How to Stop a Bad Habit?

United States
June 16, 2008 1:52am CST
My dog just turned one, and he's still into nipping people. He does this when he wants attention, and especially when he's excited. I'm beginning to see why some breeds are called anklebiters. Does anyone know of an effective way to curb this bad behavior?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Seraphine (385)
• Finland
16 Jun 08
If he nips you should ignore him until he stops, no matter how long it takes. You can't even look at him or tell him 'no' as that is still attention he is looking for even though you don't intend it to be. If his nipping is really that severe that you can't tolerate it, do timeouts. Do you have a place you can make as a time-out place? It cannot be his crate, cause as already mentioned forcing a dog to go in his crate as a punishment will only make the dog think of the crate as a bad thing. A small room blocked off by babygates or anything similar will do. Whenever he nips, take the dog into time-out and let him out a few minutes later when he's calmed down. If he nips again when you come to let him out, turn your back and walk back out. Keep doing this until he behaves. You and everybody else in the household have to do this every time he nips so it's consistent, otherwise it won't work as well. A second thing, make sure he's properly exercised and gets enough mental stimulation. Tired dogs are usually good dogs.
@jban0811 (98)
• Australia
16 Jun 08
Well it seems you will have to discipline him. I know it's going to be a pain getting angry at your dog but you'll have to do it. All you have to do is show that you don't like what your dog is doing. Say something to him, tell him off, make an angry face, give him a time out(It works for some dogs strangely enough). Make sure your dogs know that you are not happy about what his doing.
@jhl930 (3601)
• United States
16 Jun 08
well you can try using a firm voice and saying no and putting him in a cage or carrier or something liek that everytime he does something wrong to show him that he did wrong and after a few days of that i am sure that he will get the hint that he is doing something wrong...or taking things away from him that he really likes(maybe a toy or something like that that he likes laying with all of the time)i don't know if raising your voice is a good idea(some people think it is)but i think that being a puppy it would make him nervous later on in life...i have had a few dogs that have had people raise their voices at them and they are so nervous later on in life...so you could try what i suggested...good luck!