Aussies tend to nip, but there is a good reason why this occurs. It's not an aggressive or mean behavior. Instead, it has everything to do with the job they were originally bred to do. We are a firm believer that dogs need to “do their function” and one such boarding facility allows your
' Clearly signal that you do not approve the behavior, by saying “Owww!” and teach people to stop touching, talking to, or playing with your dog each time they start biting. Shunishment games, “punishment” by taking away attention, uses your dog's desire to be with and touched by you as a way to stop unwanted behavior.
Getting rid of inappropriate biting can take anywhere between two to six weeks, depending on how long your dog has been exhibiting it. Consistent and daily intervention and training should make the process relatively pain-free but remember that instinct is a powerful force.
Like most shepherds, Australian Shepherds were bred to be herding dogs. Years of selective breeding has imparted deep instincts into your Shepherd. The desire to herd is as natural to your Australian Shepherd as their need for a pack. Herding dogs learn to nip and snap at the heels of livestock to keep them in a group.
Instead of giving your dog time-outs for hard biting, start to give him time-outs every time you feel his teeth touch your skin. The instant you feel your dog's teeth touch you, give a high-pitched yelp. Then immediately walk away from him. Ignore him for 30 to 60 seconds.
You should NOT punish a dog for biting. This method may also teach the dog not to give a warning prior to the bite. It certainly doesn't do anything to minimize the dog's stressors.
There are multiple reasons that a dog may exhibit aggression toward family members. The most common causes include conflict aggression, fear-based, defensive aggression, status related aggression, possessive aggression, food guarding aggression and redirected aggression.
Discipline, Don't Punish.
Australian Shepherds don't know “not” to do something. They learn the result of doing. If they do something and the result is positive (a treat, a belly rub etc) the pup will quickly learn to continue the behavior. The opposite effect is true if they do not receive the reward.
Ever have a dog nudge you, not so gently, toward the food bowl? Or maybe they are habitual car chasers along the back yard fence. They may even nip excitedly at the kids when they are running in the yard. Odds are if you see this behavior you may have a herding breed on your hands.
Your Aussie may require time to adjust to a new life and learn to trust you before he feels comfortable enough to cuddle with you. To cuddle means to be vulnerable, and your dog may just need patience and time to understand that his vulnerability won't put him in a position to be hurt.
Try to always use the reward to encourage good behavior before using punishment to dissuade bad behavior. Instead, when the nipping occurs, stop walking. If you pull your feet away and push your dog away from your feet it will just become a game. It is better that you stop moving and don't even look at them.
Australian Shepherds are known for their fierce loyalty with one person, that doesn't mean every Shepherd will act like that. Some Shepherds might not build a particularly strong bond with any one family member. Others might like one of you more than another, but they don't sit on you to show it.
Most Australian Shepherds should begin calming down at two years of age. At this point, they're considered mature dogs who can better regulate their energy. That said, not all Aussies will tone it down at this age. It may take them reaching seniority for their energy to drop off.
Nipping involves a small and sudden bite from a dog. Compared to mouthing, nipping usually causes a bit more pain, but the bite is not severe enough to break the skin. Although it is painful, nipping is not an aggressive behavior and is often a sign that the dog wants attention.
Training, brain games, and dog sports are all effective ways to channel herding instincts into other outlets.
They are intensely focused on getting tasks done and need stimulation and activity. A Border Collie will stare at you if you are not giving him enough of the action he requires. He needs to have a great deal of stimulation to satisfy his desire to work.
A considerable amount of this behavior is inherited. Cattledogs were bred to control large herds and to protect animals and property from thieves, so working dogs are supposed to be suspicious of strangers and to protect territory. Dogs who are friendly to strangers are not much good at their jobs.
Indoor Fetch: Herding dogs love fetch. If you have sufficient space, such as a large living room or a long hallway, tossing your pup's favorite toy for them to chase and retrieve is a great way to satisfy their instincts to chase and grab.
These are 'come', 'sit', 'stay', and 'down'. This is very important as not only will your pup be learning new commands to follow as part of his new skill, he will also be using several of the basics at the same time.
With an Aussie's boundless energy, channeling it into something constructive can do wonders for your dog. These dogs bond strongly with their families. Their loyalty with their intelligence and high energy makes them very easy to train.
Australian shepherds are known as Velcro dogs because of their strong bond with their humans. They crave attention and love being near the people they care about. So if your Aussie is always following you around, it's a sign that they adore you and want to be close to you at all times.
While there's little doubt that dogs are capable of feeling primary emotions, which include feelings such as happiness, sadness and fear, there's far less evidence that dogs experience what are called secondary emotions, which include guilt and shame, says Scientific American.
Contemporary experts urge against all uses of physical discipline. Tapping or bopping a dog on the nose can be misconstrued as playful behavior, and being too rough with your dog can actually trigger biting, reactive, or defensive behavior.
Be aware that even doing everything right, this behavior may not go away entirely until 5-6 months of age. Remember, this is a normal developmental period in puppies. For extra-bitey puppies, or those that are biting after 5-6 months of age, this blog will help give you some additional tips and recommendations.