Questionhi! my husband and i just got our first mini one week ago. we also have 2 dogs. we are house breaking our baby currently and she is doing pretty good... still has some work, but she's getting it. she is outside for several hours of the day, but occasionally comes in with the rest of the family (my husand, 2 dogs and I!) and LOVES it! she even whinnies at the door when it's getting too cold for her outside. that information is just to give you a little background.
anyway, my question is: she keeps nipping or trying to bite a lot of people that touch her. they are just petting her, so i'm not really sure what her problem is. also, when i'm leading her, sometimes (not all the time) she will pull back on the lead and not let me take her any further. i tickle her hind end to no avail and sometimes i just have to push her bottom to get her moving. how can i train her to lead?
also, how can i present myself as "the boss"... she is very loved, but not overly spoiled.... we do discpline (not punish) her.
she is 3 months old and has been weaned from her mother for 3-4 weeks at this point.
AnswerSorry to take so long to answer you. As far as the nipping even at the young age they will bite. It needs to be stopped quickly and the way I handle that is when they nip(I set them up to nip me) I take their upper lip and twist it quite hard and tell them no bite! Loudly. It may take a couple of times but it has always worked for my babies. Your other issue of leading is common in babies. I take a soft cotton lead rope a long one and you make a loop at the end of it long enough to fit over butt above the legs then tie a knot there you then put that lead rope through the noseband on the side you would lead take both leadlines in your hand and gently pull the two together. Even one good step is worth praising and praise goes a long way with these little guys.It will take awhile to train to lead but they will get the hang of it. Good luck never had a house horse before! Melissa
