Greta just got her nose popped.

mehpenn

That earned her a hearty pop on the nose.

 Maybe when you're working long days you could come home and give her a quick walk around the block to chill her out a bit.

 Our neighborhood is horrible for dog walks, unless you want to be eaten by loose dogs. But Aesop and Grimm are sent out to the yard to run off their zoomies when they have their crazy moments. Our yard is fairly good sized, so Grimm is good about encouraging Aesop to run around like a loon out there.

Spazzy

mehpenn

That earned her a hearty pop on the nose.

Instead of offering an "indifferent" smiley, why don't you offer some constructive criticism?

To me, it sounds like she was over-stimulated, excited, and under-exercised. And she was demanding attention with the nip. Maybe some NILIF would help. And, next time your working longer than usual, burn off some steam with her before you get on your computer, if possible, or, give her something (kong, fun ball, etc) to work.

Thank you Stephanie.

There is never a reason to hit a dog - there are always better answers than that.  Please visit the Training section if you need help.

 I'm wondering why you didn't give her any attention. After all you had been gone for 8 hours, which according to you is not the norm.

I guess I should clarify... it wasn't a slap, or a hit, or anything that would hurt her. I'd not do that. It was a pop on the nose. There is a difference between a pop and a hit. And I will admit the term "hearty" was used a bit overzealously. I don't even whip my kids, why would I do it to my dogs?

I'd already tried to redirect her. I'd already given her the "space" command, which she ignored. That's something we've been working on, as she's bad to be in my face all the time.

She'd already been out running around for a while, longer than a normal potty break, to burn off some of the energy, since she felt the need to almost knock me over going out the door.

And she'd already gotten more attention than she normlly does right when  I come in. We have a routine and things are done in order. Today I was working late, so the routine got started later.

I know she was excited and glad I was home. I know our routine was off. But that doesn't mean I'll accept that kind of behavior.

I did take her for a good walk this evening and give her a good brushing, some special bond, one on one time.  But like I said before, I will not tolerate being nipped at. She nips me, I "nip"  back just like a pack leader would have done.  I guess I could have leaned over and actually nipped her nose............

 Popping on the nose IMHO doesn't demonstrate to the dog what they should do. She was excited, pent up with energy and needed to blow off steam. She hadn't seen you in awhile, and a pop on the nose just states that you get near the human and your going to be hit (regardless of how gentle the pop on the nose is). I know, personally, the first thing I do is snap on the leash and take Ari out. I work from home, but she gets very little attention from me during the day, because I'm working. She's expected to be quiet during the day, because I can't have her harassing me while I'm "on the clock". She knows when I stop working though and immediately goes into "OMG Mom isn't working, PLAY TIME" mode. She's a down right terror if she isn't directed to an appropriate outlet. A walk does us both good - I get to decompress from a day of working and she gets to spend that energy outdoors with me (and rolling in deer poop *sigh*). Afterward, she chills out for a bit, while I make myself dinner. After we both eat, we play a bit inside together. After all that and if I want some non-dog time, she'll go off and curl up with a rawhide or other chew item. The point is though, I make time to spend with her because I know she missed me (and I missed her too!). Yes, Ari can be an obnoxious brat and I will admit to being tempted a time or to for wanting to pop her one, but a pop on the nose sends no clear message to her AND I know she just needs to let off some steam. it's my responsibility (and pleasure) to make sure she gets quality time with me and an appropriate outlet for her energy. A shared walk is my preferred method :) Good for her, good for me and keeps the sanity level in the house firmly in check!

mehpenn

I did take her for a good walk this evening and give her a good brushing, some special bond, one on one time.  But like I said before, I will not tolerate being nipped at. She nips me, I "nip"  back just like a pack leader would have done.  I guess I could have leaned over and actually nipped her nose............

We posted at the same time :) I'll be honest in that I don't really buy into the whole leader of the pack thing. For starters, I really don't think humans can effectively mimic an alpha dog. Dogs are simply much "smarter" about body language and quicker in their reactions times than I think we can hope to be. Also, I don't think it's necessary to demonstrate dominance.  Particularly by demonstrating it with overly physical means. I WILL use physical restraint with Ari, but it's in a more positive manner (calming strokes, soft tone of voice, to calm her). She's a "physical" dog though and she craves contact, so by holding her it actually calms her. This is a matter of knowing my dog. If I were to pop her on the nose however, she'd think it would be a game and it would escalate the behavior I'm trying to redirect.

