Is Jake herding me?

N

NHAnimator

Forums Regular
We picked Jake up on Friday, our first Sheltie. In taking him out to do his business, he will occasionally get up on his hind paws and lean against on my leg. He doesn't always use his mouth, and it's almost like he is trying to push me.

This morning when we went outside, he was very aggressively preventing me from moving forward. It was first thing after he got up, which is when he is extremely hyper. He was quite good at stopping my forward momentum.

Is this an instinctive herding maneuver, or some sort of play?

Thanks,
John
 
Definitely play, an 8 week old puppy is incapable of being aggressive.

If he's positioning himself in your way, he's more than likely inviting you to play. With my two, this kind of behavior always starts a game of chase, even when they were young. I'd usually stamp my foot on the ground and act like I was going to lunge at them and they'd run away. Chase seems to be a favorite sheltie game and is probably part of the herding instinct.

As for jumping up and leaning on your leg, this also sounds like your pup is asking for attention or to be picked up.

Also, puppies chew and mouth, especially 8 week old puppies. This will go on till he's done teething, at approx. 7 months old. It has nothing to do with aggression, it's how they explore (they taste everything) and also gives them relief when their teeth are sore from teething.

If he's chewing on something inappropriate, don't scold, give him the correct thing to chew on.
 
Thanks for the feedback.

Jake gets so much love and attention, it's not funny.

He does a couple of different things in regards to using his mouth. Sometimes he bites down on my pant leg. Other times, he just stands and leans against me. Regardless, he is often underfoot.
 
Biting at your pant leg and generally being underfoot are all normal puppy behaviors. Same with mouthing everything in sight.

Running after you, jumping on your leg and grabbing your foot/pant leg tends to be hearding behavior, as well as running circles around you. :smile2:
 
Welcome John and Jake !

NHAnimator said:
We picked Jake up on Friday, our first Sheltie. In taking him out to do his business, he will occasionally get up on his hind paws and lean against on my leg. He doesn't always use his mouth, and it's almost like he is trying to push me.

This morning when we went outside, he was very aggressively preventing me from moving forward. It was first thing after he got up, which is when he is extremely hyper. He was quite good at stopping my forward momentum.

Is this an instinctive herding maneuver, or some sort of play?

Thanks,
John
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum and the world of being owned by a Sheltie.:lol: We have all gone through this puppy stage unless you get an older Sheltie. They have a lot of energy and want to play , My Kia still tries to get us to go her way. They are an awesome breed. Pictures would be really great if you have any of Jake. They grow so quickly. enjoy him and best of luck with him.:winkgrin:
 
My youngest one, will walk between my ankles leading me to the treat jar. She will be four this year. She likes to mouth my husband's hand. At times she will take that snout and wack me a good one to get what she wants.

My boy did more of this stuff everyone is talking about as a puppy, and my girl is still going on with some of it.

I swear they have me trained somedays!
 
OntarioSheltie said:
Biting at your pant leg and generally being underfoot are all normal puppy behaviors. Same with mouthing everything in sight.

Running after you, jumping on your leg and grabbing your foot/pant leg tends to be hearding behavior, as well as running circles around you. :smile2:
Click to expand...

Yes! Bacca would attach himself to my pant leg as I walked down the hallway. He would nip and lunge at me as well. Hard to avoid this when you are carrying a hot cup of coffee in your hand! We had many spills in the first 10 months with Bacca!

Bacca's nipping and herding went away when I brought Indy home. Now they nip and herd each other! Even better is my 10 year old nephew! The dogs love to herd him around, and he's happy to be herded!

Mouthing is just normal puppy stuff for all breeds. OK if no teeth involved. If the teeth come out, then "yelp", remove body parts being gnawed at immediately, and turn your back on pup! There are limits to what they are allowed to do. They learn this with their siblings too!
 
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