Please help with my GS puppy nipping us!

[ohnoudidnt]

We love her to bits,and I have bought her lots of different chews ,teethers,toys etc but still she insists on nipping our feet,clothing,hands even hair! I have tried...
Saying ouch and ignore for 30 secs and leaving the room.
Making a loud noise (whistle).
I have tried saying a calm firm no! but nothing is working.
I want to do things right for her, but im just running out of ideas,and need help fast as it really hurts! Is this normal? Would puppy classes help ?She is a GS btw.Thanks
Also any other tips would be appreciated!

It is completely normal, but something you need to keep in check. Those teeth are pin-like!

Nipping while playing needs to result in no fun at all.....closed expression, arms folded do not look at her. I have used an over acting "ouuuch" or a low short "achhh" in the past, sometimes the higher pitch makes them giddy.

Also the shepherds we have had used to nip at ankles and trousers, and we deal with this by walking slowly to reduce the fun element and also you can practise recall/close walking with a small toy to take the attention from ankles to you.

You do need to make sure everyone is totally consistent though. I bet she is as cute as a pie :o

Puppy classes are essential as they need to learn bite inhibition and this is learned by playing with other dogs.

Also check out Ian Dunbar on bite inhibition (he has a great website) for other bite inhibition tips.

Thanks for the great advice!
I will find out about puppy classes she after has had her 2nd visit to the vet.She is too cute! Catsmamma

Normal but give a short reaction when it hurts such as ouch ! loudly xx

When she bites flesh you need to teach her bite inhibition, it's an extremely useful thing for her to learn:

Offer your hand and hope she bites, as soon as she does squeel in a very high pitched voice as if it's the end of the world, but do NOT remove your hand. If you remove your hand she may well chase it and think it's a game, which is not the right message. Leave your hand there and wait, if she bites again repeat. You should notice her ears prick and maybe her head turn side-ways as she tries to 'figure you out'. In her mind she only played with you and you gave a completely exaggerated reaction but she needs to learn that you are really precious and she has to be very careful with her teeth.

If she bites clothes, objects, etc. distract her with a piece of food or a very interesting toy. Also work on a 'leave it' command.

Ideally you should take her to puppy socialisation and training classes as soon as possible, the first few weeks are absolutely crucial.

Yes lots of good advice on here I would second the noise when she does it I used a loud and sudden sharp aa which worked with my GS. It takes time be patient you couldn't have picked a better breed in my opinion. If you are still struggling it might be an idea to go back to the breeder for help or GS group they will have lots of experience. Good luck don't give up she?he will be fab in time just like mine. :)

My dog was very stubborn as a pup. Plus she is a sheepdog, so had the instinct to nip around the ankles. When she would nip, I would just put my hand on top of her mouth and close it. No sound, no attention. And if I was talking with someone else, I would continue the conversation without paying attention to my dog. And if she continued nipping, the hold on her mouth was a fraction longer each time. She quickly learned that it was no fun and stopped. Now, even when we are cuddled or she is getting delicious touchies, she keeps her mouth shut. So I don't have to look at sharp canines close-up

The stuff about saying ouch never worked for my dog, she thought it was some kind of game and would up the ante. I guess every dog is different and reacts to different types of cues.