focus for them to chew and can also be used as a distraction if they get too nippy. (though dont make it into a game - you nip - i give toy)

Squeeky toys can also encouage the bite behaviour so try not to use these.

Its all about reinforcing behaviour you want - though all the family have to do the same or its pointless. If she nips someone, they must immediately stop playing and possibly get up and walk away, ignoring for a good period.

A high pitched outch (mousey) is similar to what they hear when in their litter so this usually acts as a deterrant too.

There is no point tapping her nose when theres less impactful things you can do at home. A dog doesnt need to be shy of hands. Dogs need consistencey and then more consistency to tell them right and wrong.

;)

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By *oodmessMan
over a year ago

yumsville

as someone has said too - socialisation classes or training classes will help a lot too! more than you think

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

yh good point from post above, at 5 months he is proberly teething and all they want is to bite when they are.. so plenty of nice chew toys for him..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"as someone has said too - socialisation classes or training classes will help a lot too! more than you think

haha i agreed with u and then u agreed with me :D

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Our little shirley doesnt have a nasty bone but would never ever trust her 100%,.same with gordon when he wad alive.

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By *lackCherryCouple
over a year ago

Bristol

"We've not long had our 5 month old pup, she's a lab so already on the large side and very playful, and can get a bit nippy. "

Our dog had exactly the same problem, we cured this by exchanging biting for licking so starting with a short sharp "No teeth" whenever teeth got into contact with us and then if he ever licked us praised with "good licks" and gave treats so in the end whenever he got a little over excited and nippy wed shout the "No" and "licks only".

Didnt take him more than a week to catch on. Good luck

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By *hris148Man
over a year ago

"We've not long had our 5 month old pup, she's a lab so already on the large side and very playful, and can get a bit nippy.

Didnt take him more than a week to catch on. Good luck

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Remember chain of command hunan first dog second in wild there is always a leader. Having a good natured controlled dog is so rewarding

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 04/03/13 19:54:24]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Never chastise. Always reward good behaviour. The poor think has no idea of what is right or wrong otherwise. It makes me SO angry to see people punishing their pets.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Never chastise. Always reward good behaviour. The poor think has no idea of what is right or wrong otherwise. It makes me SO angry to see people punishing their pets."

u need some degree of letting them knwo wrong tho.. they wont work out that good behavior is all they can do.. its how u control bad behaviour.. so u should let them know wrong with a command like NO.. but then reward when they get it right straight after,,

i like this story..

a rolled up newspaper has been found to be useful in dog training.. if u find ur dog has chewed a shoe up, walk over to the dog and the shoe.. roll up the paper, then hit yourself on the head whilst saying "i should of watched my dog my carefully"

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