My dog has learned to not nip me or my family, but we have renters who live in our basement and there are often people in our yard who the dog doesn't know. What can I do to train my dog to not nip or chase strangers?
Thanks for the question. Rocky is right at the adolescent stage and this is when the headstrong Aussie starts to assert themselves and seek direction. Australian Shepherds do well with instruction; in fact, they thrive on having a leader that they can look up to. But, a leader is indeed needed or the Aussie will see fit to take charge. Aussies require obedience training to be happy and well behaved. Remember, they are a working dog by nature and have very keen minds. Take Rocky to Obedience Classes - and if you have already passed the Beginner level, then work toward level 2 all the way through to Advanced. You'll have the smartest and most well behaved dog on the block! The socialization of being in the classes will allow Rocky to get used to strangers. Before you know it, his nipping and desire for dominance will settle. Aussies need lots of mental stimulation (games, chew toys, puzzle toys) to make a well-rounded dog. In the meantime, when you take Rocky outside when strangers are in the yard, have him on a leash so that an unfortunate incident does not occur. Good luck!
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My dog was found as a stray at about 2yrs old. He is very well behaved and gentle. He minds well. His only bad behavior is nipping at children’s heels. He loves to play with my six year old grandson but as soon as his back is turned Remi nips at his heels so we always keep a muzzle on Remi when they play. Can you help me. I have only had him a few months and I would like to try to break him of this bad behavior.
Hello! Un-training this behavior is fairly complex, though not impossible. It just takes time and practice. Because it is such an instinctual behavior for these dogs, it can be difficult to break. I am including a link for you to read. There are many steps to solve this behavior. Much more than room in this box! So I hope you find the link helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to send another message. https://wagwalking.com/training/not-herd-1
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Have had Ollie since he was 7 weeks old. Now have had him for 3 weeks now. Having issues with biting and nipping. He has bit both me and my husband, possibly playing but has drawn blood. He gets really rambunctious and starts biting constantly and I put him in his pen and leave him alone for a while. Most of the time he falls asleep. So I deducted that he's possibly tired when he does this repetitive biting and doesn't respond to "no biting". So I've tried pet protector spray and at first seemed like it was going to work then he just started nipping at the can. Then I attempted fake crying like a hurt puppy or dog. Then he seems like he comes to me like he feels bad and he stopped. But he then started nipping and biting at me when I do that. Now I grab his snout and say "no biting". That worked for a while too, then he started to nip and bit me right after I release his snout. I am very frustrated and my husband is ready to get rid of him because it seems like he is not learning to stop biting. He is a very smart puppy. He learned to fetch the first night I had him, kind of by accident really. Have taught him to sit also, He has started ignoring my commands and and I'm trying to stay positive and not give up on him! I get to tears I get so upset. I would want to keep him but am afraid he may be a dog that may actually bite people when he gets older and that is not the type of dog I want. I know they say getting them fixed may help him. Your opinion on if it helps and how early can it or should it be done. I'm so desperate at this point. I'm full of scratches from his teeth and bruises from him. Help me please!!
Hello! Here is some information on nipping/biting. Nipping: Puppies may nip for a number of reasons. Nipping can be a means of energy release, getting attention, interacting and exploring their environment or it could be a habit that helps with teething. Whatever the cause, nipping can still be painful for the receiver, and it’s an action that pet parents want to curb. Some ways to stop biting before it becomes a real problem include: Using teething toys. Distracting with and redirecting your dog’s biting to safe and durable chew toys is one way to keep them from focusing their mouthy energies to an approved location and teach them what biting habits are acceptable. Making sure your dog is getting the proper amount of exercise. Exercise is huge. Different dogs have different exercise needs based on their breed and size, so check with your veterinarian to make sure that yours is getting the exercise they need. Dogs—and especially puppies—use their playtime to get out extra energy. With too much pent-up energy, your pup may resort to play biting. Having them expel their energy in positive ways - including both physical and mental exercise - will help mitigate extra nips. Being consistent. Training your dog takes patience, practice and consistency. With the right training techniques and commitment, your dog will learn what is preferred behavior. While sometimes it may be easier to let a little nipping activity go, be sure to remain consistent in your cues and redirection. That way, boundaries are clear to your dog. Using positive reinforcement. To establish preferred behaviors, use positive reinforcement when your dog exhibits the correct behavior. For instance, praise and treat your puppy when they listen to your cue to stop unwanted biting as well as when they choose an appropriate teething toy on their own. Saying “Ouch!” The next time your puppy becomes too exuberant and nips you, say “OUCH!” in a very shocked tone and immediately stop playing with them. Your puppy should learn - just as they did with their littermates - that their form of play has become unwanted. When they stop, ensure that you follow up with positive reinforcement by offering praise, treat and/or resuming play. Letting every interaction with your puppy be a learning opportunity. While there are moments of dedicated training time, every interaction with your dog can be used as a potential teaching moment.
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Hello, my kid will randomly run up to done stranger and nip at them, used to be when someone would spook him but today he saw someone and stealthy ran up behind them and nipped, what should I do?
Hello, I recommend working with a trainer who specializes in behavior issues like fear and aggression, who comes well recommended by their previous clients, and works with a team of other trainers who can practice being "strangers" to work on pup's mistrust and aggression toward strangers. I would also work on commands like Leave It, Place, Heel, Out, and Down to help manage pup directionally around other people. Since the nipping is likely related to pup feeling suspicious of people, the underlying fear and aggression needs to be addressed to help with the nipping. The nipping might also be partially related to pup trying to control people's movement as a herding instinct - which the directional commands can help with. Down https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Place https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Heel - Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Out - which means leave the area https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It - leave it method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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Biting when walking, when playing and who told no she still continues. Have tried the grabbing about method and redirecting without success.
Hello. Here is information on nipping/biting. Nipping: Puppies may nip for a number of reasons. Nipping can be a means of energy release, getting attention, interacting and exploring their environment or it could be a habit that helps with teething. Whatever the cause, nipping can still be painful for the receiver, and it’s an action that pet parents want to curb. Some ways to stop biting before it becomes a real problem include: Using teething toys. Distracting with and redirecting your dog’s biting to safe and durable chew toys is one way to keep them from focusing their mouthy energies to an approved location and teach them what biting habits are acceptable. Making sure your dog is getting the proper amount of exercise. Exercise is huge. Different dogs have different exercise needs based on their breed and size, so check with your veterinarian to make sure that yours is getting the exercise they need. Dogs—and especially puppies—use their playtime to get out extra energy. With too much pent-up energy, your pup may resort to play biting. Having them expel their energy in positive ways - including both physical and mental exercise - will help mitigate extra nips. Being consistent. Training your dog takes patience, practice and consistency. With the right training techniques and commitment, your dog will learn what is preferred behavior. While sometimes it may be easier to let a little nipping activity go, be sure to remain consistent in your cues and redirection. That way, boundaries are clear to your dog. Using positive reinforcement. To establish preferred behaviors, use positive reinforcement when your dog exhibits the correct behavior. For instance, praise and treat your puppy when they listen to your cue to stop unwanted biting as well as when they choose an appropriate teething toy on their own. Saying “Ouch!” The next time your puppy becomes too exuberant and nips you, say “OUCH!” in a very shocked tone and immediately stop playing with them. Your puppy should learn - just as they did with their littermates - that their form of play has become unwanted. When they stop, ensure that you follow up with positive reinforcement by offering praise, treat and/or resuming play. Letting every interaction with your puppy be a learning opportunity. While there are moments of dedicated training time, every interaction with your dog can be used as a potential teaching moment.
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