Nipper

[Jillian Petras]

Hello everyone!  It has been quite a while since I visited this site.  For those of you who are newer to the Minerva Doodle Group, I have a cream colored male named Charlie.  He was from the Nov '09 litter.  I cant believe my Charlie has gotten so big!  He is almost 1.5 years and weighs 60 pounds.  We love him to pieces!

 

One of the reasons for my hiatus is due to the birth of my daughter this past December.  We have been very careful with introducing the baby to Charlie (who is still a baby himself).  Things are going great we have had no problems what-so-ever.  My only concern is that Charlie is and always has been a "nipper".  I dont think he does this intentionally or viciously, as it only happens when he is excited. He goes for your clothes and in the process sometimes gets your skin as well.  We have tried various things to stop him but he continues to do this once in a while.  My fear is once the baby starts crawling/walking he will get excited and do this to her. 

 

Has anyone had experience with a "Doddle-Nipper"?  Any suggestions?

[Jillian Petras]

Ok so I guess it would have been wise to read the discussion posted right before mine!!!  HAHA.  Sorry for the repeat...

 

[Kyoko]

Hi, JIllian! Congratulation on the birth of your baby!!!

 I think nipping in wee little puppy and older puppy may be handled a little differently.  I think Charlie ( mine) was about 7 ~ 8 months old, we addressed this nipping issue, and it worked like a magic. This instruction was given to me from her trainer.

1) You and your husband will need to have a little whistle with wrist band attached so that you can wear it all of the time.( Like the one gym teacher would have)

2) As soon as the dog mouth, say nothing, just blow the wistle and leash up your dog. ( Timing is important) The other end of the leash should be connected to the door knob or something. But the leash should be just long enough for the dog to sit, but too short to lay down.

3) Once the dog is calm, say nothing and take him off the leash.

That's all!! Charlie hated it, I ony had to blow the wistle a couple of times, and she completely quit!!!

[Ken]

Hey Jillian

I have not been on here in a few Years .... oops Congrats on your expansion :-) Hows Charley doing? Grady is 72 pounds and solid !! Still got a heck of a lot of energy!

How has the nipping been? We had to no longer allow Grady to freely jump to say hi to use as he would nip in his excitement. The vet said he needed to understand his place in the family. So, no more jumping or allowing him to wrestle etc. This took care of his need to nip. He has been great since. With us it can be tough:-(