Buster
puppy
I own an Australian Shepherd
Posts: 1
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Post by Buster on Apr 28, 2005 20:52:03 GMT -5
We just got an australian shepherd, who simply won't listen. He's about three months old, and ignores everything we try to teach him. We've tried punishment, we tried rewards, we show him the action to "down" "sit" etc. when we ask him to, It just seems like everything we say goes in through one ear out the other. He will jump up, he will bite your pant legs and anything your holding. I mean I can't even pet him without having to hold him down. Every once in a while he is calm and will allow you to pet him, but when he's in a playful mood you can't get near him! I'm getting desperate here. We are planning on taking him to obediance school, but the vet said to wait until he gets his next shot. I don't know if I'll make it to then. Any pointers?
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Post by Tammi21 on Apr 28, 2005 22:43:05 GMT -5
I don’t know much about training dogs. But my first dog was a Border Collie beagle Mix, and he was the same way as your dog. He was just jump, jump, or flip and flop all over when he was a pup. From what I know about Australian shepherds they seem to be a lot like Border Collies. So here is what worked with my dog. Exercise, exercise, and more exercise, Walk him, run him and play with him. Get him tired out. I know it seems impossible but it can be dun. Once he has got rid of all that energy, he will be a lot easier to handle. And lastly make sure your australian puppy has a lot to occupy him. Some of these kind of dogs need a lot to occupy them or they develop necrotic behaviors . Its because they are so smart.
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Post by Laura on Apr 28, 2005 23:15:36 GMT -5
Whooaa, put the brakes on for just a moment ! You have a baby, and an energetic, non-english speaking one at that. Puppies don't come with the ability to "listen", they must be taught what you want, and the process takes months. How would you feel if someone walked up to you and started speaking Japanese, and then smacked you upside the head for not understanding them? Pretty bad, right? Think in those terms when dealing with a pup, and you'll get a good idea of life from their perspective. But the first thing is to get the pup on a leash and take it for a loooong walk, a tired puppy is a good puppy. You have just aquired a herding breed known for it's boundless energy and wickedly high intelligence. This is not a breed for the faint of heart or the unmotivated ;D, but they will astound you and reward you if you put the time and energy into them. Once the dog is tired out a bit, then you can start working on getting the dogs attention. The first thing you should work on is "watch me" or "focus". Take a small treat between your thumb and forefinger, hold it up on the bridge of your nose and say the command. As soon as the pup catches your gaze, praise and treat. Add on a few seconds each time if the pup starts to respond well. You can also step back from the pup as well, but only a step at a time, very gradually. You can also use a favorite toy for this excercise as well, just hold it lower down on the chin. But most of all, you need patience, loads of it. Taking the pup to basic training is an excellent step, stay with it and you'll have the dog you always wanted.
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