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6 month dog keeps nipping 6yo daughter

12 replies

decena · 17/09/2013 20:17

We have a 6 month old vizsla, since he was 8 weeks old. He's a lovely dog, typical vizsla velcroed to us. He's still very hyper and excitable, loves strangers and is the worlds worst guard dog.
Although he is affectionate with my 10 yo, he has snapped and nipped at our 6 yo several times. Not when playing but simply when's he's resting on the floor and she comes close to him. She's not patting or bothering him in any way. He hasn't broken skin but its obviously upsetting DD as she can't understand why he doesn't like her.

She never teases or bothers him.

She has started doing his evening feed with the sit wait routine to try and establish that she is higher in the pack than him but any other suggestions? Will he outgrow this as she gets older?

Our last dog was put down when it went for the delivery man (collie) totally out of the blue and I couldn't bear the thought of having to do the same again.

He is so friendly with everyone else and this breed is suppose to be really good with children.

OP posts:
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Cheddars · 18/09/2013 14:05

Doing the feeds is a good idea and she could also offer a couple of tasty treats (cheese or chicken) while he's eating his dinner so that he gets used to her being around him. Your dd could also be in charge of his favourite toy so that she decides when it is his time to play and when it is time to put it away.

It doesn't sound like the aggression issue your collie had. At 6 months old this problem can hopefully be nipped [sorry] in the bud.

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EvenBetter · 23/09/2013 21:33

The 'pack' idea has been dispelled for several years now and practicing it can be dangerous and damaging for the dogs.
Puppies nip, I'm sure he will outgrow it when he gets older and more secure. Your DD could sit, ignoring him but occasionally throwing a tasty treat on the floor near him. Teach him that being around her makes good things happen, with no pressure to interact with her.
I'm sure in time he'll love her.

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idirdog · 24/09/2013 07:43

Cheddars suggestions are down right dangerous. Do not let your DD give titibits unless the dog has stopped snapping around her or be in "control" of a favourite toy. this will only encourage frustration and the possible need for your dog to act.

This does not sound like puppy play biting so get professional advice APDT or APDC asap. You are right you do not want to have anoher dog put down for being misunderstood.

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Lilcamper · 24/09/2013 09:05

Think you meant APBC Idirdog, also you can look on www.petprofessionalguild.com/

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idirdog · 24/09/2013 14:40

I did Lilcamper thank you Smile

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Booboostoo · 24/09/2013 16:41

You should get advice on aggression from a professional asap. Usually there are quite a few effective techniques but only a professional who sees your dog and his behaviour can advise you on why it is happening and what you can do to make things safer. Meanwhile keep your DD and the dog apart using crates, room dividers and baby gates - lunging at a child that is not even interacting with the dog and biting her is not safe behaviour.

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bellasuewow · 29/09/2013 16:35

Idirdog and boo are right this is a big strong dog bred for hunting with a lot of energy, the dog is young and needs a lot of direction food games do not sound like a good idea. Even when since has the pack idea been dispelled dogs are pack animals so are humans that why we get on nothing wrong with living in a secure pack.

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Lilcamper · 01/10/2013 12:32

bellasue, dogs are NOT pack animals www.apbc.org.uk/articles/why-wont-dominance-die

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binger · 01/10/2013 12:50

Perfectly normal IMO. My 7 year old is constantly growled and grumped at by our 2 year old cocker. She is so loving with everyone else but he is so full on with her that I think she just can't be bothered with him. Usually he just looks at her and she growls. We ignore as he really has brought it on himself with being in her face so much. It's much better between them now for some reason, she loves his cuddles now. I think it's a combination of ds learning to respect dog at rest and him regularly giving her treats.

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Booboostoo · 01/10/2013 16:54

I don't mean to be combative but this must be pointed out: it is absolutely not normal behaviour, i.e. not something that should be accepted as part of the course and ignored. It is a major warning sign of stress and should always be evaluated and acted upon. This is not a blaming game, the point is not to figure out if the young child 'brought it upon himself' or if it's the dog's fault - the point is to understand the dog's behaviour and modify it so she can feel less stressed around young children and by consequence the children will be more safe around her.

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mrsjay · 01/10/2013 17:42

you need to teach your daughter to step into the dogs space and say off or ouch my dog was doing this when we got him at 7 months it takes a while to domaybe speak to your vet about a behaviourist to teach you how to do it properly, we did and it was a godsend he was really nipping and jumping at dd2 especially i think he thought she was a play thing

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mrsjay · 01/10/2013 17:43

the point is to understand the dog's behaviour and modify it so she can feel less stressed around young children and by consequence the children will be more safe around her.

this , it is nobodies fault but needs dealing with

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