Aa
Austrailian Shepard Puppy. My new baby!!
We adopted a full blooded Austrailian Shepard puppy that was given up because she is full of energy. I love her energy and she is incredibly smart. I have already housetrained her and taught her to fetch.
The problem is she bites at the kids when they are running in the yard. Not a vicious bite just trying to play with them. I don't want this behavior to continue. How do I make her stop doing that?
Also, I noticed she only eats a couple of kernals of food at a time and doesn't eat very much. Could this be because we have switched from the cheap OL'Roy the pound was feeding her to Purina puppy chow?
The problem is she bites at the kids when they are running in the yard. Not a vicious bite just trying to play with them. I don't want this behavior to continue. How do I make her stop doing that?
Also, I noticed she only eats a couple of kernals of food at a time and doesn't eat very much. Could this be because we have switched from the cheap OL'Roy the pound was feeding her to Purina puppy chow?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Another option for you is to post a question in the behavior forum in the Ask A Vet Expert section here at MedHelp. We have veterinary and animal behaviorists that can help you with ideas for training your little Aussie.
Although they are very appreciative of the focus Mr. Millan adds to behavior issues, most veterinary behaviorists and animal behaviorists are not in agreement with all of his methods. So, please, use good judgement when following some of his techniques. The walking at night is an example of a good technique while the "alpha roll" he has demonstrated is not.
It sure sounds like you are doing everything you can to give this little pup a GREAT home!
Although they are very appreciative of the focus Mr. Millan adds to behavior issues, most veterinary behaviorists and animal behaviorists are not in agreement with all of his methods. So, please, use good judgement when following some of his techniques. The walking at night is an example of a good technique while the "alpha roll" he has demonstrated is not.
It sure sounds like you are doing everything you can to give this little pup a GREAT home!
Thank you to both of you for your comments. I will try the eat now or wait idea on her. She does have a vet appointment this Saturday just to get a check up and make sure she is completely healthy.
I thought that she was herding the kids. Thank you, you are right it is in her blood and I have been wearing her out by playing fetch and teaching her to sit and stay. The pound says she is aproximatly 4 months old so I figured now is the best time to start working on training her. She is very smart so it has been a lot of fun working with her.
I also thought I would try some of the techniques I saw on Dog Whisperer and see if I start walking her at night if that helps with some of her hyperness.
I thought that she was herding the kids. Thank you, you are right it is in her blood and I have been wearing her out by playing fetch and teaching her to sit and stay. The pound says she is aproximatly 4 months old so I figured now is the best time to start working on training her. She is very smart so it has been a lot of fun working with her.
I also thought I would try some of the techniques I saw on Dog Whisperer and see if I start walking her at night if that helps with some of her hyperness.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Ghilly, as usual, is right on with her comments!! Aussies are well known for herding the kids throughout the backyard. Just monitor her so that she doesn't take it any further!!
Besides canned food...consider adding warm water to her food to make a gravy, you can also try a small amount of honey or lite Karo syrup. Believe it or not, some dogs like their kibble better cold!! So, try keeping some in the freezer to add to her bowl.
Ghilly's comment about scheduling is very good too. "Eat now or you have to wait" is the message you will send to her. Plus, portion control feeding 2 or 3 times daily has many health benefits over free feeding.
Congratulations!!
Besides canned food...consider adding warm water to her food to make a gravy, you can also try a small amount of honey or lite Karo syrup. Believe it or not, some dogs like their kibble better cold!! So, try keeping some in the freezer to add to her bowl.
Ghilly's comment about scheduling is very good too. "Eat now or you have to wait" is the message you will send to her. Plus, portion control feeding 2 or 3 times daily has many health benefits over free feeding.
Congratulations!!
She's a herding dog. She's herding the kids! Aussies have EXTREMELY strong instincts for herding, and this is something that is going to be very difficult to ever completely break her of because it is so deeply ingrained in her genetic make-up. When herding dogs work, they nip at the heels of the sheep, cattle, goats, whatever it is they are herding, so her behavior with the kids is perfectly normal for her breed. To her, kids are just sheep with sneakers!
It's difficult to say why she isn't eating a lot at a time. I would have her completely vetted to make sure there is no underlying physical cause that is behind it, and barring something like that, it's probably just her personal taste to eat little nibbles here and there. You CAN break her of that by putting the food down for about 30 minutes, and then pick it up and don't put it down again until it's time to eat again. She will learn that if she doesn't eat it when it's there, she'll miss out, kind of like you snooze, you lose, and she'll start eating what you put down when you put it down for her. You can try mixing a tablespoon or two of canned food with her kibble to make it more attractive to her. Many dogs don't like just plain dry food, and adding the canned food entices them to eat up.
Ghilly
It's difficult to say why she isn't eating a lot at a time. I would have her completely vetted to make sure there is no underlying physical cause that is behind it, and barring something like that, it's probably just her personal taste to eat little nibbles here and there. You CAN break her of that by putting the food down for about 30 minutes, and then pick it up and don't put it down again until it's time to eat again. She will learn that if she doesn't eat it when it's there, she'll miss out, kind of like you snooze, you lose, and she'll start eating what you put down when you put it down for her. You can try mixing a tablespoon or two of canned food with her kibble to make it more attractive to her. Many dogs don't like just plain dry food, and adding the canned food entices them to eat up.
Ghilly
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Dogs Community
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
