Dylan starts showing a little aggression at the door as well. Since we crate him when we both leave, he is okay with that. But if one of us is leaving, especially my husband he starts barking really loud and try to block him at the door. He is almost 4. We put him to a stop by making him sit and wait. Once he calms down, then one of us go ahead and leave. It does work so far.
Help me! Ellie is biting us!
- Thread starter Lahree
- Start date
SheltieChe
Forums Sage
hmm, at what age this behavior starts? I better get prepared then... so far we tried to make our comings and going as low key as possible and he is rarely stays alone anyway, we prefer driving with him in a car... it is getting warm though...
labgirl
Forums Sage
I think most dogs dislike people leaving without them. I know Cadbury whinges when I leave without him (he is a lab). He really can't see why he isn't going too!
Its more pronounced with me than the rest of the family because he is my dog so we have a strong bond. Apparently yesterday when I left the house he whined for a while.
I have also noticed when he was younger and I was gone for a long period (all day for instance) even if he had someone with him when I came back he would be very mouthy and wanted my absolute attention. If I dared talk to someone else he would chew on my arm or tug on my clothes. He definitely got told off for that and I would leave the room without him so he defeated the purpose.
Anyway, what I would suggest is a stairgate positioned either in the doorway to a room or in the hall. That way she can't get to you to bite. I would stand outside the stairgate when someone leaves and if she starts barking rattle a bottle, or use a squirt bottle or a firm no, depending on what works. Once she quietens then praise and reward her.
I don't know how long this will take to work. But at least you will be spared the bites and if all else fails, find a good dog behaviourist in your area and ask their advice.
Good luck.
Its more pronounced with me than the rest of the family because he is my dog so we have a strong bond. Apparently yesterday when I left the house he whined for a while.
I have also noticed when he was younger and I was gone for a long period (all day for instance) even if he had someone with him when I came back he would be very mouthy and wanted my absolute attention. If I dared talk to someone else he would chew on my arm or tug on my clothes. He definitely got told off for that and I would leave the room without him so he defeated the purpose.
Anyway, what I would suggest is a stairgate positioned either in the doorway to a room or in the hall. That way she can't get to you to bite. I would stand outside the stairgate when someone leaves and if she starts barking rattle a bottle, or use a squirt bottle or a firm no, depending on what works. Once she quietens then praise and reward her.
I don't know how long this will take to work. But at least you will be spared the bites and if all else fails, find a good dog behaviourist in your area and ask their advice.
Good luck.
Caro
Moderator
I captured Deska's behaviour when I leave - note the close proximity to my legs, and the sheltie spin when I shut the door. Usually he goes on for longer but knocking the camera stand seemed to settle him down. So maybe if I set something up to knock him as I leave...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJlQDSdxSl8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJlQDSdxSl8
take4roll10
Moderator
the cat ran out!
Caro
Moderator
Ha ha,
its alright, she came back. Tully's kitten now thinks I should take her everywhere we go so she races out the door ready for our walks. Her version of the Deska tantrum is to attack the back of the door if I close it on her. On the weekend I went to visit a friend with the dogs - and guess who followed us all the way. Luckily she wont go far without Tully.
its alright, she came back. Tully's kitten now thinks I should take her everywhere we go so she races out the door ready for our walks. Her version of the Deska tantrum is to attack the back of the door if I close it on her. On the weekend I went to visit a friend with the dogs - and guess who followed us all the way. Luckily she wont go far without Tully.Caro-
Aztec does the exact same thing. Down to the spin. He hates when we leave, and will nip us if we don't get out fast enough. Insanity!
He is the most bizarre when my sister leaves. And he only acts like this when we go out the back door. Side and front door he could care less.
Aztec does the exact same thing. Down to the spin. He hates when we leave, and will nip us if we don't get out fast enough. Insanity!
He is the most bizarre when my sister leaves. And he only acts like this when we go out the back door. Side and front door he could care less.
Sharon7
Moderator
Wow, this forum is so enlightening. Our Ally does a version of this with the front door and the back sliding glass door. I can close the screen door and have them outside and me in, no problem. But let me close the glass door too (signal: I'm leaving) and Ally goes beserk. Pogo stick jumping and barking like crazy. Luckily it only lasts a few seconds.
Both dogs go OFF when we open the front door. Doesn't matter if it's us coming, us going, visitors, etc. We've tried to re-train but it hasn't worked so far, the random knock at the door when you're not prepared just sets you back all over again!! DARN DOGS!
We figure the back slider is Ally's protest about us leaving. Asta could care less. Interesting to hear a handful of others have the same sort of problem!
We are lucky I guess that there's no biting involved, - Lahree that would be so frightening! Keep us updated!
Sharon
Both dogs go OFF when we open the front door. Doesn't matter if it's us coming, us going, visitors, etc. We've tried to re-train but it hasn't worked so far, the random knock at the door when you're not prepared just sets you back all over again!! DARN DOGS!
We figure the back slider is Ally's protest about us leaving. Asta could care less. Interesting to hear a handful of others have the same sort of problem!
We are lucky I guess that there's no biting involved, - Lahree that would be so frightening! Keep us updated!
Sharon
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
Definitely herding behavior. When I was in college, a classmate of mine had a ACD and she did this to anyone leaving a room unless her owner called her off. We would all be sitting around studying and someone would head for the door and the dog would jump up to herd them back. She would bite if not controled.
She didn't even need to know the person.
Justice and Diva also did this briefly. They would bite too. I used a squirt gun with Justice and positioned it under my arm and when he went for my leg ,I squirted him. Then turned around like oh my!
what happened
and asked for a sit or down and then praised
. The behavior went away quickly in 2 or 3 trials. With Diva that didn't work and I put one hand on the collar(back of neck) and one hand on her muzzle and gave her a sharp "wrong" One time problem solved.
She didn't even need to know the person. Justice and Diva also did this briefly. They would bite too. I used a squirt gun with Justice and positioned it under my arm and when he went for my leg ,I squirted him. Then turned around like oh my!
what happened and asked for a sit or down and then praised. The behavior went away quickly in 2 or 3 trials. With Diva that didn't work and I put one hand on the collar(back of neck) and one hand on her muzzle and gave her a sharp "wrong" One time problem solved.