[rachelf]

I adopted a dog that I found on the streets about one month ago. Her name is Hobo; she's a shepard/hound mix and she's about six months old. She is mostly a good dog -- likes to chew what she finds on the floor, but we can't blame her for that. Mostly she is very tolerable and has until recently been slowly learning commands. But lately she's taken on an uncontrollable attitude problem.

She bites -- never hard, but consistently. No amount of "no"s will stop her; putting your hand anywhere near her results in a nibble 80% of the time. On top of that, she's gotten into the habit of barking and jumping about as if she wants to attack us when we give her commands not to do something. "Hobo, no!" often doesn't get anything but a growl and a bark as a response. When we sit down to eat Hobo literally sits there and barks at us non-stop until we're done.

My roommates are at their wit's end. The dog is less stressful than their complaints about her are. Several nights in a row the dog has slept outside because my roommates just can't handle her. It is less of a punishment and more of an excuse to get the dog out of their hair. I'm worried that putting her in seclusion all the time is just going to make this behavior worse!

I have more patience than my roommates do, but I don't know what to do to solve these problems. I've read as much about training online as I can fit into my head: stop the behavior, don't punish once it's done; praise good behavior, give treats; don't hit her; don't bend the rules or confuse her ... nothing seems to get through. She just gets in this state of mind where she just wants to bark and bark and bark and run around us growling. What to do?

[lucy10]

I had a dog that I got from the pound that issues. It finally came to the point where I bought a shock collar. This was my last resort, I'm not the type that would usually use this but my roomates were at their wites end as well. You should give it a try. It does help a lot with behavior issues and most shock collars have different levels with the lowest as just a pulse or viberation. I use it for barking and digging in the yard. The down fall is that you have to be present but usually they won't do it when you or your roomates are not there. They can be a little pricey but the more expensive ones usually have more settings but it is a very good investment because they will last forever and are rechargable. Here is the link to the one I bought FS-15 Innotek Basic Remote Trainer - Dog Training - Dog Obedience - It's a great company and is the cheapest place I have found them.

[dogforever]

Thanks for the link ... FS-15 Innotek Basic Remote Trainer - Dog Training - Dog Obedience -

Originally Posted by lucy10

I had a dog that I got from the pound that issues. It finally came to the point where I bought a shock collar. This was my last resort, I'm not the type that would usually use this but my roomates were at their wites end as well. You should give it a try. It does help a lot with behavior issues and most shock collars have different levels with the lowest as just a pulse or viberation. I use it for barking and digging in the yard. The down fall is that you have to be present but usually they won't do it when you or your roomates are not there. They can be a little pricey but the more expensive ones usually have more settings but it is a very good investment because they will last forever and are rechargable. Here is the link to the one I bought FS-15 Innotek Basic Remote Trainer - Dog Training - Dog Obedience - It's a great company and is the cheapest place I have found them.

[reeskujo]

before you go with shock collars you should think about signing up for obedience classes...They will show you how to teach her the basic commands and how to establish yourself as the pack leader...Obviously she thinks she's in charge and she's running the house.

[LadyA]

The "biting but not hard" is called "mouthing" and most shepherds do it. I agree with reeskujo, I would check around for obedience classes or animal behavior specialists. I completely disagree with the idea of "shock collars", it is nothing more than abuse in a pretty package. Bad behavior can always be stopped by training, if you are willing to take the time. You have no idea what the dog went through before you got it, it could have been abused and by using a "shock collar" you could be asking for more trouble if the dog sees it as another owner that hurt them. You could have more agression on your hands. Good luck!

[suebgone]

hmmm wonder how I missed this one before.

how much exercise is this dog getting? at least 2 twenty or thirty minute walks/jogs every day - if ALL her shots have been completed? at that age she needs things to keep her mind busy too, as some of her behavior is bordom

I also agree that obedience classes would help

you have to many people giving orders. consistancy is vital in dog training & it can't be happening with several people being chief.

it really sounds like this was not very well planned amongst the group. you can't just stick the dog outside. does she have a box out there? water, food?

[lovemyweim]

I have a 18mth old Weimeraner and when he gets to playing to hard he will nip me. I have learned a loud sharp YIP will grab his attention and let him know it's not ok. That is what his litter mates would have done when he played to hard with them. Then I turn away from him and stop playing for a few minutes, we have had less issues lately.

I agree on exercise 100%. We walk Jake 2.5 miles a day, rain or shine. Dogs need lots of exercise, especially a shepard. Also think about making something for hobo to jump over for mental stimulation.

Also agree on formal training. If what you are doing doesn't work, get help.

[JoeZ]

Hi,

I'm new here and to training too (though I've have pretty well trained dogs for years now) and am interested in your situation.

I agree that it sounds like a dominance issue. The pup is saying "I'm top dog here" though doesn't have the force (yet) to physically demand it. To me, and I admit that I have no experience here, a shock collar works because it shows the pup direct force when it does something "wrong". It places you as the dominant dog. However - I have not and would not use one unless I tried other stuff first.

Obedience classes are a good choice and certainly excercise is an important factor. But the main thing to me is: how much time do you spend with the dog?

I think that the bonding time is one of the most important factors involved with training a dog. When you go excercise - play ball - whatever - it's the quality of the time (as well as getting them pooped out) that is important.

If I was in that situation, I would start training the dog by myself. Just simple sit and stay commands at first. It's the time spent that is more important than the actual training.

I admit I'm pretty ignorant of "what is right" in training and I know of dogs that have never calmed down.

Please let us know how you progress!