OES aggressive with toddler
Our Hans is a sweet boy when he chooses to be and is usually good with the baby, but his interactions with our three year old are starting to get worrisome. He has always seemed to view her as a playmate, but now that he is getting bigger and stronger, his playful behaviors are becoming more aggressive so much so to the point where she no longer wants the dog around her at all. Every time our daughter is not sitting still, Hans will chase after her and/or jump at her and nip her arms/legs, as well as constantly trying to "herd" her into the nearest wall. The herding I can handle to a point, but the nipping is clearly NOT acceptable and hurts her, and my husband and I are at our wits end! Hans has been through a 6 week obedience school and passed with flying colors. He was like a different dog when we went to the classes - calm, collected, and very smart with learning his commands. He still obeys his basic commands (sit, stay, lay down, wait, etc.) but it seems he just gets way too excited and playful around the kids and I'm not sure how to fix it. We currently have a corrective collar for him which works when he's actively nipping/jumping/herding our daughter (we use the "no" beep tone on the collar and he immediately turns and leaves her alone) but as soon as he thinks we're not looking or paying attention, he's right back to it. Any help, advice, or tips would be greatly appreciated! We got an OES because our research showed that they are great family companions and super sweet. Hans is often the opposite. I have high hopes for him but something's gotta give!! Thank you. -SJ |
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| Hi there. Sounds like you have an active household! A couple of thoughts. First, your 9 month old OES is still in the clutches of "puppy brain", which, while frustrating, is completely normal. Hans has the impulse control of a toddler, and the energy level as well. (A rapidly growing toddler.) Try to keep that in mind when he is acting like a crazed lunatic, as his body size is vastly outpacing his maturity level. So you already know about the sheepdog as a herding breed. Hans is merely doing what he is bred to do, albeit with small children and not sheep. While a "normal" behavior for this breed, it is certainly not appropriate to do with humans, especially small ones that can easily get run over. I would use exercise and obedience training (with the nummiest treats) to wear Hans out physically and mentally, as a tired dog is much less reactive in general. I would also caution the kids to try not to run when with Hans, as that seems to be a trigger for him to get overly stimulated. As I'm sure you already do, monitor the interactions between the kids and the dog, and use baby gates to keep them separated so that the kids can play, and the dog can be in close proximity without trying to herd them. This doesn't sound like aggression, but more like motion reactivity. I would work on the basic obedience commands with Hans (sit, down, stay, etc.) and eventually involve your daughter, when Hans is calm enough and understands the commands. Use the tastiest treats you can find (Oscar LOVED freeze-dried liver - YUK!), and reward his good behavior over and over. If you discipline and punish Hans for his over-enthusiasm without redirecting his behavior to something positive, you run the risk of having him associate the punishment to being around your daughter, which isn't the outcome you are looking for. Eventually, Hans' brain will grow into his body and he will not be quite so enthusiastic. OES are great family pets, but they do take a little extra management during the puppy months to get them through the nippy stage. Hope this helps! Laurie and Oscar |
Thank you so much! We will go restock on the training treats and start back from square one again with him  I appreciate the advice and it makes me feel MUCH better that it doesn't sound like he's being aggressive! I was worried about that most of all. |
No sweat. Oscar is deaf, and EXTREMELY motion reactive. I think most of it stems from the herding instinct, as they are bred to react to the quick movement of the sheep, though some dogs are way more in tune with it than others. Couple that with the tiny brain  and small children, and the dog literally can't help himself. Did you ever see "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" If so, a running child to a sheepdog is like yelling "Shave and a Haircut".  TWOOOOOOO BITS!!!!!!!!!Also, OES tend to herd physically, which is why they are built so solidly/squarely in the chest. Breeds like border collies use their eyes to stare the herd down, but OES physically cut sheep off and knock them "ass over teakettle". They also nip to get the sheep to move. Hans is merely expressing his gene pool, though he needs to curb these behaviors in order to live in polite society.  Some of this will settle out as his brain catches up with his body. Until then, I did everything that I suggested to you - I wore Oscar out physically and mentally. I just made sure that I worked through it in a positive manner, calmly and consistently, even when I was so frustrated I wanted to strangle him with my bare hands.  Lots and lots of deep breaths! Nothing makes a dog more anxious than not knowing what to expect, so harsh or inconsistent discipline is counter-productive, and may increase the behaviors you are trying to work on.Oscar was reactive to cars (understatement of the century - he was a black and white Tasmanian Devil), and we lived on a busy street. I started to put him in a sit-stay whenever a car was coming, with a dried liver treat for him to focus on. It took a couple of weeks of very, very short walks, but after a couple of weeks, he would see a car and put himself in a sit-stay, waiting for his treat. From your description, I don't see anything that resembles aggression, just a boisterous OES puppy. Obviously your first priority is to protect your kids from getting run over, so when you can't monitor everyone's interactions, it might be best to use gates or a crate, but never as punishment. If you are going to gate or crate Hans, give him something awesome, like a peanut butter filled Kong to keep him occupied and happy. One day, before you know it, Hans will be a big boy, with a big boy brain, and you will forget what a nut he was as a puppy. Almost. Laurie and Oscar |
