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| Author | Topic: Aussie Behavior |
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dukesdad Member  Posts: 117 |
posted 12-01-2003 09:03 AM
 
We adopted a one year old Aussie mix about a month ago. He plays well with out two year old Lab but I think he is trying to dominate both Liz and the Lab. He is a sweetie with me but lunged and bit Liz on her face as she was drying off his feet. No damage to Liz but she was shaken by this behavior. Are Aussies typically one person dogs? I usually handle all of the dog feeding but thinking that might be a factor I have now let Liz do the feeing as well. Any ideas would be appreciated. IP: Logged |
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puggleowner Member Posts: 228 |
posted 12-01-2003 09:13 AM
The Aussie lunging at her face- are you sure that it was in an aggressive manner? I know from reading the posts of other Aussie owners that they tend to "nip" a lot- not necessarily due to aggresssion, but because they were originally bred to be herding dogs and thus may try to "herd" everyone around them using their teeth-- it's not meant to be mean, more like a habit that is just innate with them and that they need to learn to break so that they don't drive those who love them nuts  Anyway, I'm not sure if that was the situation or not, but you might want to search through some of the other posts on this site regardng Aussies, and that might give you some additional advice!IP: Logged |
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Jamiya Member Posts: 1392 |
posted 12-01-2003 09:22 AM
They can be one person dogs. They are also very mouthy and nippy dogs, in my experience. My pup is a mix, but she has done a lot of nipping of me and the children (not so much my husband, but some) and we are still trying to get a handle on it. She is only about 6 months old. Liz needs to make sure the dog knows she is boss. Having her feed the dog would be a good thing - but make the dog sit first. Does he have any basic obedience? If not, start teaching him sit and down. Down is a very submissive position. I was told by my trainer last week to put my dog in a down (without using treats) and make her stay as I am working in that room, etc. This is supposed to teach her to respect me. Also, have your dog "earn his keep" by performing for everything he wants - food, toys, etc - by sitting (or use down) first. As Maisey so recently pointed out to me, because aussies are herding dogs, you do not want to bop the dog on the nose for nipping at you. This will only make him go at you harder. Trust me - don't do it! My trainer also said that vigorous petting would make the dog nip, as they associate this with puppy play. I tell Nala "NO BITE" firmly (but not angrily) and sometimes hold her mouth shut until she sighs, which means she has relaxed. If you let go too soon, they just nip again. Do not alpha roll. This will never help you. Make sure you speak slowly and firmly to her - short, loud commands sound like barking and could make the dog even more riled up. I have noticed that Nala is the worst when she is excited, so calming her down is usually the first step in making her behave.
[This message has been edited by Jamiya (edited 12-01-2003).] IP: Logged |
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tuttifrutti Member Posts: 478 |
posted 12-01-2003 09:22 AM
It may have been that, A: she rubbed a foot the wrong way and it hurt the dog, and it could be B: That she was too close to the dogs face. My sister got too close to a friends otherwise sweet Cocker spaniel when we were kids, and she got a nice nip on the nose! Dog's have their own personal space, I think! IP: Logged |
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Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 12-01-2003 11:04 AM
I think the last poster has the right idea...at leaste to start. Make sure her feet aren't bothering her. She could have a sticker or burr...something in there that has made it tender. It may be something you can't see so after you have looked real well feel gently around each paw, squeeze a little and watch her reaction. If it appears that there is nothing wrong with her feet thats causing pain....maybe have your wife "dry" her feet again in the way she was before and see what the reaction is, be prepared in case she does nip, correct her if she does. If she is being dominant with your wife there are many things she can do to change her status in the house to place herself above the dog. IP: Logged |
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Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 12-01-2003 11:10 AM
PS...in our house all four family members take turn feeding the dogs or giving them water. All the dogs know that they must sit and wait, they may not advance on the bowl until they hear the word "Ok" and even then it has to be respectful. Even if she is a one person dog(and I have one of those!) she will need to learn that she takes rank below the people in the house, and not challenge your wife, it is better to have your wife settle the issues with the dog than to ignore them or decide that you will just feed the dog. If you find thats the case...come back and ask, I have found a couple pretty simple things she can do that will make a difference. IP: Logged |
