Dog Community

Nose-nipper

Posted : 12/24/2006 2:36:38 PM

We have a rescue dog, a chihuahua-terrier mix (?), Caesar. One year unknown or as a dumpster dog, two months at the SPCA (including a month to get over mange), five months now with us. He has two deformed front paws which make it a bit tough for him to walk long distances on rough or hard surfaces, but he does well on grass and has no problem around the house. Well behaved, well mannered dog.

Caesar will "nip" your nose when you pick him up. Sometimes along with licking your nose and your face. We see this as a sign of affection, he doesn't do it to strangers. By "nipping", I mean that he will take your nose in his mouth, but he does not bite down. Similar to picking up a cotton ball.

I don't see this as a problem - what do you think?

Chuffy

Posted : 12/24/2006 2:55:15 PM

Absolutely no idea. Never seen it. I don't pick dogs up that way, but then I'd struggle with mine [

]

Debbie R

Posted : 12/27/2006 7:03:12 AM

My female does that too, but only w/ me when I am playing w/ her, and she has the softest mouth, so I really think it is a sign of affection w/ her but really don't know.

Nicole Wilde

Posted : 12/28/2006 6:33:52 PM

You might want to consider whether Caeser is doing this because he is a bit intimidated/uncomfortable about being picked up. Many small dogs are. As an experiment, instead of bending down to pick him up with your face over his, get him to jump up on a couch or chair, then without bending over him, gently pick him up. Does he still do the nose-nipping behavior? (If you don't want him to be on a couch/chair, then stoop down next to him, pet him first (not over the head), then while squatting next to him, gently lift him without bending over him.) He may be doing this to you and not strangers because he's not quite confident enough to tell strangers he's not comfortable, yet he is with you. Please post if you try this, what the outcome is.

Take care,
Nicole

spiritdogs

Posted : 12/28/2006 7:46:51 PM

I agree. The lip-licking could simply be an appeasement behavior (that we humans like to think of as kissing [

]) Sometimes dogs aren't crazy about the stuff that we "primates" do, like picking them up, or hugging them. (Ever notice how a dog turns his head away when you hug?)

Lou Liro

Posted : 2/4/2007 12:35:32 PM

Nicole's post made me think, "Hmmm, maybe that's what his reaction is...". Tried less-intimidating ways of picking him up, bending over, from sitting position. Mixed reaction. Sometimes nip, sometimes not, although "sometimes not" leads me to believe Nicole has a good point. I have noticed that if I lay on the ground to play with the chichis (~level playing field from their perspective, I know, I know, I'm still much bigger than them...), Caesar will still do this. I HAVE noticed that if I try to hug or snuggle him, he will nip, although it is still very gentle, maybe a warning to a friend.

I'm coming to the conclusion that there is more than one trigger for this, some of which may be "defensive", but some are still spontaneous, maybe analagous to shaking hands when you meet someone. Still just a curious behavior, nothing negative.