Now that the topic has been moved into more of a “human” aspect…I’ll simply relate my experiences in that matter. I stand by my views concerning other DOGS.
I’ll just say, I have seen more ridgebacks ruined by such rigid opinions of “biting” a human and correcting that, than the taking of a more relaxed approach. It truly comes down to what each person thinks of as a “bite.”
In my opinion, in such an open forum, there is no “pat” answer because every puppy is different, every line is different, and quite frankly PEOPLE are different.
Puppies use their mouths…it is how they learn. I can go out in a yard with 10 seven week old puppies, and they ALL nip at my legs, they unfortunately can tear my “lounge pants” because teeth get caught and they simply rip fabric. Do I “turn on them” and exert “my dominance” because I am annoyed they have ripped my pants? I guess I CAN, but are they LEARNING anything, except for the fact I am “being mean” for something they may not understand?
The whole aspect with very young puppies, BEFORE they go to their new homes and learning bite inhibition is very subtle, and it ISN’T a pat answer.
With older puppies, likewise, it is also subtle, and it requires knowing the background of those puppies. Throwing a 4 month old puppy on the ground and screaming at it for a nip that YOU might think is a dominant act, when the puppy itself had no “ill-intent” can be extremely detrimental to that puppy. It is easy to get in your head when someone (likely your breeder or dog club fellow member) says that any “teeth on skin” is a “bite” and must be “dealt with.”
Yes, teaching bite inhibition, and YES, teaching certain things about mouthing are important, but some of the “techniques” I have read about above quite frankly lack a basic understanding of our breed, and of puppies in general.
Just as an example, I have a 10 month old male who has NEVER exhibited a dominant bone in his body, (beyond his earlier puppy antics) but lately, he has it in his mind when I am walking down the hallway or going to the kitchen, etc, that he thinks it is “fun” to grab my arm in his teeth, with little or no pressure. OH MY GAWD…he is trying to “dominate me!” I guess I should throw him on his back and scream and glare at him right?
No…in my mind, ABSOLUTELY NOT! He’s simply an active young puppy, testing out some weird little game in his mind. If I simply ignore THAT game, and engage him in a more appropriate game, I have preserved his pro-active nature, and certainly don’t terrorize him into thinking engaging in “self-thought” is horrible.
There is a huge difference in how you “protect” them from other dogs and how you “protect” or train them with people, and with people, it is a matter of an innate ability to read intent…and an innate ability to read the signs and act appropriately and not give into “pat” answers.
Just my opinion,
Shara