| Thanks again for all of the advice! We had our daughter work with Hans (and us) with his basic commands last night and coincident or not, he was like a different dog towards her afterward. We will keep working on it and hopefully he will learn his rank soon!! |
| Hi, I just thought I would tell you my experience. Maybe it can help you. I have a 10 month old OES. I also have 1 year old, and 4 year old boys. So I can completely relate! I had the same problem. It's just innocent playing, but it does get so frustrating. It has been a very time consuming process to fix at our house. I am very big on positive reinforcement. So what I've been doing at our house is, always monitoring play between kiddos and dog. Anytime I see the puppy going to bite I quickly say no no. Not yelling or panicked. Just simple. If he refrains from biting I click a clicker and give a treat. Any time he does a behavior I like I click and treat. I did this every time they all play together. This way he learns what is expectable, and what isn't. It was very time consuming, but it has worked wonders at our house. If you don't have a clicker you can always just say yes, then give a treat. Honestly I have no idea what I'm doing. Ha ha! But it's working at our house. My boys can run around like wild animals, and our puppy Lloyd runs right along. He still has to fight that puppy biting urge, and makes mistakes, but we just ignore it and reward the good. Hopefully this helps you a little. Or you can find comfort that I had the crazy idea to add a giant puppy into an already crazy house of young kids too. Ha ha! |
| Good! Clicker training shuts the brain off immediately from being a herding to a dog seeking reinforcement. I might also add it is time the three year old gets involved in walking the beast. Time for an adult and 3 year old to leash up the dog and go for a walk together. The dog must NOT in be front, but rather at the side as taught in class. At some point the 3 year old can add her hand to the leash, in front of yours and closer to the dog so the dog believes the mini is in charge of the leash, thus showing dog itty bitty human is in charge. Also have the dog sit/stay and have the 3 year old feed the dog...put the food on the floor and give eat command. Puppy is still learning and is trying to take over command from the 3 year old, you have to put your daughter back in the #2 position. You'll do the same with the baby over time. In fact when walks become normal, have the baby in a stroller and make it a family affair so pup learns he is part of the family, not the ruling member. |
| My kids are older, 16,13 and my darling 9 year old daughter who can't sit still or walk to save her life. See where I am heading??? I have 3 dogs. Steel the monstrous (he is big) OES being the latest addition! I again had an in home trainer come in to work with all of the dogs, myself and the kids. Best thing ever if you can fit it in. They work in your familiar surroundings and with all of you. My daughter was the one taking the "pinches" in the fanny as she ran through the house and sorry but I laughed at her. He never left a mark on her and she knew better than to run! He taught her very quickly how to run and stop him from nipping and when to run. No more nipping occurs. He is older now. Close to a year and 1/2 and it's been quite awhile since that has occurred. He has plenty other "tricks" he is occupied with. I believe the key is a busy brain. He still "herds" I guess every now and then by pushing people with his booty. I suppose I could work on that but I kind of like it and thus far he hasn't done damage. I do remember thinking he was growing way to fast in the first year and being amazed at how I could wake up one morning and he looked taller or longer. Learning process for the puppy as well as the 2 legged family members. |
| I don't know what to tell you, you got a herding dog. That isn't aggressive behavior, it's herding behavior. Your dog needs a job, get into obedience, herding, rally-o, agility, earth dog...something to keep your dog occupied. I have a 5 yr old sheepie and a 17mo old son. (I also have a border terror mix) They love each other like no other. My sheepie has her cgc, cgca, does rally-o, starting agility and my trainer uses her as an exhibit dog. Yup she is well trained. However, she is still a sheepie. You run in my house, expect to have a sheepdog on your heels and expect to be knocked over. (My sheepie did this to my mom when she was trying to run from my 17mo old son last week, who has already learned there is no running in the house) She still has trouble honoring when other dogs or people are in motion. Just a little preview of what my house is like...ALL THE TIME  |
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