Nipping Dobermann

[husonmj]

I have a 15 month old male Dobermann. When we have finished training we play a game. After the game I tell him we are finished and try to leave. His reaction to this is to run up and nip me. He has decided that we have not finished. If I try and catch him to tell him off, he is very happy because he thinks it is a great game to be chased.

This nipping behaviour is worse if the weather is cold or he has not had much attention.

Can anyone give me any advice?

[elzorab]

i would just leave the training place when you finished playind and go to the car or to the box. if he nipps you i would gently but understandable push him away and do not react on his behaviour and go on and ignore him. i wouldn't chase him or try to end the game abruptly.

this method takes its time until it works but in my opinion it is the best.

if you chase him, you give him attention and you enhance this behaviour.
if you hit him, shake him or i don't know what you destroy his wonderful playing drive.

you have to get the feeling how to "abuse" his wonderful playing drive for working with him. like i got to know from your writing, this dog has excellent abilities for work and a wonderful character. ABUSE his playing drive for work. make him believe the work is a wonderful game. make the working be the game and then you will get best results.
you can let the game end in the car for example or in the box. you take the ball or the toy you use in your hand, make him really keen on it, then he will surely follow you, you make him jump into the car or the box, then you give him the toy for some short time, tell him what a wonderful dog he is and then you take it away from him and lock him in the car box etc. or you put him his collar on and go.

i hope i could help you.


bye norbert