After about 30 seconds of this, he goes about his business chasing leaves, sticks, butterflys! Consider as well what other dogs are doing. Of course, it should be one familiar with herding breeds. That way I can successfully put on his training collar without him trying to wiggle out of it. We have an 8 mo old border collie/great pry mix and he is exhibiting a lot of the behaviours mentioned. The female, Abby, has been a jumper, nipper, doesn't listen to anyone, excitable and over anxious since she was about 5 months old. The dog park is what saves us. Here I am snapping the leash on the dog when she is calm and sitting. Slow and steady wins the race. She could chase seagulls all day if I didn't have a life. Mimi - Glad to have helped. But then we managed to stop it like this: every time he was jumping on me or my husband we would throw a leash very high over his neck (making a kind of choke collar) and would start walking very fast. Dogs who get too excited around other dogs on walks likely have a history of reinforcement. I want to walk them but I am afraid of what he will do! Before looking them up, let's take a closer look at some patterns that may take place in overly excited dogs. Also, there are often too many people and smells making it hard to concentrate. Just like dogs who get too excited around other dogs at the dog park, dogs who get too excited around other dogs on walks likely have a history of reinforcement. I don't know if the breeds are more aggressive or what but I wish these so called experts would stop pretending as if they know so much when they really sound stupid in the advice they give. Early puppy training forms a strong foundation that will persist into adulthood as long as the owner is consistent. Then, once loose again, resume walking, turning around when the leash is tense as often as needed. One of the twins rescued a Border Collie puppy two months ago while a junior in nursing school and living in an apartment. Please send me the answer to my question. He is such a sweetie at all other times, and in fact this is NOT aggressive biting, it is clothing that 'flaps' that he grabs. Sometimes you allow him to meet some dogs (or just can't control him! Within a few minutes they are back for a nap or a good rub down. Normally the overly sensitive or helicopter human is giving off the bad vibes and causes the problem and when the balanced human/dogs ignore the behavior we never see them back at the park. and shielding his advances with a metal garbage can lid. Hi Mimi. The best is for them to live in a home where they are the only dog. Many dogs get frustrated when they do not obtain what they want. A full tummy is not very motivating. One thing that tires him out really nicely is a game of hide and seek with our 11 month old kitten. Dog Training Videos The below tips apply to both dogs excited at the dog park or on walks. Our 6-months old Alaskan Malamute puppy used to do exactly the same somewhere during the 5th month of his life, and in the beginning we had no idea what to do. Any skirmishes or overly rough play is short lived because either my sweet and submissive dog rolls on her back, herds the aggressor or out runs/out maneuvers the beast ;). Why are some dogs fine around other dogs, while others are going bonkers? Aussie Breeders Directory Help, My Dog Gets Too Excited Around Other Dogs. Aussies get out of their minds if they haven't had many opportunities to run hard and get that energy taken care of! The marinating pork chop I can almost understand (although neither of our other borders had ever done such a thing) but canned goods and boxes? Train your dog to perform an alternate behavior to the pulling (sit, watch-me, or attention heeling-my favorite, that is, a dog walking next to you while glaring in your eyes) praising and rewarding them. She is a great dog. Sometimes that means dragging her home clamped down on my pant-leg or fighting her off me as we shuffle home for another 30 minutes. She is better behaved on our walks, as long as she has an outlet for that destructive, overstimulated energy that you describe. After she died and the twins went off to separate colleges, I got a Maltese which is more my present speed. What is the training collar people are referring to? And don't forget to pat yourself on the back for a job well done! If you walk your dog only on weekends things get more difficult. My dogs follow me all over the yard and when I stop, they lay down at my feet. I have an Aussie puppy 5 months old and we go out for long walks 3 times a day. Many dog owners report success with a head halter, although these require an acclimatization period. I love them so much and they are so protective of me that I cannot get mad at them for being my shadow. Gradually decrease distance, but if your dog's behavior gives signs of breaking apart, this is a sign that you may have progressed too quickly. Hey man I love my dog but I don't want her biting my girlfriend or future kids. Plus she starts off hard and then burns out. Problem solved :). Be patient and you will be rewarded. I started letting my Aussie have "friends" over at a very early age like 3 months. The leash is finally slack for a few brief seconds as the dog sniffs and marks, only to return tense again as the dog prepares for the next olfactory discovery. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Two against one is just "common sense" to any dog. Ive been trying to train her on her leash - but behavior becomes worse. Not sure if we would still be able to teach him some new tricks, but I'd like to try. