Nipping
I have spent lots of time lurking on your forum and have found your info and advice very informative and helpful. And I have finally got organised and registered with your fantastic community. I have a 9 month old desexed, female sheepie (Tiggy) from a reputable breeder and I love her to bits. Yesterday when I was walking over to the pantry she gave me a tiny little nip on my butt. Didnt even hurt really just like a little pinch, but I got such a surprise I yelped. After I explained to my bemused husband why I was yelping we both fell about laughing while Tiggy sat with that look on her face of "what ARE you two going on about " I have read elsewhere that oes are a bit nippy so I thought it funny and as we were in a narrow space that she was just hurrying me along. But at the dog park today another dog owner (not an oes) freaked out when I told them and said she was being aggressive and that I should worry. We do obedience classes and she's really good although goes a bit crazy if other dogs run as she wants to chase. She's good with her food and wont eat till I give her permission and I can pat her head and take her bowl away. She mouths my hand if she's excited but doesnt bite. Is this normal sheepie behaviour that I can laugh at or should I worry and take action? Thanks in advance! |
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Usually stopped it by 9 months. If she does it again make a really loud noise like stamping your feet or something to give her a fright. Summer did this once or twice and I used to carry car keys in my pocket. Dropping these on the floor made her jump a mile and she stopped. I am sure others will offer advice as well.  |
| Actually it is a normal behavior for OES. It's part of the herding instinct. It just needs to be refined. Some OES have it stronger than other. My Melody, who had the strongest herding instinct, would nip at my knees when we were heeling in obedience. Her way of "keeping me in line". Not acceptable, especially in competitive obedience. I always used a loud "NO NIP" command when practicing. Eventually she got the point & realized I was not happy with that behavior. I have a girl in a show home that comes to visit on a regular basis. She will get excited out in the dog run if out only with me, race around & come in at me & nip. I've had to use a louder command with her & at times I have grabbed her face hairs to stop her in her tracks & told her "no". Nothing abusive or physical, just a way of breaking her train of action at the time enough to realize "WOW! She's not happy with me! Won't do that again!". They are smart dogs & will can pick up on our thoughts quite quickly sometimes. |
| Yup. Like people have said: normal. Not acceptable, but not really a sign of aggresssion either (did they people who made this comment have herding breeds???? )
Mace did it to me the other day. 2 1/2 years old. It's not habitual. They just forget themselves some times. When I yipped she looked shocked. Frankly, it didn't hurt and I had to control my urge to laugh since they really can't be allowed to do this to people, but it's nothing more than "herding" instinct in overdrive. No malice. Just an effort to control movement. Kristine |
| One of my sheepies that I bought as an adult,had been obedience and showtrained,she was sold to me because she was too short to win (and the breeders husband adored her and the wife didnt like that) so we had a "perfect" adult who did everything right,but she would do the little nip,and she never gave it up all her life.She only ever did it to me.And only very occassionally.We figured I was the erring sheep. |
Quote: but it's nothing more than "herding" instinct in overdrive
Tiggy definitely has herding instinct overdrive  She herds everything, our cat  , our dalmation, any dog, child or jogger at the park who is running 
We are trying very hard at obedience class to learn focus and she's getting lots better at not herding So perhaps she just needed a herding outlet and my butt was it 
I'd rather her give me the odd little nip on the butt as a hurry along to the pantry. You never know a treat might appear  than have her attempting to round up everyone who dares to run
And no; the "freaker outer" at the park owns a lovely big, lazy lab. So as the nip didnt hurt I will continue to yelp loudly if it happens again and treat it as "not polite" behaviour but not a sign that I have a psychopath on my hands
Thanks for your advice |
| And no; the "freaker outer" at the park owns a lovely big, lazy lab.
Our Lab, now over the bridge, was the worse butt nipper. He would only nip me and it was a signal it was time to play, he'd sneak up on me from behind, nip and run. ( yes, I'm a bad influence and 3 years later I miss those little purple marks on my bum )
Chauncey was like a furry alligator as puppy. Thank God he was cute, that was the only thing that saved him a few times . We found lots of good advice here and with using these techniques and maturation he's grown into a wonderful ( okay, by my standards ) dog. He has always been very oral. He loves to lay on my lap and knawl on my index finger, lick it, and knawl some more. He has done this since our ride home from the breeder.
He doesn't herd our grandchildren or dog guest, but he loves trying to herd the squirels and rabbits in the yard. |
| There you go, NEVER make assumptions about dogs based on breed.
But this lab doesnt, hasnt nipped and hopefully for him and his owner wont |
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