does pinning a dog down work to stop nipping?

Question

My 4 month APBT/alaskan malamute/lab mix sometimes gets too excited when we play with her and she starts nipping. It's not aggressive biting, it's play biting, but it's inappropriate behaviour and we want her to get that message. When she's with me and my sister and if she starts biting one of us, we say "leave it" (she's still working on that command though) and give her a toy to chew instead, but if that doesn't work, one of us takes her leash and says "no!" or "ah ah!" and we lead her away from whoever she nipped, or the person she nipped leaves her and walks into another room for a few minutes, and comes out when the puppy calms down. If we're outside and she nips, then we put her on a time out, which is tying her to a tree and then we walk away from her, and come back when she's quiet and calm. The time out method works, and she's nipped less since we've started it. However, when we were at puppy school the other day, my family told her that she still nips, and the trainer suggested grabbing the scruff of her neck and pinning her to the ground and then rubbing/petting her until she relaxes; if she calms down, then she can be released. She suggested this because it's "more immediate." My dad and uncle said that they'd try it, and my mom and aunt agreed. I, however, refuse to, because I'm not strong or fast enough to do that, and I don't want to get my hand hacked off. I'm also not really a fan of this method. My dad did it and he said that it worked, but I'm still wary. Has anyone used this method? Was it successful? Is this method safe? Will it ultimately get her to stop nipping? What are the pros and cons? I appreciate your answers.

note: We tried the squealing method, and it isn't useful when she's biting our legs/feet, which is what she does. We also tried the water squirt method and the pennies in a tin can method, and both didn't work; she just started lunging at the water gun and tin can, and after a while she completely ignored the water and the noise of the coins in the can. And we do walk her and give her enough physical/mental exercise, so please don't suggest that.

Answer 1

The methods you are using are the best ones. I would add that you should take care not to overstimulate the puppy while playing, as dogs do not make good decisions when they are too excited. If you keep the play gentle and mild, the puppy will not get so worked up, and the nipping will decrease.

Then you can concentrate on removing your attention from the pup every time she nips.



Last, but not least, I don't know where you are going to train, but you need to fire that person and hire a better trainer.



Here is a link to some great ideas on working with puppy biting:



http://siriuspup.com/



Click on the behavior problems link.



I would like to point out, however that PetSmart trainers do NOT tell people to scruff or pin their dogs to the ground. It is against policy. Sorry to burst your bash. :o)

Answer 2

You are 100% correct. Pinning a dog to the ground is an incredibly outdated method of "training" - however, "trainers" like Cesar Milan still use it and tell people to use it too. It is very dangerous; I recall hearing a story of a woman who tried it on her dog and the dog bit her in the face (not nipped, really bit and caused damage), and who can blame it? Unfortunately, unless your dad starts listening to you, your dog will continue to nip him and may start nipping you and your brother again - and the nips will most likely eventually turn into full blown aggression. A 7-month-old dog is still a puppy, but what happens when the puppy teeth turn into adult teeth? Nothing you can do will counter the effects until your dad stops this. To train a dog, all members of the family must use the same method, or the dog will get confused. You need to sit down with your dad and discuss this with him - maturely. Do not yell or be disrespectful, or he'll just get angry and stop listening. Research this a bit more and find some articles or posts on forums about nipping and why methods like pinning a dog don't work. Try getting him to watch the TV show "It's Me or the Dog" (on Animal Planet). It's a great show if you haven't seen it, and there are quite a few episodes where the trainer - Victoria Stilwell (check her out too) - helps owners with nipping dogs by ignoring it (and it works). Good luck and HTH!

Answer 3

When she nips, immediately stop playing and interacting with her. Give her the silent treatment and keep your back turned to her. Do not acknowledge her existence in any way, shape, or form for 10 minutes. Teach her that nipping means game over, no exceptions, and she will stop because that's just not fun.



Pinning a dog down really depends on the dog. It's a hostile action, not dominance, and will be perceived as an attack. Many dogs will tolerate it and submit, but some will bite you in the face for this. A 4 month old puppy probably won't give you any trouble, but do bear in mind that forcibly pinning or "alpha rolling" a dog is an act of hostility and aggression, not dominance and submission. Your dog will only learn that you are unstable, unpredictable, and hostile. Not exactly a good way to begin your relationship.



