Hi Brian,
I’m not an skilled, and am solely sharing my expertise and recommendation from my very own views, so what I’m doing could or could not work together with your canine…however I”m hoping that it’ll assist. I’ve owned 3 canine earlier to the one we simply bought, and I’ve been round a lot of different canine, cats, and animals in my half-century.
On April 14, 2020, we obtained a 1 yr previous Red Heeler, named Copper. He likes to nip at our heels once we stroll or run, and appears to intentionally make makes an attempt to journey us up. He additionally likes to nip at our arms, consistently. He doesn’t chunk to harm, however very playfully nips and nibbles. Overall, I get that to him, that is playful and enjoyable. I’ve learn that’s within the breed.
One factor that I’ve learn to assist cease the nipping at arms, and one thing that I’ve been working with Copper on, is every time he will get in that hand-nipping playfulness, gently stick in his mouth the suitable chew toys, rawhide, or no matter that you really want him to chew on, each time he begins to nip at my arms. This approach, he learns what he can / can’t chew on. Then, give them loads of constructive reward and reward when chewing on the suitable factor.
I do maintain him on a leash so he doesn’t pounce or nip at my grand youngsters when they’re working from him. I’ll gradual him down sufficient so he’s simply working behind, or alongside aspect them, so he retains tempo with them. He may be very playful and excitable, so I give him a lot of constructive reward and responses when he behaves the way in which I would like him to. And firmly inform him STOP or NO, once I see him do issues which are undesirable.
Another pal of mine had a Border Collie, and he stated that if he didn’t take his canine for a stroll every day that his canine would begin to chew on every little thing. But when he took her on walks, she did nice round the home. So what I’ve been doing with Copper is taking him out on walks, and frequent lengthy walks, round a number of blocks, alongside the river or up the native canyon trails, to permit him to burn off all that vitality earlier than it builds up. I’m seeing that when he’s cooped up and doesn’t burn that vitality off, he does get into stuff, even ripping small chunks out of his reminiscence foam mattress once we took the quilt off to scrub. Like Sandy stated in her remark, “A drained canine is an effective canine.” There is plenty of reality in that. Get your canine wound up, worn out, and burn that vitality out.
The constructive reward, redirecting his consideration to acceptable chew toys, firmly commanding him to cease, and particularly burning off that vitality, appears to be working with Copper. I additionally speak to him rather a lot like he was human and clarify what I’m doing to him. He is studying from the repetition to acknowledge phrases and instructions. He additionally is aware of to run away from me now once I inform him it’s time for a shower, haha.
Copper got here from a neglectful and presumably abusive residence. When we bought him, he didn’t even react to a tennis ball or squeaky toy. His jaws had been weak and he may barely chew the rawhide. He had mange and smelled of the uncleaned canine kennel. Their different canine was a Pit Bull that was lacking half his hair round his neck/chest and again resulting from mange. Now with the mange gone, we’re within the technique of getting underneath management the yeast an infection that causes his pores and skin to be pink and itchy. Three weeks later and Copper is taking part in fetch, home educated, and is mostly a nice canine. I attribute that to the intelligence of his breed and researching tons on-line or watching YouTube movies. I don’t recall ever seeing a canine that picks up on issues fairly so quickly earlier than although.
All one of the best to you and good luck to you and your heeler.