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Samsintentions Member Posts: 944 |
posted 12-01-2003 01:08 PM
Aussies are like Heelers and Border Collies, they are used for herding and it comes natural to them. So thats probably why she's doing that, but firmly correct her in a loud voice "NO" and show her your boss!!! Don't let her do that to Liz again with out firm correction, don't hit but a loud yell should do the trick, Neither of my heelers like me messing with their feet, its just their charater. Smokey my male will growl at me but no more, I correct him and he's better now, Charllotte on the other hand will try and distract you from your task at her feet with licking in the face, which looks like she's lounging at you, but in reality she's just trying to lick you and divert your attention. My recomendation is to mess with her feet more. Keep her in check and teach her the "Shake" command, this will ease the tension both for you and the dog. IP: Logged |
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prov35 New Member  Posts: 3 |
posted 12-02-2003 12:35 AM
Every Aussie I have had will give you the Aussie kisses. My daughter's always nip my rear he is so excited to see company. When they are overly excited they will lick and then pinch you not with an open mouth but more like they are itching a spot on their body. She may have an old injury on the leg or foot that your wife was handling also. My son's Border Collie/ Aussie will take your hand in his mouth and try to take you for a walk. And there is a problem that Aussie rescues address, it is called Aussie people herding or something like that and I often wonder what it means but it would make sense that this is it. They don't recommend these dogs for homes with children. Good Luck IP: Logged |
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Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 12-02-2003 01:06 AM
prov35, all the rescues mean is that Aussies (and other herding breeds) will herd people especially children if given the chance. Small children run and jump and play they scream and make noises, put those together with a herding dog present and you will likely get some herding, which includes nipping at ankles and hineys. It's not a "problem" as such...it's instinct, a behavior thats natural to them. They see small children as a job opportunity or responsibility. The problem is when people get the dogs and don't understand them. They don't understand that the dog has been bred for a very long time specifically to think for itself, make decisions on it's own and work. They see the behavior as threatening, after all in their eyes the dog "bit" the child, or knocked it down. So many times rescues will get the dog back or it's dumped all because the people taking the dog into their family really didn't understand the type of dog they were getting. I have two children and an Aussie x. When he was a pup he tried to herd the kids too...we trained him not to. We were prepared for the behavior in advance. I now have a Catahoula pup, also a herding breed, he just turned a year old. Same issues with him, my children are a bit older now and have the experience of the first herding dog under their belt. It was much quicker teaching the pup this time around, even though I believe his instinct or prey drive is higher. If you take a dog out of it's element, out of the environment it was meant for, and this dog has been bred for it specifically....they will try to adapt. Aussie in suburban family home with no sheep, ducks, cows etc...will look for the next best thing to work...kids, cats, mailman. They can be wonderful family pets if the people understand them and their needs. IP: Logged |
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debslegacyofgold Member Posts: 56 |
posted 12-02-2003 10:15 PM
i think it all depends on the dog and and who and how it is raised...if its raised with a family primarily its gonna be protective over the family and it all depends on what the owners put up with and the training. i have an aussie and have had her since she was 3 1/2 wks old she is very gentle and kind and not nippy or yappy because we didnt put up with it..where you havent had that advantage beings u adopted her at 1 yr...if it were me i would not put up with any kind of nipping no matter what the reason...good luck! ------------------ IP: Logged |
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Samsintentions Member Posts: 944 |
posted 12-03-2003 08:44 AM
Definately hav eher try it again, then step back and assess the situation and determine if she's really being agressive or just spooked. Like the above, she could just be getting excited and kissing. Charllotte is widely known for that, she can be calm as ever, and then BOOM! lung at you and kiss you to death! IP: Logged |
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