Nipping

[Rai]

My darling Pembroke, Remmy, can be a real sweetheart most of the time. However, recently he he has picked up the nasty habit of barking at people and then jumping up at them to nip at their hands or thighs. This usually only occurs when he feels that someone is threatening me, or when someone speaks too loudly or moves too quickly. For example, if my brother or boyfriend playfully hits my arm or something, he will bark and possibly nip at the offender. Or, there was a time when one of my friends skidded around the corner on our tile floor and he barked at her and jumped up to nip her in the thigh.

What can I do to discourage this? Your help is much appreciated.

[Jane Austen]

I have a similar problem lately with Duchess. she seems to have a game, we thought of hitting others with her nose when she was anxious. But lately I am concerned she will start to do some harm. When she does this I try to have her sit and calm down. I don't understand why she would behave this way.

[Michael Romanos]

Hi
If your Corgis are feeling stress, anxiety and protectiveness and their behavioural responses to this are over-the-top, then they need to be checked right now before it gets worse and among other things, give Corgis a bad reputation.

You must re-introduce with them a consistent & persistent check, praise & reward methodology ie at the moment of an indiscretion, firm jerk of a very lightweight chocker chain, a sharply but controlled NO or something they know means NO and when they comply, praise/pat a lot and give a treat reward.

In the meantime, keep your Corgi under strict control and have them avoid any contact which you don't feel is completely safe and neutral. Remember you are your Corg's guardian to keep away from harm or the cause of harm.

Corgis should not be intimidating or aggressive towards non-threatening humans nor compliant dogs and other animals.