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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Jennifer Shryock is a certified dog behavior consultant, who specializes in helping families keep things safe and fun between children and the family dog/s. She has a duo bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Kutztown University. She combined her passion for working with families, children and dogs into a career in dog behavior, and founded Family Paws in 2002. She developed Dogs & Storks™, an original and complete program for new and expecting parents (and grandparents) who have a family dog.
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6/24/2005
I have a 9 month old Samoyed, he has recently taken to nipping and biting in the evenings when you are sitting down, he won't let up even trying to play with a toy to distract him, doesn't work, you can't ignore him because that makes him worse, the only thing that you can do is to put him outside or in another room, but I don't like doing this and it takes a few goes before he calms down. I do have another dog Deefer, who is approximately 6 years old Samoyed Collie cross. He is neutered, Spooky the pup isn't, could there be a dominance issue here? I want to know how I can stop the biting. Thanku rara (spookyrara, Outside the US)
Thank you Rara for writing.
It sounds like you have a pup full of energy. Here are some thoughts that I like to keep in mind when looking at any unwanted behavior.
- How is this behavior working for your dog?
- What is your reaction to the behavior.
Dogs are rewarded very easily and even if this gets a vocal response of any kind, it might be enough to continue pursuing. For example: you sit and he comes over and mouths you. You look at him (reward 1) and respond to him with a verbal No, or ouch (reward 2). This gives enough motivation to continue trying this beha
vior.
So, why is he doing this? What kind of mental and physical stimulation is he getting? What alternatives are you teaching him besides attention seeking this way? Have you tried putting a leash on him in the evening inside and using some tethering methods while he enjoys a stuffed food dispensing toy or another engaging activity? Possibly feed him at this time when you are wanting to sit and relax?
Often dogs do not know what to do and we need to teach them what it is we want them to do. It sounds like you are trying this with offering him a toy but it is not working. What other toys or chew objects have you tried? I like to use a bath mat and teach pups a "place" command so that they learn to enjoy quiet evenings on their place. There are many ways to teach this and it can be really wonderful.
The most important thing though to consider is are your expectations realistic according to the amount of mental and physical needs of your individual pup? A bored pup is an attention seeking and possibly destructive pup. I highly recommend getting involved in obedience classes if you have not and be sure he is getting ample exercise mentally and physically.
I hope this is helpful. Thank you for emailing your question
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