My dog nips at my heels whenever we try to jog together.?

Question

My 10 month-old half lab/half shar pei has a lot of energy, but she tries to herd me every time I try to jog with her. What gives?

Answer 1

How about you make a deal with her? She doesn't nip at you heels and ankles, you won't let your foot get in the way of her mouth?

Seriously, put a 6 ft LEASH on her and a collar that she will respect. Then we'll go through what you do with them.

At the moment she is playing "chase" - not "herd". 'Chase' is a fun game to dogs , particularly dogs with a high prey drive like most Labs. She is 'chasing' and 'catching' your heels and ankles (her 'prey'.) To understand what drives are, go here and fill out the test and read what the scores mean:

http://www.volhard.com/training/cpp.htm

It will stop being an amusing puppy game with her owner when she dives at another jogger or a child running past and connects with her teeth.

Collar and 6 ft lead in place on her. Make her get on your left side - not more than 8-12 inches out from you with her shoulder next to your leg. (That is 'heel' postion where all well-mannered dogs travel next to their owners.) Now gather up the lead so there is some slack but not enough that you will trip over it or she can veer far out to your left. Hold the end in your right hand and support the rest of the leash with your left hand, making a loop with about 8-10 inches on each side of the loop between your left hand and her.

Now jog off. When she tries to dive at your ankles and heels, you snap that leash up and forward, roar NO in a deep voice and sidestep to your left right into her and let her smack into your leg.

Do it everytime she does.

If she hasn't gotten the message after 8-10 times, the next time instead of just running into her, try to step on her front foot.

If she still doesn't clue in after getting her toes trod upon a few time, then escalate. When she dives for your ankles, snap the leash, roar NO and spin into her and 'fake' fall on top of and over her - make it good, you want to persuade her that she better watch out for this klutz and not go after ankles/heels or this uncoordinated person will trip and fall on her.


Now you both need a GOOD obedience class - and that is NOT Petsmart or Petco.

GO here to find contacts in you area that can help you locate and obedience trainer who works with all breeds and who does AKC obedience competitions competing at what they claim to teach – no proof of ability like winning:

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf...

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf... (set on all breeds)


http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf...

Even it they are an hour or more away, they will know other people all over the state.

Answer 2

She is having fun and very much enjoys being outside with you. I have a Sheltie that does the very same thing. It is annoying but I love him just the same. At 10 months old she has alot of puppy in her still. Hopefully she will be that way for another 3 years or more.

Answer 3

She wants to play with you but you need to stop her from do it any longer because she'll make a habit of it and then she won't stop when you tell her to. Also, try to change your shoes cos she's got sensitive hearing and she might be picking up on the sound your shoes are making. That's all i can really think of.

Answer 4

Your shoes might have a "squeek" to them, change shoes and try it again