Persistent Nipping

Question
I have an 11 month old Golden Retriever mix who I adopted from a shelter when she was 8 weeks old.  She has always chewed and nipped at me no matter what I've tried to do to break her of this bad habit.  Recently she has started jumping on the sofa when I sit down, puts her paw on my shoulder and starts nipping at me until I get up so she can take it over.  If I move to the love seat, she takes it over, too.  I have tried the yelping littermate trick and ignoring her, but she doesn't stop.  I have tried spraying her with water, vinegar and sour apple -- she likes the way it tastes.  I have tried smacking her on the nose, chucking her under the chin and holding her muzzle -- these tactics just make her mad and more determined.  I guess I'm lucky that she doesn't actually bite hard because I know how strong her jaws are, but she's never broken the skin; however, I've got lots of bruises on my arms and legs.  

I can't afford a personal dog trainer and I won't give up on her.  If you have any behavior modification suggestions that don't involve hurting her but will make her respect my authority, I would be forever in your debt.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Linda,

Thank you for writing to me.  I can give you some pointers but when it comes to aggressive behavior, I like to refer people to specialists in this area.  Therefore, I am sending you to the following page of behavorial experts:

http://www.allexperts.com/el/Canine-Behavior/

Start with Jill Connor who specializes in aggression and if you feel you want further direction, go down the list and get a variety of opinions. I am sure that they will overlap with similiar suggestions.

In the meantime, do not allow the situation to escalate.  Do not challenge the aggression. Start with simple alpha work, meaning that your dog works for everything.  In order to eat, your dog will have to sit.  If she won't sit, then put the food away.  Take it out again 10 minutes later and try it again.  Keep doing this and if she won't sit and wait for the food and for your "ok" command then she misses dinner!!  She won't starve.

Work with treats throughout the day and practice sit, down, stay etc.Give the commands only ONCE!

Make her sit before entering a room, before going outside (you go out first while she sits), etc.

If necessary, leash her to a piece of furniture or door knob and she only gets her freedom if she behaves.  

DO NOT LET HER UP ON FURNITURE!!!  Not on the couch, not on the bed, nothing.  Leash her if she starts nipping at you.  Do not challenge her...just quietly put the leash on her, bring her to her "place" and leave her there for 30 minutes.

The whole point of all this is to put you in charge, not your dog.  Dogs relate to the pecking order of the pack and to the pack leader.  YOU must be the pack leader.  Only by doing this can you gain her respect.

Never hit her or grab her in any aggressive type of way.  That can only produce fear and the aggression might escalate.  The best pack leader is cool, calm and collected..and very confident.  Your dog will sense the changes in you.  She might even challenge you but don't dispair.  Things will change for the better.

You might also want to watch a program on Animal Planet called "it's me or the dog."  It's really excellent and you can learn a lot about dog behavior.

Best of luck,
Shelley Davis