Update on Cracker @ 5 months

[gt_mustang_gal]

I noticed in other threads that some of you have asked about an update on Cracker. As many of you remember, I was having a lot of trouble with him biting and being aggressive. I tried EVERY suggestion that you guys gave me, but nothing seems to be working. If he does something wrong, I can still put him on his side and make him stay there until he totally submits. I'm fairly positive he knows I am the dominant one, so I don't think that's the issue. He just can't stop biting and nipping - he is especially bad with hands and fingers. It is now to the point where if I say "NO" to him when he bites me, he will bark and growl at me. I'm not intimidated by him and won't hesitate to put him on his side when he does this. However, he REALLY scares other people when they say "NO" and then he lunges towards them barking and growling. They feel like he could possibly attack them.

He is completely house trained and hasn't had a single accident since the first week in his new home. He is extremely smart and learns tricks/commands very quickly. Of course, I've used treats to train him so I have to be careful about saying treat or bone unless I'm ready to give him one. The funny part is that I started SPELLING the words but now he recognizes them and will run to the kitchen! So he knows how to spell. He sleeps all night in his crate and doesn't make a sound. He loves to go for rides in the car at ANY time (I took him at midnight last night). If he hears the words "go bye-bye", he will run to his travel crate. He's very loving and attached to me - he follows me around everywhere. He either wants to be in my lap, stretched out on top of my feet, or carried on his back in the cradle position like a baby. I am very fortunate in those areas!

I just wish I could figure out how to stop the biting/nipping.....He is now 5 months old so I'm not sure if this is something he will just grow out of or if I have an aggressive dog on my hands.

P.S. I have not attached pictures because the best ones I have of him are on my cell phone, but when I transfer them to the computer the quality is horrible. So I need to get the real camera out and I PROMISE to post updated pictures soon!

[Meggie]

Oh the cairn puppy nipping phase! Not a fun one. But I'm sure everyone will tell you theirs did it too and it should pass!

I finally broke Hubble of it by just plain yelling at him. Never nipped me again. Hubble was about 7 or 8 months when he finally dropped the "game".

Hoping it's just the typical cairn phase and not a behavioral issue!

[pindrop]

I just wanted to assure you that he will grow out of it. Layla was still nipping till about seven months or so - once all her baby teeth had fallen out and replace with her second teeth. I know how hard it is for you as we felt the same way. Just be patient and you will be rewarded. Hang in there.

[Lynn in TN]

Kelly has lost all of her baby teeth except 1. So she now has a new set of choppers that look scarier than the baby teeth but I find they hurt a little less. She is still nipping and biting but nowhere near as bad as she was. I have never seen a dog lose their teeth and replace them as quick as Kelly.

[Dempsy's Mom]

I think Cracker will grow out of it too. He sure sounds like a smarty pants. Can't wait to see the little chomper.

[hheldorfer]

Yes, please post photos of "Jaws" when you get a chance. Glad to hear he's doing well.

[oscar's mom]

Have you thought about holding his mouth closed and whispering "no bite". And i really mean whisper. I think it took more then 1 week, but everyday the nipping lessened.

He still listening to this command. Like when Oscar is playing with my son and starts nipping at his jeans to catch him I say "no bite" and he stops automatically.

[Idaho Cairns]

I would agree with Oscar's Mom, I have always used the muzzle grab and a loud "No bite!" to stop this behavior and it does work for me. Combine it with the "alpha roll" and see if the dog makes the connection. Bonnie still likes to mouth when we play and I am always using "No bite" to make sure she doesn't clamp down. It is interesting to watch her use her mouth but never put any force behind it--you know that the command is working. I don't think I would worry at this point at 20 weeks, these Cairns are still little changelings, much of what you see in terms of behavior are going to disappear as they mature.

[Meggie]

We say "No Nipping" or "No Nibbles!" because I didn't want my 6 yr old niece to be afraid of him by using the word "bite".

One day at my Grandmother's residential facility, in the community room, Hub got overly excited jumped and nipped me and I said rather loudly "No nipples!"

Soooo stick with "No bite"

[lindasue]

Pegi was like that until she was about 6-7 months old - it will pass. Just keep being firm. She's now 2 and never does anything like that.

[JohnS33]

Wow- Cracker sounds EXACTLY like my 6 mo old Ricky! perfect house training, learns tricks and commands (as long as there is a treat involved) but nips nips and nips! We had a behaviorist over to help us who said she was encouraged by the fact that he looks at us when we talk to him and can sit quietly on command for a treat - she taught us how to do a proper "Time Out" -- and this has been working very well- we tell him no bite and if he persists after one "No Bite" , (stern, but no yelling), he gets a Time Out --- we calmly and quietly attached to a short lead at a distance from us, or in next room or hall- and we ignore him for no more than 2-3 minutes. At this poiint, if we just say "your gonna get a timer out"- he often changes his tune, but not always. Getting better though.

[mpet]

My Charlie grew out of this on his own, never really had to admonish him in any way. He still takes my hand in his mouth when we play , but, he does not bite down, it is really funny! I think yours will grow out of it also, be patient as he is still a pup!

[gt_mustang_gal]

Thanks so much for the replies! You have all made me feel much better and like I didn't end up with the devil himself. LOL I have tried shouting, whispering, grabbing his muzzle, putting him in time out, crying, etc. If I put a toy in his mouth, he will bite the toy instead of me. So that's a good sign!

Ya know, I sometimes wonder if he can read what I'm typing because the nipping has improved so much since I posted this update. Hopefully it will all stop within the next few months. Since some days are better than others, I often think it might just be his teeth.

[Nancy]

Molly was real bad at nipping, she nipped her boy who grabbed her paw and nipped her back. She came to a dead stop, I mean dead stop, I was jumping up to see if she was ok when she got right in his face, barked once real loud and walked off. But she hasn't nipped again. We were making real progress before that by grabbing her by the nose, closing her mouth and quietly saying no in a stern voice. The quiet baffled her I think..She was use to the loud ouch..