WOW I just got wiped out
Well, he's been GREAT here. Absolutely not a single problem with roughness with the kids or us. His only issue until today- which we are working on - is charging doors. He has to be the first one out and the first one in every door. With two other sheepdogs (one elderly) and three children, this is a big problem, and he is definitely improving. Just a few minutes ago, all three dogs were running around outside with all of the kids, and I had my neighbor's one year old baby in my arms. Out of the blue, I was on the ground. Literally, standing, talking, in the middle of a sentence and then SPLAT. He absolutely leveled me, and somehow I did not drop or crush the baby (*many thanks being said). My friend/neighbor was standing two feet from me, and neither of us saw it coming at all. He PLOWED me. Looking back at the situation, neither of us think he had any intention of coming at me in particular, he was just chasing and I was in his path. But it was totally unexpected, and obviously really dangerous (I am definitely going to be bruised, fortunately that's all!) If this had happened to an older person, or even if I were in a different position, it could have been another knee, or even a hip. I have serious back problems and my neighbor instantly thought "Her back!", but it was fine...I was lucky. How do I change this behavior? He's been with us for nearly four months and this is the first we've experienced anything outside of his door-charging issues. He's got a huge "herd" of kids with mine and our neighbors who he is with everyday, I need to make sure we're all safe! |
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| Wow thats remindes me of my dogs when they are in hyper mode, on our bush walks, you have to watch and move I really think they zone out at times. And believe it or not they are much better when they have short hair, see better I quess. |
Quote: Just a few minutes ago, all three dogs were running around outside with all of the kids...
We have to watch too. They get so darned focused on playing. It's like they're chasing prey... it's like tunnel vision. It's also why dogs get hit by cars... they become oblivious to what's going on around them. My girls LOVE to chase my black schipperke-mix and she loves to be chased. They can get too intent on herding her so play needs to be stopped. Try to be observant and predict what they're apt to do. Stand off to the side more and out of their play path. If you see them heading your way, give a holler to snap them out of that focus and become aware of where YOU are. Clickers will sometimes break the intensity of play too. I sometimes let the girls play and then call them over for a treat (they have to sit), then release them again. Another way to prevent this is to not let everyone out to play at one time. If you have little ones or a baby in the yard, you might also only let one dog out at a time and rotate them. Or try to exhaust them first before the humans get together with them. I'm sure others will have more ideas to share. I'll be interested too! |
| Hi,
Glad you're okay except for a few bruises. It could have been just the heat of excitement that Chap was unaware until he rammed into you. So perhaps a true accident and not due to his previous behavior. At one of the dog parks I used to visit, we had an elderly lady break her ankle when she stood in the middle of the field where the dogs were in a very excited game of play/chase. Had to luv her when she didn't talk of lawsuit regarding the dogs, but admitted she had been standing in the middle of their play. I've seen it often at the dog offleash dog park I now visit with Panda , I see the dogs running full speed in a game totally unaware of the people. Most will stand off to the side away from them but sometimes people have their backs turned and the dogs can quickly turn direction. It can happen easily enough and is accidental. I'm usually the one yelling "look out behind you" or "careful they are starting to run". Reminds me of a bunch of galloping horses. Panda will occasionally bump into another dog or bench as he's visually impaired in one eye. (Panda has never had full coat either) I always warn other dog owners about this and recommend we all move off safely to the side. Sometimes it's easy to get distracted by conversation but as it's my boy most likely to bump into someone or something I'm always watching. That's my only advice..6 girls is righ,t no harm meant by the dogs..just tunnel vision in the excitement of play so just move out of the way until they get pooped out. Wow you held that baby!! You're a hero and have lightening reflexes! Again glad you're okay. Marianne |
| One time, a few years ago, my Aussie Shepherd China caught me by surprised and jumped up on me and hit me in the shoulders with both front paws and I went out of my sandals about a foot. She did it so quickly that I didn't realize what had happened until it was over with. My sandals where still where I had stood. She has never done this again.
Anyway, I hope this gets worked out...you've been given great advise. |
| OMG! I'm so glad you and the baby are OK!!!! |
Yikes!  So glad you and the baby are okay.  |
| Wow! Glad everyone is OK. My solution is to try to keep a solid object between me and the dogs......post, tree, car and to assume any running towards me is AT me and to take action. Of course I've been blind sided a few times and have the knee to prove it.
Chap is a high energy dog and needs his runs.......as for the door,  that's why I no long have a latch on the front storm door. Jack long ago eliminated that with his sheepdog butt, head, or paw.......BAM! I know, uprights go thru the door first......not here unless I yell, "Me First" or "Stay".........usually on my way to the bathroom, otherwise I let them go thru the door first.
As much as I'd like a storm door that doesn't need to be locked to remain shut, I'd rather not have another one broken. |
| Each of our sheepdogs had his own way of letting us know he wanted to come in from outside. Our first, Grizzly, ran full speed at the door from 50 or more feet away and just slammed into the door. He managed to cave in the storm door and we had to replace it. We could never break him of it.
Our second sheepdog, McDuff, was so glad to see me when I came home from anywhere that he would jump up, unlatch the storm door and come at me full bore like a locomotive. After being bowled over a few times I learned to sidestep at the last minute. These are big, playful, high-energy dogs. It's what makes them the delight that they are. It's best to stay alert. |
| glad all are both okay.
Does he "bump" up against you at other times? I ask because Marley does this when she is nervous but my trainer says I should lightly bump her back. Apparently bumping is disrespectful in dogs. I no longer allow either of them to bump and at dog park my Morgan is the only dog that doesn't run into people - no matter how hard he is playing - well once on the ice but he did try to stop. 
now the one year old golden that he plays with - thats another story  |
kerry wrote: Apparently bumping is disrespectful in dogs.
Does that include those pokes with the nose? Lucy is constantly poking me when she thinks I have forgotten her. Usually it goes something like: poke...Have you...poke....forgotten my....poke...dinner...poke?!?  |
| I am not sure which is more annoying the cold wet nose poke or the paw swipe.
As for being disrespectful or not I don't know it never came up - I can see where it might be though. I usually just screech (not planned ) when given a cold rude nose poke and they stop it for a while |
| Thanks for the advice and the well-wishes. I'm bunged up good but just fine overall.
Violet: knocked you right out of your shoes!
Kerry, he really doesn't bump me or anybody else at all. I think Marianne said it best - totally unaware of the people. Lesson to me to be more aware, right? SheepieBoss has it right - he needs his runs! He gets his runs everyday, but heck-fire I'm staying out of range from now on!  |
| George has no idea of his size or how much space he needs to get past things and is forever bumping into things and people (though it has to be said mostly people)
However when he is nervous he tends to run towards us more I think he feels safer when he is close. I've had a few cuts and bruises from being ran into Glad that you and the baby are both ok. Hope you are not too sore in the morning! |
| Glad both you and the baby are ok. Totally in play mode and not seeing what happens to be right in front of them is soooooo true. The first days we had Gar he ran head first into a tree. He should have been hurt. This past winter saw me sitting on the ground and not realizing how that happened too. I was walking and the next thing I knew I was on the ground, and I didn't slip on the ice and both dogs looking at me thinking what are you doing down there. |
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