Nipping and Aussies

I have a 4.5 month old Australian Shepherd who has started nipping. He also is now chasing bikes and skateboards and groups of kids. All this started when kids returned to school (we have no kids). Today he nipped a crossing guard when we walked by. Almost like he was afraid, but didn't act afraid. Any suggestions on how to handle?

AM

 

Bumping this up. Nipping and aussies go together. I'm heading off to a meeting right now so I won't be able to respond until tomorrow. Maybe Sams can jump in with nipping advce.

Really quickly, though, check out this article: http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

And if you think you are seeing leash aggression or resource guarding, get the books "Dogs are from Neptune", "Mine", and "Feisty Fido". I can provide links later if you need them, or you can do a search on amazon.com.

 

I don't know too much about this stuff, but I have read that it is just part of their behavior because that is what they are bred to do (not nip, but herd and that is how they do it) but you need to correct it before it gets out of hand.

 

NIPPING & AUSSIES

WHILE i KNOW THAT NIPPING IS SEEN AS PART OF THEIR PERSONALITY AND NATURE, IT IS STILL SEEN AS AGRESSION TOWARDS HUMANS AND NOT DESIRABLE.

I HAVE READ A LOT AND READ A LOT OF CONTRADICTORY INFORMATION ON HOW TO SOLVE TEH PROBLEM, SO I AM LOOKING FOR INPUT FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS BEFORE. NONE OF MY OTHER DOGS EVER DID IT!!!!

AM

 

distraction is key I guess. before your dog notices someone else get her attention. I am sure jamiya or Samsintentions can help, maybe send them a pm?

 

I would look at the "Feisty Fido" book. That books talks about training your dog to give you attention when there is a potential problem - like if you pass another dog or person on the street, the dog will look at you instead of nipping at the other dog (or person).

You can also enlist the help of a good behaviorist. Make sure you find one that uses POSITIVE methods. Using aggression to combat aggression only makes things worse.

My pup Nala is a border collie mix and was (is) very mouthy. We had many nipping problems with her. We used bite inhibition training and things like holding her muzzle and calmly telling her NO. Things did seem to improve with age. She still nips sometimes, like if she is kissing you she will nip at ears or nose or chin. We are confident she will calm down more as she matures. She is 16 months old now, but she was around 3.5 months when we got her and she was a devil!

Chasing is also very common for aussies and hard to train out of them, but it can be done. I might contact an aussie rescue or a foster home for an aussie rescue and ask how they deal with it.

I'm waiting for Sams to chime in here...

 

Max had that problem as well when we go him home...it is part of their personality and part of the herding instinct. We broke him of that habit by keeping him on a short lead when walking past people, and telling him 'Manners..use your manners' (my wife's selection of command words...you can use anything as long as it's the same words I understand)

Now he'll sniff them and try to get over to them..but the nipping has stopped!

Good Luck

 

In reply to your nipping problem

:roll: I have a aussy myself and he's 10-months and when gives me kisses he nips me on my lips, I have to tell him no because I don't want him to start nipping or bitting people! I checked several places and its very comon for aussy for doing this so now i know how to deal with this now while he's young! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! keep in contack with me and let me know how its going :y_the_best: aussylover