Ari has been a problem biter since day 1. Popping on the nose, or nipping back (I hope you were joking), IMHO is potentially asking for trouble. For one, it can backfire on you and a simple nip can turn into an escalated bite. Or, you risk having the dog mistrust you or not wish to be near you. For Ari, she gets one chance at her redirects we use (go get X toy, and then we'll play if she does) or a simply "knock it off". If she doesn't listen, she is taken to a crate and left there with a chew until she's calmed down. She doesn't fear the crate, in fact since we've done this routine so long now, she'll often crate HERSELF when she gets obnoxious. It's almost as if she knows she's getting beyond the point of reason with her, so she times herself out. 

I'm not overly routine oriented, and I guess I'm glad of that. There's a typical order to my house, but Ari will go with the flow if things get shaken up a bit. So, I wouldn't know how to address behavior that comes about because of a disruption in routine.

 I would teach her the "wait" command. I had to do that with my Dalmatian to keep her from killing me trying to get out the door when I'd get home. She was trustworthy so she could be left in the house without being crated or gated to a room. I taught her "wait" and seriously after about 2 months of doing "waits" every time at the front/back door, garage door, and gate to the yard she would not cross those entrances or exits until I gave her the ok. I didn't even have to give the "wait" command at those spots.

sambob

I would teach her the "wait" command.

We also use wait when we're in the car. Both boys know they must 'wait' until they have the ok to move out of the car.

I've also worked on an 'enough' command with my boys - where they will go and lay down. I work a LOT of hours (50-60 a week) and my schedule is never the same. I always make sure the first thing we do is go outside for a run after I get home. Both my boys are high energy, and herding dogs. Their breeds are known for nipping. I do not tolerate it, and they do not do it. I've never had to 'pop' my dogs for them to understand that. I would try a bit more of basic training with her, and work on establishing that bond. My boys know when I give a command, no matter what else is going on, it is to be obeyed. I have no problem being verbally stern with my boys, but would never lay a hand on them out of frustration.

 I own a herder and she knows that if teeth come in contact with my skin=GAME OVER! I get up and completely ignore her. Being ignored is a fate worse than death for her. I would never "pop" her on the nose because shes very sensitive to my moods and would completely shut down.

tiffy

 I own a herder and she knows that if teeth come in contact with my skin=GAME OVER! I get up and completely ignore her. Being ignored is a fate worse than death for her. I would never "pop" her on the nose because shes very sensitive to my moods and would completely shut down.

For the first 4 months of Cher's life with us, she would chew her way, piranha style, up my arm when released from her crate.  She would, literally, dangle off of my arm by her mouth.  Never did the thought of "popping" her enter my mind.  What did enter my mind was "Wow, she really lacks self control, & she gets overstimulated very easily.  I need to work on that."  That's what I did, & now, even when she's overstimulated, she knows not to chew her way up my arm.

I tend to treat my kids & dogs very similarly.  If my kids are being annoying, it means that they are bored & don't have enough to do.  If my dogs are being annoying, it is generally because they are bored & need something to do.  Instead of smacking either the kids or dogs, I find them something to do so that they are not in my hair.

BEVOLASVEGAS

I tend to treat my kids & dogs very similarly.  If my kids are being annoying, it means that they are bored & don't have enough to do.  If my dogs are being annoying, it is generally because they are bored & need something to do.  Instead of smacking either the kids or dogs, I find them something to do so that they are not in my hair.

 

mehpenn

But like I said before, I will not tolerate being nipped at. She nips me, I "nip"  back just like a pack leader would have done.  I guess I could have leaned over and actually nipped her nose............

This smacks (no pun intended) of an "eye for an eye".  You're not going to get the behavior you want when you "nip" back.  Please take the advice you've gotten here.  Explore more of the training threads.  Start your own thread if you want help in learning how to implement better ways.