I hav an 8 mth old cattle dog. got him at the pound when he was 6 weeks.?

Question

He just went thru 8 weeks of puppy training and it helped alittle he is potty trained and does listen to some commands but the 2 things i wanted addressed were not . the 1st one is jumping and playfully biting on my kid and people who come over he is getting big and it isnt as cute as it was when he was tiny. I have to get him to stop that he just doesnt realize how strong he is now and I hvae to isolate him everytime we have guests over i would like it if he would just be able to hang around so others can enjoy him he is a really nice dog when he is calm but he just has so much energy sometimes it is overwhelming. the other thing is just constant chewing ofanything he can get his mouth on shoes ,clothes ,wood, water hose it doesnt matter how many bones or chew toys he has he doesnt stop.please help?!?!?!

Answer 1

Cattle dogs are very intellegent, very active and always thinking. You may think you are giving him enough exercise but when you think that you need to think again. These dogs are non-stop and even then they will get up and go some more. You have to do something every single day to tire out these dogs. Suggestions is getting into flyball and frisbee. Also herding dogs are bred to use those teeth to nip and snip at the cattle and sheep. It gets them moving and give the dog some leverage against a larger animal. The nipping is in his blood.
Before you start any training, you have to try get some energy out. Get a few days off so you can do this consistantly for a few days. Get your husband or any adult involved. Get out there play with him for 45 minutes or more non stop, throwing balls and what ever. Then bring him in, simulate a situation you are worried about with a willing participant. put on a cloth or chain choker collar up at the top of his neck right behind his ears. Put on a leash and get wrapped up in your hand. Bring him into the situation, when he begins to jump up, you give him a quick snap on the chain and say down or something to get his attention. Make him sit. When he does give him a treat or quick pat. Dont spend alot of time on praise. Keep doing this about 15 minutes. Break up training, if he seems to respond very well, as a good treat take him back out and throw the ball a few times, bring him back in, and try again and again. Your kids need to help too. Rather than shy away or scream or carry on you need to get your kids to say no and sit. The need to not be afraid and be dominant with the dog. Do this for several days. Dont forget it takes a bit and lots of practice.
Chewing is a bordom issue. Hes booooored. Your housecleaning needs to be tip top. Dont let things around that he can chew on. When you catch him the same thing, a stern no or a noise to get his attention, take it away replace it with the proper chew toy. Consistancy and persistance. If his mind is keep healthy he will stop chewing. Give him a chew toy he need to really work at. A large, Uncooked marrow filled Cow leg from the butcher. Just remember, Exercise, Consistancy, Training, Persistance, and Patience. These are all required with puppies and 7 fold with cattle dogs.

Answer 2

A cattle dog is a herding dog, they are very high energy. Its normal for them to nip at the kids because they are acting like the adult and are trying to "herd" them. Make sure you tell him no everytime he jumps up, it will take awhile but if you work with him he will stop the biting. As for the chewing on things dont give him stuffed animals or anything plastic because then anything around the house he will think its his toy. Try rawhides or bones that have the marrow in the middle of them. When you see him chewing something tell him no, and give him a time out. Put him in his cage for 10 min or something like that.

Answer 3

First off that is your fault that he continues to jump. What you unintentionally did was encourage that behavior.

What you(family & friends) need to do from this point forward is ingore him when he jumps. You do not acknowledge him until he has all four paws on the ground. When he jumps on you, turn your back on him and/or move away so that he can not jump on you.

Another thing to do, is put him on a leash. When people come over you keep him restrained until he settles down. Then if he tries to jump on them, pull his leash and tell him "no jump".

You must be consistant in your training.

Another piece of advise that I would give you is to get a positive training books/DVD's at amazon.com

They will help you in many areas.

Chewing problems: Get Bitter Apple spray. You can get it at your local pet store. Spray this on things he chews on that is not his. You must also work with him on what he can and can't chew on. This might sound strange, but if you catch him chew on something he shouldn't take that item, pound it on the ground and say bad. Yell at the item. That helps too.

Most important be consistant in your training!!

Get some positive DVD's today!!

Answer 4

Well it sound like you have you hands full. I have an Aussie puppy who's about 3 1/2 months and he does the same.
Hes getting better at listening to me when i say to stop.

First about the biting:
If you say "no" when he does something wrong you should start saying "eh" or "ahyy" And when you are talking to him look him in the eye. don't do this with just any dog though. hes a cattle dog and the way they get that animals to listen to them is by starring them in the eye. I tried it with my dog and it works like a charm. When he does listen to you give him a treat and lots of praise.

and the chewing thing: that takes a lot of work. my dog loves to chew on blankets and towel.ahhhh. when he does it say "eh" or "ahyy" and then then pull it out of his mouth. If he knows the command drop it etc. then say that and when he listens tell him good boy and pet him.

Hope this helps. Its different with every dog though.