Foot Biting

[mimiretz]

Oberon is getting better at not nipping at our hands, but is now biting at our feet and legs when we walk or are sitting. He seems especially drawn to my feet when I'm wearing socks, and to pant legs. We say ow in very hurt voices, but it doesn't seem to phase him at all - any other suggestions? Sometimes I can "trade" him one of his squekee toys for my pant legs, or can get him to sit and let go, but not always; and truthfully it's an annoying habit that he needs to just stop.

 

[Jeff]

Odin does this to my kids. They say the ow thing to with no luck. I give him one stern NO with that look and he knows whoops I need to stop. The key here is Odin is trained to know exactly what No means esspecially with the look. My wife uses it as well. The kids try but they can't do the stern voice so he doesn't listen as well. I know it's hard to have the stern look and voice with your baby but I think that's where I'd start. I'm a big fan of positive training but I believe a puppy esspecially needs to know he's not in charge. If your pups hearding instincts are that strong though you may need to find a way to redirect the behavior.
Good luck and let us know what finally works.

 

[Caro]

It is usually a herding thing - Shelties are one of those breeds to nip when herding. Redirecting is your best bet. They do eventually redirect themselves when they get the hang of it.

For something like that though don't say ow. He's getting a reaction out of you, which is exactly what he wants. Use the stand like a tree approach. Stand completely still and don't say anything, don't give him any attention at all. Wait until he backs off before walking again. Might take him a few goes to get it.

 

[trini]

Caro's "stand like a tree" works well...and for the really hard ones who still push the issue I have resorted to spraying my socks/pant legs with bitter apple. Between the stand/no reaction and the bad taste of bitter apple you should be able to break this herding habit.

Trini

 

[tesslynn]

be firm

Oberon is getting better at not nipping at our hands, but is now biting at our feet and legs when we walk or are sitting. He seems especially drawn to my feet when I'm wearing socks, and to pant legs. We say ow in very hurt voices, but it doesn't seem to phase him at all - any other suggestions? Sometimes I can "trade" him one of his squekee toys for my pant legs, or can get him to sit and let go, but not always; and truthfully it's an annoying habit that he needs to just stop.

Kaleigh had a thing about my feet in socks-OMG. One day her nip was a bit strong and I reached threshold, in a lower stern voice I said a firm NO!, followed by a slight growl from me, she got that I meant biz, it took only the once, because it was out of character for me to respond that way. She realized I was serious about it not happening again. I think the growl was the ticket, because I hadn't done that before.

*wasn't it you that recommended/read the other end of the leash? I am reading through that and really enjoying her insights. with two lil monsters I am trying to really be precise and direct so there is no confusion in communication. But some days are just more taxing on me than others, because if one is doing well the other is pushing the limit, ah give me strength to endure puppyhood Because some days(especially the colder ones when we can't be outside as much to burn off that puppy pep) I just question WHY I thought two would be a good thing, ha.

 

[Emmasmom]

At five, Emma still likes to grab my pant leg. I bend over, shove her away and say stop. She does. I have done this since she was a puppy. She doesn't do it often now, but it is when I am walking away from her, usually just after I get home, and she wants my attention and some cuddles.