Hi everyone.
i have got a 11week old ckcs and she is nipping at my kids(13,12,11 and 9)when she is playing with them and pulls at there clothes.
i am quiet worried about her nipping them as it could get out of hand.
I have read on the forum about the the water spray method will this work and should i spray it at her or should the child she is nipping.

She will go over to one of the kids when she is tried and fall a sleep on them.

HI

I don't have time to send a long reply - but basically you have to stop the play before the puppy nips. As soon as she nips say a firm no and turn away and ignore her. You must all do this and especially for the children - they must give the puppy peace and quiet so she can rest. All puppies nip - but often it's because they are tired and want some peace. If she carries on - each time she nips then put her in the kitchen for just a couple of minutes away from all of you. She'll soon learn that nipping does not get her anywhere - quite the reverse.

Sorry it's a bit rushed but hth

Pam n the boys

hi,
you still have a baby if 11weeks then presume you have had he/she two weeks, it's aprocess they all go through like our own babes teething they have to bite things to help new teeth through and it's a form of play, be consistend with what you do and say, i never let my children play with any puppy i have had, they are both taught to respect one another , my children are not allowed to run around a puppy and exicte them to much and my pups put to bed in a quiete place away from the children, like i put my children to bed the two youngest ones for there naps. they are allowed to sit on the floor all together and have lots of cuddles, and to sit at two of the feeding times were they gentle stroke puppy and put hands in to food bowl to let pup eat from hands, never had a snappy dog or dog who is possesive over food yet,when pup is a older and more calmer they are allowed to play with throwing toys ,balls etc, and they are not allowed to play tug of war games regardless of breed, until they are both respectfull of one another, regards tina

Yes, i think the first thing to realise is that this is normal behaviour for a pup of any breed :) So dont worry!!

Secondly, it will not stop overnight unless you apply drastic punishment, which in its turn may mean that the pup will never learn to control the strength of its jaws and may not learn bite inhibition.

It is best if the pup realises that basically nipping gets it nowhere.....so if the kids are playing and the pup nips excitedly, you can try yelping as if in pain....this will work with sensitivie pups only, not excitable ones and almost certainly not from a herding or reactive breed. HOwever as yours is a Cavvie, give it a go :) It will take a bit of this for the pup to register, and eventually you can get to the point where, even if the pup gently grazes the skin, you have "upped teh criteria" so that even then you can yelp and the pup will realise the human skin is very fragile.

If this doesnlt work, or it excites the pup and he thinks you are his new squeaky toy (!), then keep him on a house lead....try a light chain one on an ordinary colar if he chews it.

When he goes OTT, calmly take the lead and put him out the room for no longer than 2 minutes. Then allow him back in; you will probbly have to do this a lot the first few days, but gradually the pup will realise that his nipping means and end to all interaction adn the end of his fun.

In the litter this is basically what 2 pups playing will do, end the game if one or other gets rough,usually with a yelp but if notjust end the game anyway by taknig pup out.

If you are consistent, this will work. Of course kids need to be taught and so do partners, as a lack of consistency will mean the pup leanrs more slowly or even not at all.

I would also recommend Gwen BAiley's "The Perfect Puppy", from www.crosskeysbooks.com, or try Amazon.

Good luck
Lindsay

Hi Sam,
Dont worry, your pup will grow out of it :).we went through the same thing with our cocker.He is now 19,20 weeks and has calmed right down.If he does get a bit over exited weve got the kids to stand still and (folding arms) ignore him.He soon relized that this wasnt fun and fingers crossed it only happens once in a while now;)
Have you thought of enrolling him into a puppy class, this may help as well.
Hope things calm down for you soon:)

thank you for all your advice.
I will put it into practice and see how i get on.
I am a first time puppy mum so all your advice is very helpful.

Hi

We have a 13 week old border collie and had the same problem from about 10 weeks - we followed Pammy's similar advice and are pleased to say that she seems to have got over the nipping/snapping with my boys - we try to stop the play before the nipping starts and this really works well. We also let her sleep a lot more and she is much calmer.

Hope it works for you.

Linda