Nervous Nipper....

[LittleDogLVR]

Ok well we have a problem here ! Codie tends to get a little over excited / scared when people come over the house. Last weekend he actually nipped my Sister Inlaw.....drew blood...slight pin hole...Good Boy !!....Just kidding :)

He gets very defensive and barks when ever anyone comes to the door, which is totally not like him. He is so calm and Gentle 95% of the time, its only when we have company.

We are having the family over for ThanksGiving.....any ideas on how to handle this other than giving him a treat ?


John

[sdkath]

It might be too short time but what I did with our previous dog is invite everyone I knew for the week or two before our Christmas celebration about 5 years ago. I told them ALL to come in, completely ignore my dog, and not say anything or even look at her until she calms down. Then lavishly praise her and pet her when she's sitting quietly.

I would recommend this because within a week she was 10000x better! Tell all your guests to totally ignore you dog (no eye contact, no words like "no" or "stop" or even "hello") and try to get him used to visitors for the week before... Then when he's acting appropriately (quiet and calm), give him lots of petting and a few little treats. It really does work well but everyone has to behave the same exact way!

Katherine

[JiJi's Mom]

I crate my girl but the ignoring part irritates her so I have everyone greet her with a "Hi JiJi" and then she barks a couple of times wags her tail and then sits patiently until she's let out.
In your case I would crate Codie since he did bite someone. Good luck!!

[LittleDogLVR]

I guess thats part of the problem, we dont have allot of people coming over.
I will have to get some visitors to come over this weekend.....And try that out

I really dont know how he would handle the crating....we never used it with him.

This is so totally bizzare since he is so Sweet and Gentle !

[Morkie4]

I guess thats part of the problem, we dont have allot of people coming over.
I will have to get some visitors to come over this weekend.....And try that out

I really dont know how he would handle the crating....we never used it with him.

This is so totally bizzare since he is so Sweet and Gentle !

Do you think it is a "nervous" reaction or just a "protective" reaction to guests???? Does he do it asap when guests arrive or when they get close to one of your family members? Have you tried to hold him and yet ignore him and have guests ignore him until he is comfy they are "ok?"

When he is out and about, is he social with others or does he do the same thing or shy away from "unknown" people????

How long has he been doing this? Sorry about all the questions but seems there is a "key" to this behavior since he is sweet and gentle.

I agree that if the guests "ignore" him, he will most likely ignore them (at least I would think so). I am sure the first thing people want to do is love on him and he is not having it. He wants to deal with other people on "HIS" terms and that is just fine but the "people" have to accept that is the way it is going to be. Toby is NOT social with other people and tends to growl (never bitten) so I hold him until the guests are settled and then if I put him down and he growls, I just tell him NO GROWLING and if he continues, I simply pick him up and repeat no growling. Eventually he calms down and is fine but it still takes him more time to make up with guests than the girls. I guess it is just his nature or personality.

Brandy was food aggressive when we adopted her. She bit me once and hubby once when we were by her food and at first I thought it was fine as she was protecting her share of the loot but then I thought, hey wait, "I" am the packleader and she can not be biting ME!!! (OK to bite the hubby because he is part of the pack:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:). Well, I started to do the submission roll when she would growl at me and trust me, it was traumatic for "BOTH" of us. I had to do it three or four times but after that, she may still growl but she never bites now and just leaves her food and comes to me for approval. I can leave my hand in her bowl and she is fine. So I guess we just had to come to a mutual agreement. As a "LAST" attempt to correct Codie's behavior, I would try the submission roll a couple of times when he attempts to nip, but only as a last resort. AND if you do try the submission roll, don't let him up until he has totally submitted to you or it is of no value. I really hate to do it but sometimes it is necessary. JMHO

[Zanadu'sMom]

Ok well we have a problem here ! Codie tends to get a little over excited / scared when people come over the house. Last weekend he actually nipped my Sister Inlaw.....drew blood...slight pin hole...Good Boy !!....Just kidding :)

He gets very defensive and barks when ever anyone comes to the door, which is totally not like him. He is so calm and Gentle 95% of the time, its only when we have company.

We are having the family over for ThanksGiving.....any ideas on how to handle this other than giving him a treat ?


John

:lol2::lol2::lol2: I am sorry :o The sister in law thing got me :D
Nemo is the same way, John :o He never has nipped , but he gets like a Nutbag every time someone comes over, I need to put him in the backyard for a bit till he calms down,it's very annoying sometimes. After awhile he does calm down, I don't know have any solid advice I hope someone can help.
Good Luck

[LittleDogLVR]

Hi Carol

I think its a combination of Nervous and protective....As in Himself !
He has always been affraid of people but just the past 6 months or so showing the nipping....and I think we were in denial the first time.....

We dont have a lot of company coming over other than Megans Friends, and he doesnt do well in the car (Throws Up ) so he doesnt interact with other dogs other than when he is groomed.

I guess we need to expose him to other people and dogs.

To make matters worse my mother in law in affraid of dogs....all dogs!

Hi Andrea....NutBag is it...Perfect ! Its like he has 2 personalities.....Psycho dog and sweet Codie !
Glad you like the SIL joke :)If anyone in our family deserved it she did:lol2:

Anyone feel like coming over and being my test team ?

[CinttisLuke]

I agree with Katherine, Carol and Andrea!! I think they made good points!!

Lucas barks at visitors all the time but after they pet him his okay! I don't know if he just want attention:confused:?? Probably!:lol2: