Nick Jones - Dog Behaviourist

[Nick Jones]

As a behaviour expert writer for Dogs Monthly, I would like to let any readers know that I am here for some guidance with any behaviour or training concerns you may have.

Best wishes for 2010.

Nick Jones MCFBA

[Prairiewd]

Hi NIck,

I have a five month old border collie dog. He is quick to learn most things, but we have a problem when he is on the lead. He likes to bite it, which isn't a great problem, but he 'climbs up' it and ends up biting our hands. If I have food in my hand, he will walk perfectly to heel, looking at me, but as soon as he has it, he is pulls away. When I correct him by calling him back to my side, he starts the biting all over again.
I have invested in a chain lead, which he still bites. Do you have any other training methods we can try?

I am open to any suggestions you may have. We are taking him to dog training classes and he did well in the puppy class. We start the next stage next week.

Thank you,

Prairie

[Nick Jones]

Hi NIck,

I have a five month old border collie dog. He is quick to learn most things, but we have a problem when he is on the lead. He likes to bite it, which isn't a great problem, but he 'climbs up' it and ends up biting our hands. If I have food in my hand, he will walk perfectly to heel, looking at me, but as soon as he has it, he is pulls away. When I correct him by calling him back to my side, he starts the biting all over again.
I have invested in a chain lead, which he still bites. Do you have any other training methods we can try?

I am open to any suggestions you may have. We are taking him to dog training classes and he did well in the puppy class. We start the next stage next week.

Thank you,

Prairie

Hi and thanks for the question.

Your dog is still young, so with the correct approach this should fade away completely.

Ensure you're not creating too much excitement in the dog by the use of your voice. Keep your voice pleasant but not high pitched or excitable. This can be encouraged in some classes which leads to more problems than it solves. Most dogs have enough enthusiasm as it is Avoid slapping your leg to encourage a close position also as this may increase excitement and lead to lead biting or leaping at you.

Each and every time your dog goes to take the lead in its mouth I would stop abruptly as you say in a firm voice 'Leave it'. BE SURE to catch him early, so as soon as you see the head angle changing and the event unfolding stop there and act as above. Then you'll need to place him into the sit and wait for calm to return. The calm and a loose lead I describe as your 'green light' to move forward in a calm manner once again. Some dogs do need enthusing and encouragement, but it sounds that yours has enough as it is?

Repeat this as needed. A little and often and all that.

Try some soft treats such as liver cake or a small piece of cheese as the dog can then work it out of your hand gradually rather than just grab it and then lose interest. Pinch the morsel to stop it going all at once.

Let me know how he responds to that ok?

Have fun.

Nick

[Anna]

Hi Nick,
I have two 14 month old Jack Russells (brothers) and we have had various behavioural issues through the puppy stages, but mostly they have become very well behaved dogs. However two issues I would like to curb with my dogs are:

Dylan has a habit of not going to the toilet outside and instead choosing to do it inside, I can't understand as he was ever so good at understanding the outside was the toilet and not inside when I first started making them go outside after their jabs at 10 weeks old. However recently (last 8 ish weeks) he just sits by the french doors and won't go up onto the lawn to go to the toilet like Riley does, I end up letting Riley back in as I have know hes been to the loo, and leaving Dylan outside as he still hasnt moved from the french doors and I know if I let him back in, I will be shortly cleaning up a mess!

Sometimes I have to leave Dylan outside for 20-30 minutes before eventually he goes to the loo and I let him back in. The dogs get let out roughly every 2-3 hours to go to the loo, sometimes I think Dylan must not need the loo so I let him back in and then 5 minutes later he has gone into his crate and wet his bed which infuriates me as I must wash it 2-3 times a week because of this problem.

Dylan usually follows what Riley does, but why he can't just go to the loo in the garden like Riley does straight away instead of messing about and sitting by the door for ages when I know he needs to go is beyond me, he didnt used to be like this!

The other issue is Riley, he is such a hyper dog, never gets tired and is always bouncing around. Unfortunately he is so hyper when people come into the house that people are scared of him jumping at them and nipping their hands, I tell him 'DOWN' and 'CALM' which is two instructions I give him when hes getting too excited and over bearing, but when people are in the room and not just me, he takes little notice of me and just does exactly as he likes and continues to jump up at people and on occasion nip at their hands.

