Biting me!

[Lovette's Kara]

Queenie was named for her demanding nature... she'll tell you where to go if she's not happy with you, and is more than willing to push me aside. But, I have a bit of an issue that cannot be tolerated: BITING.

Once she feels she's tolerated my presence for long enough, she will nip my hand. She hasn't broken skin yet, but she does bite me if my hand is too close to her for too long. She already knows they are fingers and not treats and they probably taste like soap or hand sanitizer, so it's not like they are tasty...

I have never had a biting chin before, all mine might taste me now and again, but it's never been an issue. I have tried making noises when she bites, like a hissing sound (doesn't phase her) and I tried spaying my hands with bitter apple and sour grape I bought for my cats, but I think she ended up liking it... :hair: Does anyone have some better ideas?:hmm:

 

[addictedtochins]

I see she is new in your home. Give her some time and maybe a little distance. I'm sure she'll get better.

 

[Huffnpoof]

Autumn does this too when she feels she's been held to long and would like to get down. The best thing you can do, IMHO, is to not react at all when she does this. If you react by backing away, then you've just trained her that biting you will get you to go away. This means she will be more likely in the future to bite when she wants you to back off. Wear gloves for this if you have to. Instead, you can teach her another method for telling you that she's had enough. It's very important again IMO, that you leave her some door of communication that she doesn't want to be touched. Does she try to push you away with her paws at all? Maybe if she touches you with her paw, immediatly close the cage door and leave her along. She'll learn that pushing you with her paw will get you to leave, and biting will get a neutral responce (you don't back away). When she wants you to go in the future, she'll be more likely to push you with her paw because that's what's going to get the results she wants.

 

[proudmom25]

I have a couple of chins that will push me away with their little paws. But I am sure if I continued to play with them after they did that then they would nip too. I would be more concerned if she were breaking skin. Seems like she is just telling you to back off.

Give her some time and space. Not all chins are the same.

 

[Cuddlebug]

I agree with huffnpoof. Don't back down when she bites. I've had chins who bit really bad in the past. They all stopped when I started wearing leather gloves and quit backing down. The suggestion about backing off when she pushes your had is a good one, too.

 

[Lovette's Kara]

Thank you for your replies! I shall give her time and try what you suggested!