Yelping is a waste of time, I do not know why people keep suggesting you do that. Yelping only tells a puppy which buttons to push. Puppies DO NOT CARE if they hurt one another or you, they only care that you keep interacting and providing entertainment. Yelping only tells them that they hurt you, that they found the right button to push to get a new reaction from you. Most puppies will NOT learn to stop nipping because of yelping. The reason puppies yelp is because it hurts, but it's what they do NEXT that teaches bite inhibition--THEY BITE BACK. A puppy learns from its littermates and mother that when they bite, they get bitten back.



Pinch the ear with your fingernails hard enough to get a yelp out of the puppy. Literally growl "no bite", get up, and walk away. Just like mama dog, just like the other puppies did.

Answer 4

Nope. It's BS that's about 30 years out of date. Here's an article about it. http://companionanimalsolutions.com/blogs/dangers-of-alpha-rolling/



You guys need the help of a REAL trainer, not some crap pet smart cesar milan disciple. In fact, I'd complain about this trainer recommending this. Seriously, it's dangerous.



I already see NUMEROUS errors in your training process.



First, you don't give a dog a toy to get them to stop biting. You see "Here's a toy to play with instead of biting me." The dog sees "If I bite you, I get a toy and you play with me."



Second, "Squealing" is a crap technique. The only reason it occasionally works is because it sound distracts the dog. It doesn't make the dog think you are a hurt puppy, and even if it did, why would you want to be a hurt dog?



Third, you tie her to a tree? A puppy with 2 out of 3 breeds that are NOTORIOUS for animal aggression and escaping? I'm all for time outs, but that's what dog beds are for. We use a "go to bed" time out command. My GSD hears it, runs to his bed, lays down, and stays until he's released.



Fourth, the second someone says they walk their dog and give plenty of physical and mental exercise, red flags start waving. The dog is getting 5-10 walks, play sessions, training sessions, obedience sessions, and such a day, each for 15-30 minutes?



Fifth, She's A Puppy! She will grow out of this.





To me, the next steps would be to stop all the BS crap you guys are doing. I would then INSTIGATE play everytime the puppy is up and moving. Don't let her start it - this is when most biting behaviour occurs. The pup should NEVER be roughhoused with - no hand play, no body play, no hands or forarms in her mouth. And NO TUG until she can get this under control a bit more.



She's plenty old to be told "leave it" and put into a sit everytime she comes at your hands. She HAS to stay in sit until she calms slightly and then you can release her (I use 'ok') and start the play over with a toy.

Answer 5

I'v actually never heard of that before ... but it sounds a little cruel... whenever my APBT/lab/ and whatever else she is, starts nipping i give her a little tap on the nose and that has really helped a lot ...but may i ask ... are you really afraid that she'll bite you if you do that? you shouldnt... but i think that method will probably make her aggressive so i would stop that.

Answer 6

I personally don't agree with that method, having owned a dog that was previously abuse and things like that would frighten the crap out of him.



Your original method is what works best, in my experience. Also reward her when she plays nicely, such as a treat on occasion, extra petting, longer playing time, etc.





If you work at it, it will stop. You also have to be sure that when you tell her to leave it, your voice is firm, and you are taller than her, as to exert your "alpha-ness"



x) Good luck!

Answer 7

I think the practice of ignoring her/time out is best. It takes longer, but won't cause other problems that grabbing her scruff will. She is just a pup. That sounds rough and like she will develop a way to avoid or stop the grabbing. I think you were on the right path. You have to be a bit patient with wild puppies.

Answer 8

Haha when I read the first few sentences I thought u meant his nipples!

Answer 9

Omg I hope you go go jail for animal cruelty you sick sick sick human. How did you even get a dog. You freak. I hope a giant comes and pins you and then has its way with you :)

Answer 10

This is the best punishment for nipping.

Answer 11

I like to just smack them on the nose!

They should get the msg,it hurts enough.

If they dont understand,smack harder,until they get it!