Nippy Shepherd...What do I do?

Question

My 2 Year old SAR German Shepherd nips people...I've alpha rolled him, but he still insists on nipping. What do I do?
He' fixed, and has never posted a threat to anyone before. He does bark at anyone who come thru the door, but after he realizes who it is, he backs off. He's enrolled in Shutzhund, obedience, agility, everything, so he's not bored. I'm lost...help.

Answer 1

Sorry, I read your other question first.

Something I have also noticed about dogs in general is that if there is stress in the home, that could cause some adverse behavior. Shephards are naturally protective of "their" family. If they sence any kind of a threat, they are right there to defend their assetts. I don't know if you have kids, or tons of activity in your home. I can only make a guess here. Pay attention to the noise level in your home. Is there a lot of yelling? Or a lot of traffic through the home...more people that your shephard doesn't know, or angry people? (even if the people don't show their anger, the dog can sence it) This could be part of the problem.

I realize that you have your dog enrolled in many different classes, but these (I don't think) have a lot to do with running off excess energy. It's important for shephards to be able to do that. Taking your dog to these classes is always good, but are you sure that he isn't bored? You definitely aren't! You are going through tons of work for your dog! See if it doesn't help to let him run with you, or have periods of time that he is allowed to really play. Give it a try.

Answer 2

The only thing that ever worked for my first German shepherd (also a SAR dog, btw) was to hold his muzzle firmly shut every time he nipped and give him a verbal correction in a very sharp tone.

And if it's any consolation, male Sheps usually start settling down about the time that they turn 5. I realize that makes for a long 3 years and since he's in search, he can't be allowed to nip. But eventually he will probably settle down on his own, if nothing else works.

Nipping is common problem behavior in herding breeds, and if the problem persists, you might try to find someone who does actual herding work with their dog. I'm sure they also know ways to extinguish the behavior.

The best of luck to you and your dog. SAR is a lot of hard work and hard training, but the rewards when you save a life are incredible!

Answer 3

"alpha rolling" is not an act that is like a switch. What you are trying to do is become trusted as a leader and earn your dogs submission. It is a way you have to live with your dog. If he is nipping you then you have a lot to do to make your dog to submit to you. If he nips others then you have to get him to understand that you don't need his protection and his actions are not acceptable.

If you can watch Cesar Milan on the National Geographic channel, watch how he gets people to change their body language so the dogs know their owners are both in charge and calm. Get his video if you can't get his show on TV.

Once you have control of your dog you will have to find an eager volunteer that will be a training tool for you to show your dog how he is supposed to treat other people and even animals. You need to be firm and in control and calm NOT tough, mean or angry.

What is your household like? Is it loud and out of control? If so your dog may be trying to get the pack in order. Just as you can learn to use your hand as a mouth to nip him into control, you may just be seeing your dog doing exactly this to get his pack in order because there is no other leader of the pack. If this is not the case please ignore this part. :)

Answer 4

You can not work this dog in SAR until he stops this behavior! Most people doing SAR do not also do Schutzhund with thier dog. If you want to continue with him in SAR I would stop the bite work on him now. Get him socialized more at obedience, and correct this behavior now as soon as you see it. The last thing you want is this dog biting one of is finds in SAR. A friend of mine had his finger bitten off by a dog on the team. Needless to say, that dog was kicked off the SAR team.

Answer 5

Get his attention by spraying him in the nose with a water bottle. Tell him "NO". Is he nippy because people are trying to pet him? Does he jump at strangers? I usually grab my Schnauzer by the nose and say "no bark". This works for him. Barking issues depends if you want the dog to bark or not. You have to tell him what you want him to do. Show him, but be kind to him. Dogs really want to please their masters. Mine almost speak english. =o) Good Luck!

Answer 6

It still sounds like a dominance issue.

Was he recently neutered? If so,it's possible he's still working all those 'young dog' hormones out of his system from that last little bit.

If not? He needs to learn that the other humans,not just you,are dominant. It sounds like he's running the house. It also sounds like you know how to handle a dog... =) he's your buddy,from the sound of it. ...but you need to work this out.