Hi All

We have a beautiful border collie - 12 weeks old. She has settled in very well into our family but has started to over mouth when playing (snapping) - she is well occupied throughout the day by someone or everyone in our family (I have three boys - 8 10 and 13). She does not snap at my husband who she seems to respect more than the rest of us - even though he is out at work most of the day. Do you think we need to be 'stronger' with her - tone of NO, etc.? Any suggestions?

Thanks

Linda

The basic answer to your question Linda is YES. Your puppy really needs to understand that touching you or anyone else with her teeth is not acceptable. I say it that way rather than biting as it is the touching with teeth not just biting that you have to control. As soon as either of my boys gets a bit excited and just catches any of us with their teeth we stop, a firm NO and ignore them. They stop immediately. You can get to this stage but it takes just a little time but most of all consistency.

All puppies nip and mouth - but you have to control it. They have to chew for teething so ensure she has the right kinds of things she can chew. What often happens is that people and children in particular get a puppy excited the puppy doesn't realise it and gets carried away and starts nipping. The knack is to stop the play before the nipping starts. As soon as she does nip though say NO very firmly and if necessary remove her from your company for a few moments. She wants to be with you and will soon learn that biting gets her taken away. Limit the amount of play to what she can reasonably cope with and change it so that she is doing different things.

The other thing is to ensure that rough play is not allowed by anyone in the family. This seems to be enjoyed by dogs and puppies but can easily get out of hand and be confusing for the puppy. On one hand you're saying - hey it's ok to play with your mouth now - but then - oy - don't do that. The poor thing won't know which is which. I could hazzard a guess that with three boys the age they are that they like a bit of lively play:D

She could also be getting over tired. It's great to have someone with her all the time - but she does need lots of quiet time to sleep and rest and she also needs to be left on her own at times so that she is comfortable in her own company and not looking for someone to be with her all the time.

Sorry if that seems long but hope it is of some help and makes sense:D

Pam n the boys

Thanks Pammy n' boys - for your advice - I have copied your reply so that I can show the family so that we all stay consistent with Becksie. She does sleep a lot - we can't believe how much and the boys know that she needs to be left alone when she is tired. Thanks again.
Linda

You're very welcome Linda. Please do let us know how things go.

Pam n the boys

Hi Pammy and Boys
Just to give you an update. Becksie is so much calmer after taking your advice. We stop play as soon as we feel she is 'turning' and yes it works - no snapping. My boys are also giving her a lot more space. We are quite shocked at how calm she actually is for a border collie - we are delighted with her.
Many thanks for your help.
Linda

Linda

That is brilliant news. So glad things are working out. It is so good to get updates.

Keep up the good work

Pam n the boys

We are quite shocked at how calm she actually is for a border collie
Heh, heh, heh :) :) .....just wait until she hits her "teenage stage" and see if she changes into "Kevin" :D :D :D :D (somewhere around 6-9 months old ;) )

Yes you wait!! hee hee! I have a BC Molly and her snapping is due to her younger years being miss treated as I re homed Molly. She is still snapping at strangers and family so I am going to have to get some extra help to try and understand. We think she was hit on the back. She has never bitten me or my husband only once with me when we were playing just a BC nip. However, I can't trust her around anyone, she will not go out her way to nip but if she is approached and fussed she will nip the person as if to say get off. Trying to get her out of this at the age of 4 now is very hard so I am off to my vet to see a behavoirist (soz about the spelling!). But I love her to bits and will do all I can to help her.

Julieann and Molly