herding problems

[ambergkelly]

I have a 6 month old sheltie puppy, Roxy, and she has a very strong herding instinct. She doesnt do it to people though, only to our other dog, Cody, who is a golden retriever. She runs all around him biting his ankles, legs and sometimes grabs under his neck. I try to stop it when I see it, but they spend a lot of time outdoors together unsupervised. He was taking the abuse pretty well, but I think he is getting fed up I think and has been starting to snap back, and I am afraid he may hurt her, since hes about 80 pounds and shes only about 20. Any advise on how to get her to stop biting him? I dont want either one of them to get hurt or hate eachother!
Thanks!
Amber

 

[Crystal1]

Usually, the dogs can work these things out. The Golden Retriever will need to continue snapping and possibly small bites in order to teach the sheltie to stop herding him. The dogs have their own communication on these things and snapping and little bites, show the other dogs that they don't like it. I would continue to stop the sheltie whenever you see it, though.

 

[elaine2004]

Amber

I agree with Crystal they will work it out. The Golden will eventually get fed up and will retaliate and teach the pup to stop. Goldens are not agressive dogs and will show the pup who is Alpha and will probably go until the pup gives and shows submission. Just watch and make certain that it doesn't get too rough. Also remember she is not biting she's nipping, not full bite.

 

[ambergkelly]

I think shes doing a little more than just nipping. Sometimes when she grabs under his neck, she holds on so hard he actually carries her a few steps before she lets go and falls to the ground. Its starting to worry me, our golden never had any aggression issues before, but now hes getting very possesive of his toys and even my husband and I, and this only started as she started getting bigger and started "herding"

 

[Caro]

It sounds like the 'bitey game'. It is an instinctive game dogs play with each other where they try to nip each others ears and feet (and for some breeds neck as well).

I read a really interesting Masters thesis on the game. You might be able to find something on the internet about it (although I'm not sure what words to search on - wrestling maybe).

Don't worry about it. Your goldie sounds like he is handling it really well - I know at our local oval the big dogs that are good with little dogs and pups tend to let them get in more nips. It is also usual for older dogs to start inhibiting some of the silliness once the younger dog reaches its teens (around 9-12mths).

But it is good to watch the size difference between the two dogs. I had to stop my small sheltie playing with the neighbour's young lab because she was getting hurt from being squashed (now they just lick each other thru the fence). They can play again once the lab has calmed down a little.