6 months old and nipping
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 6 of 6
Like Tree4Likes
  • 1 Post By Bill
  • 2 Post By Bill
  • 1 Post By RubyRoo

Thread: 6 months old and nipping

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    49

    6 months old and nipping

    Hi, My dog Buddy, a beardie x lurcher, is still very excitable.He has 3 walks a day, and lots of toys but is jumping up and nipping for attention. I know that beardies need a lot of contact.Is this normal behaviour at this age. I walk away when he does this, but worry he will never get out of this horrible habit.Advice please, how can such a lovely puppy be driving me to tears!!OH O should add that Buddy is 24 weeks old.

  2. Remove Advertisements
     

  3. #2
    Senior Member Bill's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    West Georgia
    Posts
    286
    Collies are hearding dogs. They are bred to run all day during their herding activity. Any kind of walks is not exercise for herding dogs. He needs to run and run a lot. Also 6 months is still a puppy for these dogs. He will probably be around 2 years or more before he matures into a relatively calm adult. Good luck and enjoy your next 18 months. Be glad for this time with him. In several years he will be too old to run and play and the excitement of life will have left him. I have an 11 1/2 year old Great Dane and I miss that energetic time of life for her.
    RubyRoo likes this.
    Bill

    http://www.skylarzack.com/rawfeeding.htm

    Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring-it was peace. - Milan Kundera

  4. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Rurul Lincolnshire
    Posts
    68
    STA70219.jpg

    Hi

    You seem to unerstand why Buddie is doing this, which is a good start, as is ignoring the behaviour.

    You haven't mentioned whether you are doing any training with Buddie, which is something that all puppies need right from the moment they come into your house. Training will also tire your dog's mind, which may not make him so excitable.

    When he jumps up and nips, which as Bill says is normal for the breed, I would teach buddie a more apprioprate action, such as sitting. Easy to do with a titbit or toy in your hand. Doing this to start with when he is not so excitable and more likely to listen is your best bet, so that you can put it into practice when he starts the jumping. Use the titbit or toy to 'lure' Buddie into the sit, raising it slightly above his head, until his bottom hits the ground, reward immediately. Gradually lengthen the time before you give the reward, if using a toy, then don't let him jump for it, but throw it behind him. As he begins to sit at a raised hand, then put the 'sit' command' in.

    It is important that you get him to do something before using a titbit or toy, otherwise he will learn that his jumping and nipping will earn him this, so put the sit into place first. The aim is of course, that when you see him going to jump you can give the sit command, and praise and reward, though the reward will eventully just become the verbal praise.

    Oh yes, one other thing, the type of food given can also make some dogs more excitable, so make sure that you are feeding as natural diet as possible, the more cereal in it, the more likelyhood of a dog suffering from some sort of behavioural or physical problem.

  5. Remove Advertisements
     

  6. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    49
    Hi, thanks Bill and Ruby for your replies. I have been so grateful for this forum in the past 4 months! Your replies have really reassured me. Yes Buddy is of a mix that is constantly on the go.My concern was that we were doing something wrong and he should be not jumping and nipping for attention now. We are doing the right things by the looks of things. He has two runs off the leadd and one on the lead toaccustomise him to normal everyday life, he is still fascinated by people in their gardens or getting in cars, and haas to stand and watch until they are out of site. He is good at sitting and down so will carry on in that manner. AND add a treat if he sits after jumping up! have checked his food content and that seems ok. So once again thank you so much for your reasurances and will continue to enjoy him. I agree he IS a whirlwind, but has us in stitches laughing, even if we have to look away so he doesnt see us laughing! thanks!

  7. #5
    Senior Member Bill's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    West Georgia
    Posts
    286
    Quote Originally Posted by bellasmum View Post
    AND add a treat if he sits after jumping up!
    NO! Add a treat if he sits BEFORE jumping up and then doesn't jump. Otherwise he will learn, "If I jump up and then sit, I will get a treat" and thats not the lesson he needs to learn.
    Justontime and RubyRoo like this.
    Bill

    http://www.skylarzack.com/rawfeeding.htm

    Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring-it was peace. - Milan Kundera

  8. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Rurul Lincolnshire
    Posts
    68
    STA70163.jpgTiming is everything when teaching a dog an alternative behaviour, or any other behaviour, because rewarding/praising at the wrong time, and your dog has learnt something else. As Bill says don't give the titbit after jumping, otherwise you are rewarding the jumping and will still have the problem. Walk away from that spot, if he does jump, and try again, but you must be quicker with the titbit the next time. If necessary turn away or side step to stop the jump before it happens. You need to get in there with the new behaviour before the jumps/nip takes place, then with the titbit in your hand show it to him, put it under his nose and then raise it up above his head, and as he sits give him the titbit. If Buddie tries to mug your hand for the titbit, keep your fist closed over it, until you are ready to give it.

    One more thing is that sometimes dogs will try harder to get their reward before finally realising that it is not going to work. You must be really good and not give any reaction if this happens not even eye contact, only reward the behaviour that you want.

    Keep us posted on how it goes and good luck.
    Bill likes this.

+ Reply to Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts