What a Bite!
|
|
| Dogs have no hands. So they use their mouths. If someone plays rough witht them, they will respond by using what is available, mouth and brute strength. It is not like they go running to tell on anyone, they just take care of it as they see fit.
Until no one is getting bit or chomped on, either your husband or you will have to monitor the play time with the kids. Most kids react when a dog grabs their hands by jerking or pulling away. When they do, they sometimes run their hands and arms across teeth and it looks like a bite, but it is actually a misjudgement that needs correcting. It would be great if the kids could do the correcting, but they do tend to over-react and to be as irrational as the dog. They are all going for YOUR attention. And they are all competing -- always. No, all sheepdogs do not bite, chomp, run over, bump, or otherwise tromp on people. But the ones who don't are trained. Training brings a form of communication and understanding. Dogs want to understand and someone in the family needs to help yours figure out that chomping, biting, or any other physical bullying will not be tolerated. BUT at the same time the dog needs some way of playing and interacting with all. Do not isolate him. Instead, train your kids how to act with the dog, how to care for the dog, and how to train the dog. Go to the library and see if there's not several training videos available. Check out books about dogs and read them with your kids. Make sure the dog learns how to COME and SIT for EVERY member of the house (using lots of small treats -- hot dog, liver, ...). Also make sure the whole family Participates in giving the dog play toys and helping him play with them. Whenever you have to punish the dog, make sure that you also ask it to do something like sit and you reward it sometime afterwards... keep the channels open and work on better behavior for ALL. PS: Do not allow your dog to ever bite even you. Say NO and reprimand the dog accordingly. Try to warn him that he will be reprimanded first. Be FIRM but FAIR. And do not let the dog ever know it has any type of advantage over you--size or might. If you read over old topics about aggression you will get a better picture and even better advice. One of our members made some very good observations and suggestions about aggressive behavior -- I think under this topic. Good Luck. And make sure you have fun with your dog and kids at least once a day! It makes it SO worth the trouble. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|