bubbles Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 Hi there, I am needing some help with a very obnoxious little border (male - 4 months). This little boy doesn't take no for an answer - constantly nips at our feet, goes after the older shepard who finally bit a hole into the pups nose for stealing a bone!! We have tried everything - time outs, redirection, treats for being good and no attention for being bad (although naturally he gets attention). If he has something he shouldn't he knows to run around the coffee table and goes one way while I go the other. It's very frustrating. Won't come when called unless he feels like it. Herds everything in site from cats to cows to cars!!! Only once did that happen (cars). I don't have sheep and may decide to use him for cattle but my last border was nothing like this. She was calm and we really didn't have to do much training. This little guy is crazy!! Any help appreciated!! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosstheboss2000 Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 Where in Canada are you located? Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PennyT Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 Positive training: Tell your pup, "You positively will not do that." Your pup will not understand this statement. In regard to obnoxious behavior like chasing around the coffee table, demonstrate its meaning by giving him a good little shake and if that doesn't work whack him one. You can do this if you have a leash on him so that you can step on it. Oh, and get a crate. There's a great post somewhere on these boards on teaching recalls. Search "recall." Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurie etc Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 Arghhhh...I don't advocate "whacking him one" but how about setting some firm guidelines up and sticking to them. Positive is not Permissive. Definitely agree with the Crate, and limiting his freedom with a leash or confinement, especially if your older dog is having to take matters into his own "paws" and dole out the discipline. That's not really fair to the older dog, and likely to escalate and cause some vet bills. Check out "Nothing in Life is Free" ! http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karrie Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 I will second get a crate and he is in it unless leashed. I didn't think attaching the leash to me would make a huge difference in Sam but when I did it ~It really worked. Nipping~ Are you still walking once he starts or stopping and correcting him? If you are still walking stop/freeze tell him Firmly NO or ANNNT. Course, if he is leashed to you it becomes difficult to herd you. Running/recall~ There is some really good recall info on the general board. One thing I would like to say is don't chase. It is a game then. I made that mistake with Tuck. He had an excellent recall in the house but his outside was more of when he choose. It cost him his life. I used the info the others gave for learning recall and Sam is the opposite of Tuck. Sam comes no matter the distraction. We still have some work in this area when it comes to my boys on their skateboards but even then no more than 2 calls. The second call is when he is coming but stops and looks like he wants to go after the board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miztiki Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 Click here: How to teach a solid recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbles Posted April 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 thanks for advice - yelling and saying NO when nipping at ankles does nothing!!! Even shaking him off firmly does nothing. He just comes back for more! Vet says he is the mouthiest pup!! He goes into the crate when we need a break and as well for time outs. I will try leashing him to me! thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Bo Boop Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 LOL, you might try putting some theragesic,or Ben gay type stuff on your ankles. My Mike was a terrible biter as a pup, no matter what we did. So I just started putting Theragesic on my hands, when he started to bite, he'd get a whiff of that stuff and he quit in no time. It really works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosstheboss2000 Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 I would recommend find a good trainer in your area familiar with the breed and starting puppy classes or privates... sounds like he may be already figuring out things while you are trying to keep up.. It is so important to know what your training criteria is , and how to get what you want. Letting him run around loose and herd all that is moving and be a overall brat is letting him have a unconstructive outlet where these behaviours will be self reinforced. He is getting exactly what he wants and his behaviours reinforce what he is doing.. you can hit him or treat him it doesnt matter. I definitly DO NOT recommend whacking him OR shaking him...you CAN train without intimidation or creating conflict. It may be that this pup needs some EXTRA foundation and impulse control work so that he understands the rules to life and that he is working with you! Long lines are GREAT for pups like this... if he is loose and you cant catch him you have already set yourself up for failure.. If you havent worked with a dog like this or done the training work before finding someone to work with weekly or on a occasional basis will help you to be consistent and figure out what exactly you are wanting to acheive. You dont want to end up in 6 months finding that you are tying him up all day because he has found chasing cars to be a super fun past time. Consistency is the key!! Good Luck with your active boy! Sounds like he will be a learning experience for all. Cindy http://www.bordercollierescueont.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eileen Stein Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 I have moved this thread to the General Border Collie Discussion forum. This forum is for discussing the training of working stockdogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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