AboutAnne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT Expertise I'm happy to answer questions about the Aussie breed and temperament, and basic information about working lines versus show lines, training your Aussie, grooming your Aussie, and what it's like to live with a dog breed that's smart and versatile, but isn't for everyone.
Experience Professional trainer, and Aussie owner.
Education/Credentials B.S., Diploma in Dog Obedience Instruction, Graduate, NY School of Dog Grooming, CPCT
Question Hello,
I have a 16 week old cattle dog / rotweiller mix. When
walking with him and my other dog (pit bull / boxer mix)
things are fine (mostly:) we are still working on some
stuff... a little different walking 2 dogs). The problem
is that they don't get tired enough walking... i used to
jog with my other dog when it was just her but when i try
it with the puppy he always jumps up and nips at me. I
have tried numerous times to correct this behavior but he
does not get it. So I have stopped jogging and just walk
with them. My ideal situation would be to get to a place
where we can jog with both of them. Do you have any
suggestions for me so i can correct this behavior he has?
Answer I'm partial to training dogs separately before walking them together. If each dog has a good foundation in polite leash walking, then it's so much easier to pair them up. No dog really gets enough exercise walking with a human:-)) So, I use tennis ball fetch, frisbees, flirt poles, treadmills, or any other means at my disposal to see that the dog gets enough. For mental exercise, which can be just as tiring, you can use interactive toys, such as Buster Cubes - I let my dogs have them while separated from the other dogs so there are no fights over the food that you insert in them for the dog to figure out how to get. Playing with other dogs tires them out better than anything, but some dogs aren't inclined to like physical play.
What you are seeing in this puppy is typical "herdy" behavior, and it's genetically pre-programmed. All good herders can be taught a shut off switch, but it only gets installed by training the dog. This dog needs to learn that "leave it" and "sit" gets him a reward and that jumping and nipping gets him NOTHING. So, you ignore him completely (even to the point of disappearing in to the bathroom without a word) for nippyness, and you reward him whenever he sits nicely instead!
Teaching "Leave It" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNAOe1djDyc
Loose leash walking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFgtqgiAKoQ&feature=channel
