My Sheltie thinks i'm a sheep.

Butter is a good suggestion. Lotion also works well for teaching bite inhibition. Here are some other suggestions from our training "bible": http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/teaching-bite-inhibition

Buffy also LOVES to herd. For her first and second birthday I actually let her herd sheep! She did very well. Anyway, getting something for your dog to herd does help. You can harness that herding instinct in many ways. Throwing a ball and playing fetch, agility, flyball, obedience, rally, etc.

Don't let your dog get away with the herding behavior. Nip it in the bud. You need to do this times three because you've let your dog get away with it so long. Practice "let's go" and "heel" a LOT, both inside and outside. Buffy likes to herd little kids, but I've never allowed her to get away with it. Any acceptable "chase" or herding behavior should be a reward that the dog has to earn, not something the dog does without your permission. You know how a lot of trainers use treats? I use chase for a reward often.

My new way to get rid of Buffy's herding behavior is to go to the park and play on the swings. She chases my ankles and has a grand old time. In general, if you keep your dog well-exercised and mentally stimulated it will help the herding a lot.

Good luck!
 
Hi April!
Lots of puppies will do that. I have a feeling you somehow reinforcing this behavior that is why it is lasting so long. What you would like Leon to do instead of nipping you? Every time he nips ask for what you want and build behavior you want to see. Behavior that is not being reinforced usually does not persist. If it means carrying food on you at all times or tug toy then do it.
 
leonlove said:
Oh, believe me, I saw a blue merle sheltie pup today at the pet store, and almost couldn't resist. I'll definitely be getting another sheltie eventually though :yes:
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am not sure about pet stores where you are but most of them are supplemented from puppy mills and buying from pet store is REALLY bad idea...
 
SheltieChe said:
am not sure about pet stores where you are but most of them are supplemented from puppy mills and buying from pet store is REALLY bad idea...
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I do agree with you on that for the most part :yes:

This was an SPCA puppy adoption they were holding at the pet store.
 
Just stop and when you take the first step after stop again. Sca will only head butt me now but used to try to nip as a pup.
 
SheepOfBlue said:
Just stop and when you take the first step after stop again. Sca will only head butt me now but used to try to nip as a pup.
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That's what I did with Bailey as a puppy. If she tried to herd me while I was walking, I would stop dead in my tracks and then she would stop trying to nip me. Then I would slowly take one step forward, praise and treat her for being calm. Eventually, I'd pick up speed to my normal walking pace. I'd continue to praise and treat her for not herding me.
Also, if she did nip me, I would scream in a high pitched voice "OW!" and act upset. Shelties like to herd their sheep, but they don't want to hurt them. Only took a few days and Bailey stopped herding me.
 
Just stop and when you take the first step after stop again. Sca will only head butt me now but used to try to nip as a pup.
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That's what I did with Bailey as a puppy. If she tried to herd me while I was walking, I would stop dead in my tracks and then she would stop trying to nip me. Then I would slowly take one step forward, praise and treat her for being calm. Eventually, I'd pick up speed to my normal walking pace. I'd continue to praise and treat her for not herding me.
Also, if she did nip me, I would scream in a high pitched voice "OW!" and act upset. Shelties like to herd their sheep, but they don't want to hurt them. Only took a few days and Bailey stopped herding me.
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Yeah, Buffy still nudges my knees or nips at her leash when I'm going too slow. She was doing it on her walk this morning. I think it's adorable - these are "acceptable" herding behaviors for me. I suppose not acceptable in an obedience ring, but just fine on a morning walk.
 
Diana said:
Yeah, Buffy still nudges my knees or nips at her leash when I'm going too slow. She was doing it on her walk this morning. I think it's adorable - these are "acceptable" herding behaviors for me. I suppose not acceptable in an obedience ring, but just fine on a morning walk.
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Bailey will grab hold of her leash when we run. I don't mind this at all. I'd rather her run with her leash in her mouth than try to herd me.
 
take4roll10 said:
Bailey will grab hold of her leash when we run. I don't mind this at all. I'd rather her run with her leash in her mouth than try to herd me.
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yep, I wanted Toffee to do that, helped a lot with building tug drive! lol
Tugging leash is a must, and I also think it's great... However if I say okay, enough he leaves it be, just like he would with a slack tug, etc
Man oh man this is a tugging fiend now, and I just remembered how he wouldn't tug n play outside the home, lol
 
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