Baby Bernese Banshee- Please advise - Dog Forum

luvx2 · 06-10-2008, 04:22 AM

We love our new girl- 7 mo. old Berner. We have only had her about a month. We do have an older (8yrs) male shep/chow mix in the house who we've had for 2 yrs. They get along pretty well although the male is a rescue and has been slow to jump into the whole socialization thing- but he has been good with her- he is the alpha and she is ok with that.She has actually really helped to chill him out around other dogs and strangers. She too is a rescue- she was abandoned twice before we found her.

Now on to her issues- 1) Constant nipping and biting at the leash- and whoever is trying to put it on her. Ah-Ah doesn't work, she will sit and/or lay, but tips her head back and nips anyway. When I do finally get it on- she insists on carrying it in her mouth, unless she is doing her business so to speak. How do we curb these behaviors? Are they normal? The leash I can handle more than the nipping. The only time she won't do the nipping it is if I've woken her from a dead sleep to wizz.

Issue #2) Just today started whining-Then barking. I didn't get it b/c we were all in the same room. She has just been outside and we were all about 3 feet from each other...????

She goes down well at night, but is a nutball in the morning. Ignoring and turning away has had little effect. When she does get quiet and I turn to her- she goes crazy again.

Issue 3: Sometimes- mostly when she is on her back- I see her front right paw - shaking...I'm worried about her.

Any advice appreciated- we love her dearly, but want to make sure her manners are better than our big papa's. Although he does everything we say now that she's in the picture

Thanks in advance.

DoggyMom · 06-10-2008, 07:42 AM

Let me try to give my opinion issue by issue

Issue 1: You could try teaching her a "leave it" command for the leash. When she tries to bite the leash, just gently push her away (you can do it with your hand cupped lightly around the muzzle) and say "leave it!" With repitition, she should get it. You could try this command as you put the leash on her. If she starts to nip, say "leave it!" and pull it away. When she is quiet, try putting it on her again.

Issue 2: She might be barking for attention, that's all I can think of from what you said. Or perhaps she wants to go back out? That's a tricky one. As for her getting crazy on you, (my Lily used to jump on me a lot as well) I would turn my back, and actually walk away. Perhaps once she realizes "hey, she goes away each time I do that" perhaps she will stop.

Issue 3: Is she sleeping on her back when her paw is shaking? My dog's front paws twitch when she is relaxed or sleeping. If it does concern you greatly, I would ask a vet.

Good luck with her. Keep us posted on how she does

sagira · 06-11-2008, 04:51 PM

Don't have any advice to give, but I have a soft spot for Berners

Do you have a pic?

I would own one if I didn't live in a state that never gets really cold..

06-10-2008, 04:22 AM	#1
luvx2 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1	Baby Bernese Banshee- Please advise We love our new girl- 7 mo. old Berner. We have only had her about a month. We do have an older (8yrs) male shep/chow mix in the house who we've had for 2 yrs. They get along pretty well although the male is a rescue and has been slow to jump into the whole socialization thing- but he has been good with her- he is the alpha and she is ok with that.She has actually really helped to chill him out around other dogs and strangers. She too is a rescue- she was abandoned twice before we found her. Now on to her issues- 1) Constant nipping and biting at the leash- and whoever is trying to put it on her. Ah-Ah doesn't work, she will sit and/or lay, but tips her head back and nips anyway. When I do finally get it on- she insists on carrying it in her mouth, unless she is doing her business so to speak. How do we curb these behaviors? Are they normal? The leash I can handle more than the nipping. The only time she won't do the nipping it is if I've woken her from a dead sleep to wizz. Issue #2) Just today started whining-Then barking. I didn't get it b/c we were all in the same room. She has just been outside and we were all about 3 feet from each other...???? She goes down well at night, but is a nutball in the morning. Ignoring and turning away has had little effect. When she does get quiet and I turn to her- she goes crazy again. Issue 3: Sometimes- mostly when she is on her back- I see her front right paw - shaking...I'm worried about her. Any advice appreciated- we love her dearly, but want to make sure her manners are better than our big papa's. Although he does everything we say now that she's in the picture Thanks in advance.

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06-10-2008, 07:42 AM	#2
DoggyMom Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Banos, CA Posts: 499	Let me try to give my opinion issue by issue Issue 1: You could try teaching her a "leave it" command for the leash. When she tries to bite the leash, just gently push her away (you can do it with your hand cupped lightly around the muzzle) and say "leave it!" With repitition, she should get it. You could try this command as you put the leash on her. If she starts to nip, say "leave it!" and pull it away. When she is quiet, try putting it on her again. Issue 2: She might be barking for attention, that's all I can think of from what you said. Or perhaps she wants to go back out? That's a tricky one. As for her getting crazy on you, (my Lily used to jump on me a lot as well) I would turn my back, and actually walk away. Perhaps once she realizes "hey, she goes away each time I do that" perhaps she will stop. Issue 3: Is she sleeping on her back when her paw is shaking? My dog's front paws twitch when she is relaxed or sleeping. If it does concern you greatly, I would ask a vet. Good luck with her. Keep us posted on how she does

06-11-2008, 04:51 PM	#3
sagira Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 6	Don't have any advice to give, but I have a soft spot for Berners Do you have a pic? I would own one if I didn't live in a state that never gets really cold..