Puppy Jumping up Grabbing me

[peter.glynn]

Has anyone had their 5month old puppy jump up and Grab with its Front paws in a vice like grip and Grabbing hold of your arm with his mouth and when I am leading him outside he is still holding on untill he stop he also has a bit at the lead.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hello Peter Glynn,

The behavior is not unusual if that is what you're concerned about. If you ever watch dogs latch onto tug toys and keep their hold even when the toy is lifted, you can see how strongly they can hold. You can also see that strong grip in the sport of Schutzhund when the agitator's sleeve is attacked. Ouch, I imagine that vice-like grip on the arm must be hurting if you don't have some padding!

 

It may be best to redirect this behavior from the arms to tug toys or flirt poles because if the puppy finds it fun (which I am sure it is), it risks becoming a behavior that will keep repeating and can of course, can get quite out of hand!

[peter.glynn]

He is a border collie and i read in one of your archives that herding dogs like grab and nip because that is what they do with sheep does he think i am a sheep even though I train him he doesn't do it to the wife also he goes to mount me he will grab my leg and try to climb up and if I am on all fours with my back to him he mount me and gripping with his front paws sometimes he will get bite when try to put his lead on.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hi Peter,

We may never know for sure what they perceive us as exactly when they play with us, but most likely, they simply perceive us as play mates because when puppies leave the breeder, they leave behind their littermates with which they have played with for several weeks. So when they come to our new homes, they seek to continue play, only that, when they have no other dogs to play with, they seek play with us.

 

If your wife is for the most part at work, since you are around more often, he may simply seek interaction and play with you more often, hence why you are his favorite playmate to nip. Also, if you tend to move a lot and encourage him to play with you by going on a ll fours, he'll think you are much more fun to play with. I would not encourage this though (going on all fours) if this triggers his mounting and biting.

 

While the grabbing and nipping may be somewhat tolerable at this time, we want to address this before the age of 7 to 8 months when those permanent teeth are in and the jaws get much stronger. A good way to accomplish this is by redirecting to toys. Here are a few tips:

 

-Since border collie puppies enjoy quick movements, you can use this to your advantage to redirect your puppy from your hands, ankles and feet to toys. Make toys particularly salient by wiggling them or tossing them around.

-Avoid encouraging rough play by wrestling or offering a hand or arm to grab onto.

-Avoid correcting puppy nipping by smacking puppies on the nose, closing their mouths with hands, pushing them away or alpha rolling them. This may trigger biting, but this time, no longer out of play, but defensively.

-Redirect your puppy to an alternate activity any time you see him approaching you with the intent to bite. Carry balls in your pocket or a tug toy or a stuffed Kong to shift his focus.

-Ask your puppy to target your hands rather than bite them. When he targets your hand, toss a kibble across the room. Repeat several timers.

-Encourage brain games and fun games such as hide-and-seek as outlined in the brain training for dogs section.

-Get your border collie puppy used to handling (having his ears touched, paws touched, coat brushed) by creating positive associations with treats. Every time you touch your puppy, feed him a treat until he seems to tolerate handling better. Practice often.

-Border collies (as other active dog breeds) have many needs! Provide ample opportunities for training, play, socialization and mental stimulation.

-Puppy classes offer a good opportunity to train your puppy manners and how to properly interact with other dogs and people.

-When all of your border collie's needs are met and he keeps nipping, consider that he may just be cranky and in need of a nap. Provide him with a dark quiet area to rest with a safe chew toy. Chances are, he'll chew the toy a bit and then fall soundly asleep.

 

If you search puppy biting or puppy nipping in the search bar of this forum you will find many others dealing with similar issues and lots of other tips and ideas.

Edited March 11, 2019 by Adrienne Farricelli

[haaks]

Thanks this was helpful. My puppy (just over four months) has just started doing this - jumping up and grabbing at my arm. Thankfully it’s winter jacket season; but he’s mostly German shepherd so I definitely want him to stop now while he’s a manageable size!

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hello Haaks,

Welcome to the forums,

It's very wise to start working this early so to "nip" the behavior in the bud. Here are some games that turned handy with a super nippy German shepherd:

 

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/archive/bite-inhibition-games/