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. This especially annoys my husband (who of course told our daughter NOT to get a Border Collie and that we would NOT take it off her hands lol) she is also a counter cruiser. Your dog moves so much, it's difficult to clip the leash on. Looking closely at these dynamics is important so that we can recognize whether we are making some crucial mistakes that are ultimately feeding the dog's excitement, and therefore, causing our dogs to rehearse the overly excited behaviors over and over in their daily routines. The more the rehearsal of behavior, the more practice makes perfect. if I tell him no he stops dead in his tracks but that seems like I am taking away his outlet! This means that the pulling behavior will put roots and quickly establish, becoming an integral part of the dog's walking-on-leash behavior repertoire. I've heard it's tough for smaller dogs & pups like mine under 6 mos. Oh my, how I wish I had driven 100 miles several times a week. I'm hoping I can get her into dog training but with the kids having 5 days of sport activities not sure when that will be and I'm hoping the classes do help. I want my dog to stop barking at everything. They allow them to eat along with them as well as the cats eat at the same time out of their bowl. We would like to pet her without her licking us so much! If your dog gets too excited at the dog park, most likely a regular "dog-park day" will look something like this: you put your shoes on, grab the leash and your dog comes rushing to you. I know she is only playing but it hurts. These dogs may send him over the threshold. Implement dog impulse control exercises (like sitting before opening the door, before eating, before snapping the leash on) and use them every day. She's a bit insecure around other dogs and strangers. Whether your dog gets too excited around other dogs at the dog park or around other dogs on walks, your dog will benefit from better impulse control. We wish you all the best with your puppy! BreedersGet Listed Here You can find high-value training treats in many pet stores. She herds him under the sofa and won't let him out and when she is bored she just randomly harasses him. If I let her loose outside she is so excited and starts jumping and biting. I understand your frustration. At my puppy school, they've warned us that "dogs about 6 months of age were the target for the most aggression in the park, more than any other age group". We have started letting him run and sniff in our fair-sized yard for an hour or so and then walk him. The issue may stem from various causes. Your dog's excitement over time should start decreasing. Hyper in the house when guests come i and girls are comin as well as family and marriage. I am so happy to read the suggestions on this problem. She is now 9 months. She is smart as a whip & has several hand signs down already! Seeing dogs only every now and then increases their saliency. She will jump up and bite at my clothes, gloves and boots (the primary caregiver) more than anyone else. Keep away game really burns his energy, and saves on yours..lol. If your dog is difficult to control on walks or when going to the dog park, invest in a front-attachment harness (harness where the leash attaches to a clip in the middle of the dog's chest). Once you reach the gate, ask your dog to sit, just as you practiced in the impulse control exercises before opening the door to go on walks. Good thing I read your problem. I understand your frustration with socializing Aussies/BC's with other dogs. When she became overstimulated she would attack. You can practice the "watch" command in which she would only get a treat if she focuses on your face with eye contact. If you take your dog to the dog park and your dog is restless in the car, skip the dog park for a while and take him to boring places (vet's office for a quick hello to staff, to go on a walk on a quiet nearby road) or just a ride around the neighborhood without even getting off the car. Drain a good part of his energy by playing games in the yard that have him running and panting. This breed needs a lot of running, and you will notice they are a lot easier to deal with and live with:) The nipping has improved a lot lately do to the Dog Park:) Hang in there and it will get better! Also stick with one correction word with the assault. She said the dog stayed under her feet and with 4 children it was a nightmare. Not only does practice make perfect, but many times such overly excited behaviors generalize to other situations such as acting impatient upon seeing the leash, acting impatient upon seeing other dogs on walks, and acting impatient upon going on car rides although to places other than the dog park (because the dog never knows whether he'll go to the park or the vet). I've taken to wearing gloves and I fear it's only made it worse - but it's snowing outside.I could really use some help here. Make sure you use really good treats like real meat or cheese. If your dog is a ball of energy before walks, he will be harder to control and over threshold. Good luck. Helping a dog too excited around other dogs requires a multi-faceted approach. Aussie Special Feature Train your dog to be less excited at the sight of the leash. At this distance, practice your alternate behavior as a dog is passing from a distance. Embrace progress and its exhilarating feeling but don't get too excited that you progress too fast. It was cool for every one to witness. I want my dog to walk nicely and calmly on the leash. Hang in there, it does get better! I want to take her to the dog park, but I'm afraid what she would go another