Help! My Border Collie nips too much

[emilie]

I am new to this border collie thing. I thought that it would be a walk in the park. So far it has been very easy most of the time, he learns very quickly once I learn what to do with him. What I do not know is how to get him to stop nipping at my children. They are 9 and 6, he leaves the baby alone for the most part, and when he wants to play he nips at them kind of hard. I know he is just playing but it still hurts. Sully the dog is about 8mo old. Any ideas?

[pitbullsrock]

Well first thing you need to do is make sure your children are not renforcing the behavior by continuing to pet or talk to the dog when he does this. Once you make sure they are not doing this the best way i find to teach the dog not to nip is simply to ignor him when he does it. Bassicly if he is nipping at hands then turn away from him look up to the sky and fold your arms. compleatly ignor him till he settles down then give him a sit command then pet him. if he does it again repete the process. if he is nipping at heals then every time he does it imidiatly remove him from the situation, crate him or put him in another room for a couple min. repete this till he gets the idea. another good thing to do is yell ouch as if you are really hurt every time he nips. Good luck and remember collies are very high strung dogs and need lots of things to do. they dont like sitting around for too long.

[Sue]

He's trying herd your children, that's what Border Collies do. They also need a TON of exercise, leash walking won't cut it. They need to run and be stimulated. BC's are very smart dogs, they need a job.

http://www.bordercollie.org/

[msvette2u]

That is a border collie's nature. You apparently didn't research the breed too much or you'd have been prepared for this. Sometimes cute puppy-ness wins over sensibility and you wind up with a dog that has traits you cannot live with. That's why the shelters are so overwhelmed with these animals.
If you have not yet, you need to enroll the dog in training classes because YOU need to be trained on how to deal with his behaviors. That should help alot.
But remember that he'll always be a border collie so this is something that may not go away all together but should be able to be modified to where it's livable.
pitbullsrock brings up a valid point that your kids may encourage it especially if they yell or squeal when it is taking place. That will only serve to excite the dog and increase the behavior.

[redridinghood1313]

I agree about the job part. Most dogs want a job desperately.
Check your area for flyball, herding or other clubs and training classes. Give him an outlet and a means of success.
If he has a place to race like a maniac or herd, you can teach him that the behaviour is appropriate in a certain place, at a certain time, and he may stop herding the kids.

[emilie]

Thanks, I did know that it was the Border Collies nature to nip. This is my dogs way of saying hey lets play. It is not appropriate in that sense and I am looking to modify it. I am already in classes with him and he is a great easily trainable dog. Don't worry he will not end up in a shelter.

[Luigi]

He's trying herd your children, that's what Border Collies do. They also need a TON of exercise, leash walking won't cut it. They need to run and be stimulated. BC's are very smart dogs, they need a job.

http://www.bordercollie.org/

Good post.

They will herd anything they can if they are not stimulated, busy, and well trained.

Have you tried any training classes or agility? If you can find the time, these dogs are great at agility, and it is very stimulating for them. :)

[Sue]

Agility, flyball or even herding trials. Seems like he has a knack for that :)

[suki]

Thanks, I did know that it was the Border Collies nature to nip. This is my dogs way of saying hey lets play. It is not appropriate in that sense and I am looking to modify it. I am already in classes with him and he is a great easily trainable dog. Don't worry he will not end up in a shelter.


Glad to hear you're working with him!!!!!, and that he will be shelter-free!!!!!
you go girl!!!!!:D

[portraitz]

Just have to share, I have a friend who's BC was not a nipper...except for my friend's elderly mother in law! That pooch just didn't think the old lady was moving fast enough...but a nip or two got her hopping!

Horrified my friend, so embarrassed, and her dog didn't do it to anyone else. Can you imagine?

Can I ask if you guys really think ignoring, rather than correcting, works better? I'm of teh "matter of fact" correcting school of thought.

[DiggityDogs]

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[emilie]

My dog has gotten a lot better about it. He realizes that the kids are not going to play if he nips. We used two things recomended by our trainer one was a simple water gun and the other was the citronella coller that we were able to spray when he nipped both worked quite well.

[DiggityDogs]

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