Jumping and Nipping

[Polar's Mom]

Our 8 month old Polar likes to jump.. alot. No matter who else is around she seems to focus her attention on me, jumping right up to my face and nipping at me. I don't think she's trying to hurt me, but it's frustrating and does hurt. If I run, she'll chase me, jump and nip at the back of my arm. If I bend down to her level (so that she doesn't jump) she nips at my hands.

Once I've been out with her for a few minutes she calms down... but I really want to stop this from happening. I feel like I'm constantly yelling at her to stop and she's just not listening.

I've tried to yell Off, turn around and ignore her but that doesn't seem to faze her. Someone told us to put her leash on and when she jumps, to step on her leash so she's forced all the way down on her tummy. I did this a few times, but feel it's a little cruel. I realize pits love to jump and want to encourage her to do so... just not onto me. And the biting has got to stop. With all these people so afraid of pits right now, I'm terrified that she might 'playfully' nip at someone and it will get blown out of proportion.

Help please!!

[nern]

[color=indigo]Here is a link on bite inhibition:
http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

As for the jumping up on you I would try teaching her to sit when you enter the backyard. If you walk into the yard and she jumps up on you completely ignore her (don't even speak or look at her) and turn around go back into the house. Wait a few minutes and go back out and tell her to sit. When she does gives lots of praise and maybe even a treat. You'll probably have to practice this several times daily before she really gets the idea.[/color]

[BronxthePit]

howdy,

I found teaching your dog "NO!" when they jump on you and "SIT" as an alternative and then alot of praise for sitting instead of jumping combined with a little TIME does the best job.