How to tell if your dog has herding instincts?
To determine if your dog has herding instincts, consider that herding breeds were developed to gathe Read More
How do I stop my herding dog from nipping other dogs?
Juanita Gleason
2025-06-28 11:33:21
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The first thing you want to do is make use of some basic commands. Try starting with the “come” command, which will stop your dog in his tracks when he goes to nip someone. Telling the dog to “sit” or “stay in place” will also work. If you can spot the cues that indicate your dog is on the verge of nipping at someone, you’ll be able to stop your herding dog before he starts to nip someone to begin with. Some of the most common triggers include kids running around together or cyclists riding by the house. If you see your dog get excited by your kids running or strangers, instruct him to sit and stay before he approaches them. It’s best to train slowly, patiently, and consistently when it comes to weeding out the nipping instinct in your herding dog. You can increase the length later on but start slowly. If your dog is nipping you, you could try ignoring it when it first happens. Many times, a herding dog will think that it’s a game if you acknowledge the behavior. Helping your herding dog overcome his instinct to nip often requires exposing him to more people, kids, and other pets. Patience and positive reinforcement are vital for teaching your herding dog not to nip. Never yell at, hit, or punish your dog in any way if you want to stop the nipping, instead of making it worse.
Sally O'Conner
2025-06-28 08:33:40
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Some dogs nip when they get over-excited or frustrated in play. Consistently stopping the game or redirecting the dog into a less intense activity, preferably when the dog is showing signs of getting frantic or overaroused, will help him learn that nipping always ends the fun. Herding Dogs Who Nip These dogs have a very strong genetic propensity to nip at things that move because they’re supposed to! You can manage this behavior with a “Search” behavior – tossing treats away from you to occupy your dog’s teeth with things other than your skin or use a “Go to Mat” behavior as described above. You can ask him to target to strategically placed target objects around your property. Perhaps the best solution is to engage him in herding activities where he has an outlet for his herding behavior and will learn additional control cues – either actual herding with sheep, ducks, or cows, or the sport of Treibball.
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Daniela Waters
2025-06-28 08:29:49
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Herding breeds nip for a number of reasons, the most common one being that it is their DNA. Herding dogs may nip at heels or other pets, reflecting their instinct to herd. This behavior, often triggered by movement, is especially noticeable around young children. Some herding dogs might also nip as a way to get attention, out of boredom, and for most puppies, as a way of playing or teething. I taught his guardians how to disagree with his behavior and showed him how to gain self control using counterconditioning. It’s crucial to maintain a comfortable distance for your herding dog, ensuring they remain calm and focused enough to ignore family members’ activities and accept treats. If your dog becomes too excited, relocate them further from the action. They can use this method to help him stop chasing the cat or Abby when she is outside in the yard. To keep up this good behavior the guardians will want to be consistent in their training and follow through using the escalating consequences.