One day I was so annoyed at Riley that I put him in the crate so he could no longer jump up at my mum, and he was whining as he was upset that I had spoiled his fun (even though he had been told several times not to jump at her) so eventually after 10 minutes of calm time, I let him out and told him calm before I let him past me, and straight away he jumped at my mum!!! So back in the crate he went.. but nothing stops him unless I crate him and its a shame as people get fed up of him and don't want to try and pet him as much as he is such a nuisance jumping up. He doesnt jump up at me because I ignore him if he missbehaves, and if he jumps at me I tell him off and he seems to know I don't like it, but I can't stop him from doing it to anyone else

Any instructions as to how to solve either of these issues??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Anna

[Nick Jones]

Hi Nick,
I have two 14 month old Jack Russells (brothers) and we have had various behavioural issues through the puppy stages, but mostly they have become very well behaved dogs. However two issues I would like to curb with my dogs are:

Dylan has a habit of not going to the toilet outside and instead choosing to do it inside, I can't understand as he was ever so good at understanding the outside was the toilet and not inside when I first started making them go outside after their jabs at 10 weeks old. However recently (last 8 ish weeks) he just sits by the french doors and won't go up onto the lawn to go to the toilet like Riley does, I end up letting Riley back in as I have know hes been to the loo, and leaving Dylan outside as he still hasnt moved from the french doors and I know if I let him back in, I will be shortly cleaning up a mess!

Hmmm. Dogs can occasionally revert back to less than perfect habits like this, and it’s not always easy to establish why. Is he a little nervy I wonder? In this situation I would encourage you to go back to basics and ‘retrain’ him. It shouldn’t be too hard, as he’s got it right previously. Avoid scolding for accidents in the home by the way, and ensure you are there to reward the actions you do want (i.e. relieving himself outside). This will mean placing a lead on, walking to your chosen spot, and standing there for no more than 5 minutes encouraging him to go. As soon as he goes, click (if you do that) and reward. Personally I just reward and no click. Keep it simple. If you use the clicker, use it here though. You will need to do this all of the time for 2 weeks solid to get it back to where you want and then review it…contact me by all means then.

Sometimes I have to leave Dylan outside for 20-30 minutes before eventually he goes to the loo and I let him back in. The dogs get let out roughly every 2-3 hours to go to the loo, sometimes I think Dylan must not need the loo so I let him back in and then 5 minutes later he has gone into his crate and wet his bed which infuriates me as I must wash it 2-3 times a week because of this problem.

This should be resolved by your going out with him and creating a new habit as above. Close the crate door if he is going there. If you are coming back in and he has not been then you’ll need to watch him like a hawk! Maybe trail a house line. If you catch him going in the home, a clap-clap should be enough and then a swift removal outside. This is where 100% vigilance comes in initially.

Consider a vet check to ensure he is well on the urinary front. Take the initiative and take a urine sample in with you if at all possible.

Dylan usually follows what Riley does, but why he can't just go to the loo in the garden like Riley does straight away instead of messing about and sitting by the door for ages when I know he needs to go is beyond me, he didn’t used to be like this!

Dog logic and human logic can be far apart Anna J Dog’s like to feel secure when relieving themselves (much as we like to close the bathroom door really!) so consider his overall nervous state and have a think on that. Consider other areas of his behaviour that may be affecting this issue. My friend Scukllcap & Valerian may assist you here. http://www.dorwest.com

The other issue is Riley, he is such a hyper dog, never gets tired and is always bouncing around. Unfortunately he is so hyper when people come into the house that people are scared of him jumping at them and nipping their hands, I tell him 'DOWN' and 'CALM' which is two instructions I give him when he’s getting too excited and over bearing, but when people are in the room and not just me, he takes little notice of me and just does exactly as he likes and continues to jump up at people and on occasion nip at their hands.

Ok, this is more good info. I should have read it all first Riley’s state may be agitating Dylan and leaving him off centre as it were. Both dogs onto S&V without a doubt pls. Place both dogs on a lead as folk come in and ask them to ignore. Correct excessive behaviour either with a time out or try and keep them with you and resolve it at your feet. Ideally I would show you 1-2-1. Also consider fixing points on the banister if for example this was back enough from the front door and they cannot get to the visitor as they enter. Good thing about fixing points is that they give you hands free, and the dogs are unable to practice this unwanted behaviour.

In the mean time why not set up a practice at the front door so you can run through the sequence of events (without visitors at first). This would involve getting the dogs to go to a set spot (I would use leads fixed back to begin with) and building up a sit and stay as you go the door, open it, press the bell, talk to your invisible guest and so on. Reward desirable actions using food or calm praise or again click and treat if you do that. Once looking stable introduce a member of the family and then strangers. You may benefit from a note on the front door saying ‘Dogs in training, please ignore upon entry’.
Once your guest(s) are inside, keep them on the lead and keep them with you until calm. Once calm walk them up to their feet, ask for the sit and then calm hellos can take place. You take control this way and offer guidance. Remember though, practice makes perfect!

