I'm confused

[Sarah16]

Hi,
Please could someone give me a bit of advice. Mollie is now 15 weeks old and is settling in well, my query is with nipping/biting. When she nips or bites when playing we stop playing with her and walk away for a few moments. What I'm confused about is that she also bites when drying her with a towel, brushing her coat, removing her from the settee or off the table when we have said no. I have tried to distract her with a toy or making funny noices but it doesn't work. Maybe I'm being silly and not thinking straight but how do I get her off the sofa or side table without her biting me and if she does, I can't ignore her because she then thinks its ok to jump on the sofa and side table.  . With the grooming and drying with the towel, I've tried giving a treat or toy and praise her but she just wants to nip me everytime I try.

Mollie is a bit of a live wire, she is always on the go, I try to keep her play sessions short so not to overstimulate her, but play on and off all day with her so she doesn't get bored.

We have started puppy socialisation classes and she was so bouncy the trainer told me that she is very strong willed and I need to be firm and make sure she gets enough play and training each day.

At the moment she is sitting on my feet like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth while I type after two and a half hours of none stop energy . By the way she is working cocker.

Sorry I have waffled on a bit, any advice would be great.

Thanks

[debbie321]

My best tip that I had was to invest in a house line (thanks Mark)!  Moving Ben is so much easier if he has this trailing line on.  If he is in the mood NOT to move - I just take the end and lead him away without being challanged or bitten.  If I go for his collar I'm in 'mouthing reach' - the lead avoids this 

Do you clicker train?  Another good weapon for Ben!  I get the clicker out and he wonders what he has to do for the click and treat! 

The best of luck with you and your worker Mollie!  They are very challanging but very rewarding when you know what buttons to press    I'm still learning with Ben and hes now .............................. errr 20 months! 

[CraftySam]

It does sound like you are doing all the right things.

When it comes to doing things like grooming, or getting her off the sofa and she's trying to mouth you I think you have to give her a firm No.

I'd keep going with trying to get her off things by getting her to follow a toy or treat and as she gets down, give her the "off" or "down" command which ever you use and praise her as she comes down.

She is being a puppy. Puppies tend to have varying degrees have behaviour. Some mouth/bite alot but are good at toilet training and/or obedience training. Where as others, like my Morgan, stop mouthing almost straight away after starting the training but are useless at toilet training. It tends to be swings and roundabouts.

Keep doing what you are doing and it will pay dividends, it might just take a while. She's still very young.