first time puppy owner-advice please

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aro

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I finally took the plunge and got an 8 week old collie x puppy last week. He has just had his first vaccination this week so at the moment is confined the the house/garden. Once he is able to go out afer his vaccinations I intend to take him to the stables to socialise with other dogs and will also be taking him to puppy trainig classess.

My problem is that over the past few days he has started nipping and when i tell him off he sometimes growls and then jumps up and nips again. He will also grab sleeves etc (i am not sure if he thinks this is a game or if he is trying to be the dominant one over me). I don't want him to grow up thinking this is acceptable behaviour. Was wondering if anybody has any tips on how to nip this behaviour in the bud now.

This is my first puppy so is a bit of a learning curve!
 
It is normal puppy play behaviour but you do certainly need to start and shape that behaviour, ignore the bad and encourage the good or reward/reprimand.
Some will add a "squeal" in order to shock him into stopping and looking rather baffled at you:D or in the thought that he thinks he has hurt you, Im not one for this but the 1st makes the most sense that he stops at the alarmed sounds that comes from you and it re routes his thoughts/stops the behaviour for that instance atleast:D
Some will say, remove yourself immediately as a negative enforcer i.e, he wants your attention (you take it away until he displays the type of behaviour you will particiapte in)
I personally give a tap on the backside, as a sharp shock and a "no" the same as I would if one sibling puppy is plaguing another:D
You do need to encourage play, but more through toys/ragy ropes, chase/fetch rather than offer up hands, he also needs things to chew and nibble on.
I have a puppy guide if you feel it would help and you would like a read, including puppy play and teething. (Pm me your email addy) if you would like one.
Aslo get him out before his vax, just keep him up of the ground, get him used to the sights and sounds of the world and riding in the car.
 
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Thanks for the advice i will have a go at the tips you have given. He has got loads of toys and his favourite is a rope he like to chew. When he has been nipping i have been trying to distract him with this which usually works. I am going to try a firm no and ignoring him when he does it again and really reward his good behaviour when he doesn't nip. Hopefully he will start to get the message!

He has been in the car a few times when I have been to see my parents and friends and seems to be getting used to this. I would love to read the puppy guide and I will PM you as soon as I figure out how to do it!
 
Congratulations on your new pup! I had a collie x once, he was a rescue dog but turned into the most loyal, intelligent and faithful dog anyone could ever wish for.
Puppies DO nip - they don't have hands so they explore things with their mouths. That doesn't mean it's acceptable though:p When our spaniel was a pup we just walked away when she got too rough and nipping.
Have you got a crate? We found ours absolutely invaluable last year when Purdey was a pup. I would totally recommend one.
Good luck with your pup :D
 
Yes he has a crate and goes in this on a night when we go to bed. He has been really good through the night so far and hasn't been keeping us up at all. I love collie's as my gran took in a stray when I was little and I have loved them ever since. Mine also came from a rescue as they were an unwanted. I am quite surprised how much he has grown in just a week.
 
We tried the squealing thing - we got told that it was almost like their mother squealing when they nipped her - our GSD stopped immediately and cocked her head then started to kiss our hand! :)
little tap and NO works too though. As does removing their focus.
It just depends on the owner :)
K x
 
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