dog in there. Science tells us that positively reinforced behaviors tend to strengthen and repeat. They want to gain access to anything they want and they have a low frustration tolerance. I was sunbathing and she accidentally made my face bleed. Many people wonder whether dogs know the time, and the answer is that we don't really know for sure, but what we know is that dogs, just like humans, have a pineal gland tucked in their brain which is responsible for secreting melatonin, which is a hormone that helps regulate circadian rhythms. She was always following them when they went out to play and would lay down and watch them like they were little sheep. Dog Training Index We have one old man who comes with a pack of schnauzers (3) and he brings his lawn chair and they bark incessantly. He would rebel but the fact that the leash was so high wouldn't let him reach us and he'd calm down very fast. Your dog will learn to behave calmly despite the presence of other dogs which will come in handy on walks or at the dog park. I had border collies when the kids were growing up and "Bonnie" babysat the kids. On walks, arm yourself with very high-value treats. I have met a couple of Australian Shepherd owners and a Border Collie owner at the dog park that bring their dogs there daily! The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. But what causes dogs to be too excited around other dogs? NEW Aussie Clubs, Template Design by Cre8ve Online|Mega Menu by Gerry Davis. I had heard this once on a website about Aussies being like Velcro and at your side all the time so the woman was putting her Aussie up for sale. Simply click here to return to Australian Shepherd Q & A. I still want her to be able to keep up with me. They play with each other, but no longer jump, bite, tear at my clothes, etc. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. :) Your understanding & empathy have been a tremendous relief! We had a rescue Aussie, she would have killed our other dog if we were not right there. I get now that it's really important. Ripped his coat, gloves and accidentally bit his arm while doing this. But I'm very worried over her tendency to pull on my clothing & bite! I have read a lot of information on how to get puppies to stop biting and jumping etc and all the experts have the attitude of knowing more than they actually know what they are talking about but they really don't they act like one size fits all which is arrogant thinking. Just be patient and as they mature, the puppy in them will subside and they become wonderful companions. This means your dog will always keep trying on pulling in hopes that this time is the good time that he'll succeed in greeting other dogs and get paid with doggy currency. Hey Mimi, I recently adopted a 3yr old half Aussie/ half Border Collie. Has anyone else had this problem? What can we do?! with this dog! NOT good if it is somebody else! Obviously she is highly intelligent, athletic, and incredibly loyal. You finally enter the park almost tripping and snap off the leash only to "unleash" a dog who is going bonkers playing with other dogs amidst the dust, wagging tails, and cacophony of yips, howls, and barks. ), other times he's straining against the collar, gasping and getting frustrated about this barrier. He always has. I have 2 Aussies, Abby & Andy, 6 mo old. Also there's always someone better to play with than a grump. I think you are correct that walking and fetching are not like running and chasing. This is a great thread, but nobody has 'quite' the same issue. How? They just enjoy being wherever you are. You can then progress over more sessions, to you and your friend walking next to each other with the dogs at opposite sides to maintain distance between the dogs. Thank you! I am sure he is making his bad hips worse what to do. It was very painful and embarrassing. I had to do that with one of my dogs through his entire life and he was a very calm Aussie under most circumstances, just excitable at certain times, like mornings. It's as if they thought she was their prey or something - when all she wanted to do was run and play. You can also teach her "puppy push-ups" -- sit, down, stand -- in rapid succession. Dog Nutrition Index This is our family's 3rd Border Collie. So that will be my next task to find a place where she can do that. It is terribly difficult while outside to get her full attention and she'll get hyper while were halfway out on our walks. Next thing you know, your dog is dragging you full force and your elbows are almost dislodging from their sockets. My 2 Aussies, Abby and Andy, are now 2 1/2 yrs old and have improved considerably within the last couple of months. She does not bite my hand at home - just outside.She will sometimes listen to "sit" and sometimes "settle" for brief rest, but will get right back to it when she gets excited again. It was not a matter of training, it was a matter of off-leash running. If they were to head for the street, Bonnie would go grab their clothes and herd them back into the yard. They have each had such different personalities and levels of herding instinct but we have adored every one of them! Overwhelmed in tears at the attacks. Let's face it: dog parks can look like wild parties; put several dogs together and you'll see dogs running left and right, acting overall bonkers. If your dog's leash is at any time tense, make an about-turn and walk away. This means that all the pulling, whining, pacing, and dragging the owner, will put roots and establish, becoming an integral part of the dog's going-to-the-dog-park behavior repertoire. She pulls things off the counters just to be nosy I guess? My sensitive girl gets so upset as we enter the park I was afraid she was going to kill them so I would use the other entrance. Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care, Australian Shepherd Lover's Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care, Join in and write your own page! My only concern was walking her home and getting home safely! Then she stops! Another thing I'm looking into is. Thank you thank you thank you! Join in and write your own page! Take him there, but do not enter the play area. The walk starts with your dog forging ahead sniffing and looking for all the traces of pee-mail left from his friends. Eventually I got annoyed at the owner and decided to let her kill them if necessary (circle of life and all) and went in and released her! Some Aussies are dog aggressive and nothing will help socialize them. It was different dogs the two times that I took her. Consider that what works at home and in the yard, won't likely work in overly stimulating environments. Grab the leash several times of the day and just place it next to you as you watch TV or read a book. These collars are wonderful - try them when you take them to the park because they listen when the collars are on. They do NOT like to be confined and will give you ulcers if they are! Enroll your dog in group classes. Now at the age of one, she is a lot more predictable and better behaved. he gets the zoomies like no other pure rough collie we have ever had. Practice several days, taking a mental note each time where you were able to get to and trying to surpass that point. Impulse control is not something a dog is born with. 2022 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. If your dog gets too excited around other dogs, don't feel badcountless dog owners deal with this problem and are wondering what they can do to solve it, but are not sure where to start. Make the behavior extra fluent before going on walks. Our baby does not nip US, oh, he is 2.5 yrs old now, was rescued at 6 months, and has twice caused issues on a walk where he will nip. If you are close enough to a place to put your Aussie into obedience class, then DO IT!!! And the advice about pulling the pups front legs sounded ridiculous if the owner can't get the pup to stop biting how is she going to grab the pups legs without getting bit. i simply have used the redirct method yes it is a hassle but it does work most of the time. My Australian Shepherd is almost 3 months old. I just wanted to say for those who have concerns: yes, the 6 month age is awkwardmany other dogs will show dominance but that is pack life for the teen dog lol. It's easy to do. On one hard run toward me, I raised the lid, he stopped sat down and I swear his mind said "Oh DARN IT" walked away..lol I am hoping he will calm as the gets older, and I shall lay the trash lid down one day for the last time.good luck to you they are wonderful pets. Practice a lot at home, then in the yard. Make it a habit of reinforcing calm behaviors. I hate Ceasar Milans ideas and do not plan to bite my dog, etc., does anyone have any other ideas? She is about 9 months now and seems obsessed with ANY attentionpositive or in a pinch, negative. We've recently adopted a 10 week old deaf Aussie! My two Aussies will be 3 yrs old in December 2015 and they are FINALLY settling down. You can do "settle" by picking up her front legs from behind and wrapping your arms around her while she calms. My Aussies have full run of about 2 1/2 to 3 acres fenced yard and whenever they decide to go to the pastures to take a dip in the pond, they find a way out. Facebook Page This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. Your dog has envisioned another dog and now he is going bonkers. Circadian rhythm is just a fancy word that colloquially simply means biological clock. When I try to put my hand out to tell her off or settle, she will bite my hand and jump up even more. Cesar Milan said "A tired dog is a happy dog" and that is the honest truth! The dog park has turned our lives around. Over the course of several days, walk him closer and closer to the play area, but make sure he is kept calm. Start mixing up your walks with a few days of off-leash running at the Dog Park. Impulse control in dog training is just that; teaching a dog to control his impulses. Avoid at first the grassy areas where dogs urine marks as it may be too difficult for your dog to focus on you. She'll jump up repeatedly, bite at my boots, grab the ends of my jacket or clothing and thrash around if she can. Anyone else or other dogs outside of our family are terrorized by her aggression. Praise lavishly and reward. You start the car, and your dog is pacing back and forth in the car, possibly whining and whining. Then before we knew it, we left the lid behind, and he is turning 9 months old now and is the sweetest funniest dog we have ever owned. I have no idea how old the post is but if not too old hope it helps. NAS/Mini Breeders Dir. New Puppy Care You stop the car, as you have arrived. We use 'Stop it" This is day 3 and our enjoyment with walks and fetch work outs are now fun! She will chase and fetch several times before she becomes super excited and hyped up - and then she turns on me. If his behavior starts breaking apart, this is often a sign of progressing too fast. Just be patient and let them run as much as possible. If it's an escalation thing, how do we get her to exercise enough without being excited?Thanks for your help! (after all she is an aussielol), I had commented on my exact experience, this being our first Aussie.