Nipping and Biting

Malshop asks:
Our dog when it does not want to do something it starts to nip and tries to bite. Has anyone had this problem?

DarStar responds:
Our Domonique does that nipping and grabbing your pants leg when he wants your attention, wants to play, etc. He also does this to our Golden Retriever. So I assume this is a doggie way. After all doggies don't have hands. It must be very frustrating to be so small that if you don't want to do something someone can just pick you up and put you where they want you, stop you from what you were doing, etc.

What I do, which work sometimes and sometimes it doesn't, is to say "no bite" and gently open his mouth and remove him, then walk away as though it wasn't a big deal, but I don't expect him to do that again and then I give him his favorite chew toy. I don't know about your dog, but Domonique HAS to chew quite a lot. Also, whenever I want my dog to stop doing something I always say NO not all that loud but deep. And very importantly--in my mind I picture him behaving how I want him to. I think it is really important to not give much importance to the naughty deed or behaviour. Instead, after giving the no command, which all doggies know very early, I focus on the way I want him to behave. I form a picture in my mind of what I want him to do.

It is like training a child. Punishment doesn't work--reward does. Building up their confidence and self esteem works. So put your thoughts and energy in what it is like to be that little doggie and then what does he/she really want? The closer we can come to being in their "shoes" the easier it is to understand what they need and the better our relationship with them becomes. It is why we have relationships with the little darlings, isn't it? Because interaction with them is so fascinating and fulfilling.

Maybe the reason your little doggie is biting when you are "wanting him to do something" is because he wants you to listen to what he is saying. It can't hurt to explain why you want him to do something and maybe it will bring about a better understanding and more compliance.

Do you have the book How To Train Your Bichon Frise by Liz Palika? I just got it and it is excellent. She knows Bichons! She describes much of the behavior if not all, that my buzzer has.

She has a section on biting, nipping & snapping: p. 85
Quote: Teach your Bichon not to use his mouth by not allowing it to happen. Whenever he turns his mouth toward your hand or arm, even in play, use your deep voice, "No Bite!" and move your hand away. If you are playing, stop the game immediately after the correction. If you were giving him a toy or a treat when he used his mouth, take it away. Make sure he understands that using his mouth will not get him whatever he wants and will result in a correction and your displeasure.

If he does not react to the verbal correction, you can use your hand to close his mouth when he tries to bite. Simply close his mouth with your fingers as you tell him, "No Bite!"

If he protests or tries to bite again, repeat the correction. If he works himself into a temper tantrum, take him back to his crate and give him a time-out for 15 or 20 minutes. Let him out when he's calmed down.

When correcting biting, keep in mind that with some dogs, aggression begets aggression. If you show aggressive behaviour toward your dog, he may respond with aggressive behaviour of his own. Therefore, correct the dog enough to stop the biting, but stop the correction as soon as he gives up. Do not hold a grudge, do not rant and rave at your dog, and do not hit him."