New nipping problem

[virginiawoolf]

my 9mo gsd i adopted a little over a month ago has developed a problem with nipping.

for a month she was great. had issues with other dogs, and some people, but we found a trainer who we are meeting with next weekend, and i thought those things could possibly be solved.

but within the past two weeks, she has started exhibiting some pretty bad behavior.

when i get home from work, i let her out of the kennel, and she is very excited and restless, this i more than understand. but she's begun to jump on me. i tried turning my back, telling her uh-uh and telling her to sit, but she has started nipping at me instead. it is like she can't hear me. she has also started nipping if i try to get her down from the bed, or other times if she does not get her way. i know this is a serious problem, and i do not want to escalate. but i just do not know what i can do to let her know this behavior is unacceptable.

she gets plenty of exercise, so that is not the reason for this. i just don't understand why this behavior is all the sudden popping up. that along with her other issues make it feel like i'm in a constant struggle with her, unless it is the 40% of the time that she is sweet as can be.

i'm so distraught, i feel like i'm going crazy. what can i do?

[IceyBlueSibes]

Sounds like she's hit that "teenager" stage! A lot of pups tend to "push" your boundaries.

I think it sounds like training needs to be taken a step up. I understand you are meeting with a trainer next weekend, but in the mean time I would really start working on obedience training.

Also, you need to limit her priveleges. If she is nipping at you when you try to get her off the bed -- then no bed priveleges until she can relinquish the bed without any qualms. I'd suggest teaching the "off" command (meaning get off whatever you are on). This way you do not have to physically pull/push her off using your hands (in case she does nip you).
Start out using a leash. This way you can be at a slight distance from the bed, and keep your hands out of her reach. Gently tug on the leash while she is laying on the bed, and say "Off". Once she is completely off. Praise and treats galore. Repeat this process several times, and everyday. But don't repeat the word if you are having trouble getting her off of the bed. Only use it when you know for a fact she is going to get down with a tug of the leash.

I'd probably keep her tethered while I was at home. This way I have control over her, but I don't have to directly be physical.

If she jumps up, take the leash to pull her down and tell her "OFF!". Once her feet hit the floor, praise her for being down.

How long have you tried the methods for when she jumps on you? Are you constantly switching between those? If so - you're probably confusing her and that's why she's not complying. You should choose a method and stick with it. The turning the back thing may a take a while. I've known of some dogs to try and try to get your attention with your back turned, but staying strict with it and not paying any attention should give the message across. But like I said, if you are doing multiple things to keep her off -- she may not understand what you are asking.

As far as exercise -- what do YOU consider exercise?

Does she get taken on walks? If so, for how long and how often?

[virginiawoolf]

icey,

yeah, i figured she is going through bratty teenage stage. i went through it myself. it's just that that issue, along with her previous dog aggression, and sometimes human aggression, i feel like i'm so overloaded! especially since these new problems just arose. but we're going to seriously work on these issues.

i have definitely decided that she no longer has bed or couch privileges until she has acknowledges the fiance and i are the leaders of the pack.

the leash idea is great. i think it will really help when she's in those little moods.

and you are right, i am sending mixed signals. i will be consistent.

as for the exercise, i walk her 30 minutes in the morning, jog/walk with her a little over an hour after i get home from work (and actually the past week she has decided to stop the walks because she's tired, by just plopping down), and then i walk her around 30 minutes before bed.

[IceyBlueSibes]

I'm glad I could offer you some help

Just be consistant with her, and firm. Don't allow her to run you over. I'd also start making her sit and wait to be released when it's feeding time.

Have you heard of NILIF? Nothing in Life is Free?

I think this would benefit you if she has had "human aggression" problems before. It's very simple, in the fact that she must perform something for you (a sit, a down, speak, etc) before she may have something. That "something" could be food, playing, going outside, etc. If you apply it to attention (if she is pushy for it -- nudging your arm, barking at you, etc), you can make her sit quietly for it, but it in no way means to restrict the attention she gets. You just have to be a little more firm as far as what she gets.