One day I was so annoyed at Riley that I put him in the crate so he could no longer jump up at my mum, and he was whining as he was upset that I had spoiled his fun (even though he had been told several times not to jump at her) so eventually after 10 minutes of calm time, I let him out and told him calm before I let him past me, and straight away he jumped at my mum!!! So back in the crate he went.. but nothing stops him unless I crate him and its a shame as people get fed up of him and don't want to try and pet him as much as he is such a nuisance jumping up. He doesnt jump up at me because I ignore him if he misbehaves, and if he jumps at me I tell him off and he seems to know I don't like it, but I can't stop him from doing it to anyone else

Again, follow my routine and use of lead approach at all times until resolved.

HTH, and good luck. Come spring they'll be perfect dawgs

Any instructions as to how to solve either of these issues??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Anna

[Anna]

Thank you Nick, you have been really helpful! I will start training them this weekend regarding the visitor front and see if I can get them to sit and stay! I feel it may take a while but like you say it will be rewarding if it works!

Thanks again

Anna

[Nick Jones]

You're very welcome!

It really should work, but try and get some dummy runs in firs to build your and the dog's confidence up!

They must ignore the dogs at first to allow them to calm down, and for you to maintain control.

Sit=Hello

Keep me posted eh?

[WeeAmz:-)]

Hiya iam new to dogsmonthly forum so not really sure how everything works.

But i do have a question regaarding my 1year old border collie. He has a lovely character, very loving and also very engectic like most collies. but he seems to have a problem when out walks on busy roads and some country. Its not that he wants to chase cars hes fine if a car comes by slow and with a quiet engine hes fine just ignores it, but the minitute a fast car or one with a rumbling engine he doesnt react well! He either wants to go in the other direction away from the cars or gets on his belly, again iam not sure this chasing cars which some collies are knowing for. Its his body language thts made me think its more to being frightened (has his tucked between his legs).

We live in a quiet village with one majour road running thru, so our streets are mainly quiet and when hes off lead in the field and a car goes to park in the street carpark doesnt batter a eyelid doesnt even want to chase it. He has shown some other behaviour regarding cars, while being in the boot of my parents car every time a car came to near us he would start crying i have tried to ignore this behaviour incase he thinks he'll gets claps and treats ( not sure if this was right appoach) This has been going on since he was 16 weeks old and i dont want it to keep going incase it becomes to inbedded unless its already happened which i hope hasnt. He is fine on the beach an woodland area but getting to these areas envolve roads. When walking where he feels calm e.g. beach he onlys pulls for 5mins then relaxs and enjoys himself and he is good off lead because he responce well to recall and gets on well with other dogs.

Can you please give me advice on how to help this behaviour. Everything else about him is fine i just dont want him to get hurt pulling on his lead or diving into a ditch and cutting himself.

Amy

[Nick Jones]

MODERATORS.

Perhaps this could be moved to a new thread please?

Thank you.

[WeeAmz:-)]

How do i do that?

[Nick Jones]

How do i do that?

It's ok Amy, I was hoping that someone who runs the board would do it for you so we have a fresh topic heading.

It might be easiest if you re post it so you have a subject heading all to yourself

Simply start a new subject, title it, and cut and paste the contents there, do you mind?

Thanks,

Nick

[Rosina]

Dear NIck

I could do with some help with my gentle greyhound. He has lived with me for about a year and a half now and he is amazing. He has adjusted to everything without complaint, stairs, my car, new diet, new owner, fireworks, bees, verbal training... door ettiquette, and believe it or not, cats and squirrels! When out on the lead, he never pulls and is beautifully behaved. But we meet a lot of crazy over-excited dogs on our walks and I don't know how to handle meeting them. My dog (Lad) came straight from racing aged 5 so was not used to other breeds of dog, and now he is nervous when we see or hear another dog. I can't let him off because he is so fast and would run away, and injure himself.

So far he's been chased, injured and lost 10 miles from home (last autumn); bitten on-lead earlier this month by an off-lead dog); and chased off-lead a week ago (he always cuts himself at full racing pelt so is lame again!) Things are getting urgent.

Can you advise how I should deal with other dogs who are off lead? Often the owner has no control, or things happen too quickly. I sense that Lad will be picking up on my fear, but apart from trying to stay calm, what can I do in practical terms? If he turns away, they nip at his hind legs or go underneath him. One time we were walking on-lead down the street and a Labrador came dashing out from her yard through the open front gate. I tried to get between the two dogs, but ended up forced off the pavement and in the middle of the road. What could I have done differently there?

My dog is so super I don't want to let him down! Any advice would be most gratefully recieved. I would love for him to be able to play with another dog - this would make both of us so happy and he really deserves to have some fun.

Many thanks
Johanna