Syrian Discipline (?)

[*Thistle's_Daddy*]

Hi everyone this is my first thread (woo!) so sorry I'd it's a little off. I've been ham-sitting my sisters Syrian (Female Golden Shorthaired) who likes to explore and she has a habit of trying to jump off the settee. It's not the highest but we don't want her going under it as catching her is a pain. Anyway, to the point. Every time I stop her from trying to get to the floor, she gives me a little nip, but doesnt draw blood. I was wondering if there is anyway I can train her to stop biting me? I sometimes tap her gently on the nose but it doesn't seem to work... any suggestions? Thanks

[souffle]

She obviously has a mind of her own. Syrian's always seem to think the other side of the room is always so much more interesting.
I don't really think they learn to be honest that they cannot go there but you should be able to stop her from nipping. Can you pick her up from above so that her nose is under the heel of you hand and therefore she can't get anything to bite on? We sometimes blow gently on the nose and say no but I'm not sure how effective that is really!
They are always going to want to go and explore and she sounds like a livewire so amusing her in other ways with cushions to climb over and blankets to wiggle under may keep her occupied while you enjoy her company!

[vanilla-yazoo]

I find persistance, if she goes to the edge pick her up and move her, I was bitten once in this way by my nancy, coincidentally a sh golden too, but she soon learnt not to, picking her up, a loud no, a tap on the nose, even a short sharp blow on the nose can be good diterants.
if this is really bad ild not let her out for free roam for a while, just 5 mins handling only, pop her home, a treat can be offered, keep doing this till she is 200% fine with you touching her all over, lifting, 'grabbing', get her as used to your hands around her as possible. from there allow smaller amounts of roaming, like on your lap whilst sat down, walking up your arms/ body, but never off you. once you know she is able to be lifted and stopped at any point when roaming on you, you can let her walk on the sofa, she shouldnt bite then.
she sounds a determined lady! ours free roam on the bed as we have a bigger chance of getting them before the edge (except the robo.. heck im not that fast!)

hope she settles soon mr.bobtail

[kyrilliondaemon]

Yeah we find we can't stop our syrians trying to do things but if we get a nip we work on taming more before letting the ham free range there (or do that thing) again. Scamp is perfectly tame but still wants to explore off the end of the bed and we restrict where Fwirl goes to avoid situations where she will nip. When she's fully tame we'll let her do as she likes, but until then we're avoiding situations she might nip in.

Good luck with her, and on an unrelated note you definetly chose an awesome pic of Thistle to have as your avatar

[*Thistle's_Daddy*]

Thanks I'll work on taming her more before she comes back out then and yeah, that's my Thistle to a tee

[student1304]

My chinese dwarf nipped, and everytime he did it, he went back in his cage. Sounds mean, but it didn't take him long to realise that nipping meant no play time. Now he doesn't nip at all

[vanilla-yazoo]

student 1304, that can work both ways, he might 'want' to return home. if he gives you a nip and gets put back it can result in him thinking 'i have had enough now, nip, take me home'
it can work both ways, but if bitten I make sure to have them out for a good min or so longer, and if i dont get bitten, then i tell them they where good and put them back, and repeat, so they dont get the idea of biting gets them back to their home.

[fluffymunchkins]

I have a nippy little man, Squirt is always quick to tell me when hes not happy about something!
Its usually only when I've been holding him for a few minutes and he wants to be put down. I don't see a need to discipline as its just how he is, he still allows me to to pick him up briefly and on his good days I can get a quick cuddle
My syrian also easily gets fustrated (chattering teeth) if he can't get to somewhere he wants to go, but hes never nipped me because of it.

I think she probably just doesn't see your hand as part of you, rather an obstacle in her way. Pups are often like this before they learn what a hand is. I would avoid putting your hand in front to stop her and scoop her up instead. Otherwise a playpen/box might be an easier option whilst shes getting tamer x

[student1304]

I see your point. But luckily my little guy seems to want to be out, so it worked for him, But then again if they're nipping because they've had enough playtime it's quite a good indication.
With my little guy it could partly just be as he has grown tamer, I'm quite glad he's stopped because I thought at one point that he would always be a little nipper.

[mangoandmimi]

Topaz is rather nippy too, and has been for as long as i've had her. So i restrict her to a playpen and just get her out with a cup, i've tried countless times getting her used to me but i've just had to accept that hands near her are acceptable on her terms only
Sapphire went through a nippy stage a few weeks ago, not that they hurt, but it's offputting when you want a cuddle with them and end up flinching constantly.. miraculously, after a week of double cuddle doses, she was back to normal