Nipping and jumping

[msnyder5]

Bella is a 9 week old female. She gets very excited and chases the kids. She also snips at their feet, nips at thier fingers, and faces. How can we break her of this habit when she is trying to be playful. We tell her no and give her bones but sometimes she won't quit until we put her in her cage.
Michele

[bld2751]

Just be consisitent. It's a stage, but some consistency will help. I'm really good about telling Hercules no when he goes after my pant leg, but my boyfriend isn't as good, and he still goes after his, but not mine. Hercules is almost 6 months, and he's definitely teething, so that has something to do with it. Good luck!

[Marie]

Concistency is the key. Gucci used to nip our toes all the time. Now she is 7 months old and has stop. When she does nips while playing and tell her no stop playing with her and give her something to chew instead. Just keep at it and be patience. Soon she will grow out of it.

[chachi]

Ours does this too. He's 8 weeks old and has just started this so its definitely the age. Just one more thing in that puppy adventure!!!

[lilbumbleybees]

Bouncer used to do the same thing when he was a puppy. Everyone here is right. Consistancy is key. Just keep telling her now and giving her other activites to do. She'll grow out of the habit. Of course, Bouncer still tends to go for stranger's pants legs when they come in the house. A territorial thing. lol

[fasteddie]

Also, you can substitute giving her something else to gnaw/chew on that you do find acceptable, like a chew toy or a fetch toy. It may satisfy her craving to gnaw/chew, and when she does attempt to chew someone's foot or hand, let her know in a firm, tone voice that it is NOT OKAY to do.

[epunee]

Hi, my dog trainner told me to the following
1. Have the kids tuck their fingures and have your dog smell the top of your hands
2. step back tell her good girl/boy
3. Gently have them come up and pet your dog and reward your dog with treats and also praise them.
he said that should work!!!

[blondflava]

It may be just a puppy stage, just like everybody said here... Pepper went through a few of those. First, once he could reach the face - if a person lied on the floor lol - he'd lick away. Then he started nipping the nose, ears, hair - he went through a long painful! stage of pulling on hair. Usually mine since it's long. Then he went to licking again. Seems he's done with stages as he'll turn 1 in less than 2 weeks!!

[Wylie's Mom]

If you want her crate/cage to be a "warm fuzzy place" for her, I definitely would not use it as punishment - under any circumstances.

It is totally normal for puppies to mouth/chew - it's part of their development. I allow Marcel to "chew" on my fingers for a bit (just like he would with his "pack") if he's using a soft mouth. If I don't want him chewing and/or if he's being rough, I immed. REDIRECT - give him a bully stick or whatnot.