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Alaskan Malamutes => Alaskan Malamute Pictures => : MRSL November 29, 2006, 11:41:06 PM

: HELLLLP !!!!! nipping my knees
: MRSL November 29, 2006, 11:41:06 PM
Hi all

I have a male 14wk old mal. Now he's a wee gem and I love him to bits.. Only I have one tiny prob . He wont stop nipping mt knees. He only does this when he wants attention or when he's had a telling off. I've tried to squeel and say no !! and turn my back but the more I squeel the more he does it.  Has anyone got any ideas ? my inside thighs are getting it bigtime and they are starting to look like a Dalmations  :'( due to the wee brusies left by my loving lad. 

Thanks
Annie
: Re: HELLLLP !!!!! nipping my knees
: schelmischekitty November 30, 2006, 01:06:38 AM
carry a water bottle with ice water in it, when he does it squirt him in the face, but be careful NOT to give him attention (don't say his name, no is ok, but the name is seen as positive) when you do this.  if it's the attention he wants, this will teach him not to do the nipping, and then just make him sit stay before you give him any attention at any time.  good luck with that!
: Re: HELLLLP !!!!! nipping my knees
: bluskygirl November 30, 2006, 02:14:51 AM
I agree; I would say make sure never to react (I realize this is hard) vocally or physically to this behavior. Ignore it. Since it's designed to get attention, it won't matter to him whether it's negative or positive, and he'll keep doing it. At the same time that you're ignoring the bad behavior, you have to reinforce his other good behaviors. For example, when he's just laying down chewing on something, go over and give him tons of praise and a treat to reinforce the behaviors you like. Best of luck!
: Re: HELLLLP !!!!! nipping my knees
: MRSL December 11, 2006, 07:30:49 AM
Hi I just wanted to give you a quick update on how the nipping is going ... Well the water bottle has been working a treat. ;) He has just about stopped his nips. We now carry the water bottle around with us and he just needs to see the bottle and he stops .. What a great tip thanks .. Now how do I get him to stop chewing his lead .. lol   :D

Cheers
Annie
: Re: HELLLLP !!!!! nipping my knees
: Saint and Mal mom December 11, 2006, 07:52:05 AM
Hey there! Your mal pup sounds just as ornery as my Zoey was as a little Mal. For the leash chewing, lightly snap him on the muzzle with it when he starts to bite it. He'll see that chewing on it earns him nothing good. Try that consistently. Let us know how he's doing!
: Re: HELLLLP !!!!! nipping my knees
: arkydo December 11, 2006, 01:52:49 PM
Arkyd used to follow me and my wife round biting the back of the knees and as above we just stop him in mid-action but instead of the muzzle slap we said a quick "hey" then gave him a quick poke on the side of his neck
he learned quickly this way