In Reply to: Should this be discouraged? posted by Michelle on April 13, 1999 at 14:54:40:

: Yes, I think it should be discouraged.

I have a male, who as a youngster used to chase and wrestle (attack) your fingers/hands. And you're right, it WAS dam cute, and it DIDNT hurt because he had baby jaw strength.

But now, as an adult, he has become aggressive and the "play fighting" is now "pit-bull biting" periodically resulting in blood shed (mine) and often without any obvious provocation.

I still love him and handle him regularly, its just that we cant be as "carefree" in our play time as we used to -- Now we have to be careful not to send him into attack mode.

I have three other sg and wont promote hand wrestling for fear that they too will become aggressive. On the other hand, I have read posts where sg have learned the "limit" on how far/hard they can bit their humans and still have fun.

I would still like to discourage you from teaching/encouraging this behavior. You never know how far/hard she'll take this "fun", who she might try it on or how that person may take it (they might not think its so cute or fun)

Best wishes
TammyH

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