Aussiedoodles and other dogs - play habits

[Kelley Lee]

My very sweet 18 month old Aussiedoodle, Lacey, loves to run, jump, play, bark with the best of them.  She has two bad habits in her play with our beagle mix adopted pup  (Lettie)- also about 18 months old - she tries to "herd" the other dog by nipping at her bag legs when running; and secondly, she grabs the collar of the other and drags her around - sometimes causing it to tighten to uncomfortable levels.  I try to stop her when I catch her doing the collar thing and tell her to play nice - and she'll back off for a few minutes but goes back at it later.  Any suggestions for breaking this behavior? 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I've seen nipping at the back legs in other dogs, not just Aussie's, with no harm done.  As for the collar, you may want to remove the collar while they play.

[Kelley Lee]

Thanks for the info.  I haven't ever seen any marks from the nipping at the heels, but I know it bothers Lettie - she runs like crazy to get away.  I have seen her turn the tables once or twice and nip at Lacey's legs, and boy, Lacey didn't like that!  Taking the collar off when they play isn't an option though - that's an off and on all day thing. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I have read some discussion on DK where dogs were very close to being choked. I hope you reconsider the collar. Please look for these discussion. I will try to find some and re-post for you.

Here is one:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/very-scary-morning?comment...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

and here is one I posted about my dogs too

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/collars-and-tags-an-essent...

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

How do you change an Aussie from Herding?  They are herders. 

My dogs nip legs to get the other engaged in play.  Get them running and romping.  At least I know mine are playing, but certainly since we can't see how your Beagle is reacting here, I'll take your word that the Beagle finds this offensive. 

Sometimes you have to let them work it out for themselves.  When that Beagle has had enough, it may just turn around and let the Aussie know it is NOT RIGHT.  

The collar thing though I don't have an answer for but to remove them.  That is, if you have a fence. I realize it is not possible if there is  no fence.  In the house, you would just have to remove them when they come in each time. I've done it.  At first it is a pain, but you get used to habit. 

Cute dogs  you have

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Our Bella nips at back legs as she plays and chases all the visiting friends and relatives dogs in our yard. She doesn't do it much with strange dogs though thank goodness, as I bet they would have a lot more to say about it. Since our yard in fenced we do take everyone's collars off till they go out of the yard as we have had a few close calls with teeth and jaws getting caught in collars and tightening.

 I have also gotten the new (to me anyway) bamboo material collars as they are very soft and will stretch somewhat if pulled on, so if someone did get caught it would loosen easily. I don't use those with leashes tho, as mine wear harnesses for walks.  The collars reshape and shrink back to a snug size when wet or washed. So those would be my two options, remove, or a softer material. Hope this helps.

[shelly]

Tori doesn't play with other dogs... we really don't have the opportunity, BUT...she does herd BIG time!  Mostly my 7 year old nephew.  she has been doing this since he was little.  She also HATES whenever anyone goes to leave.  She uns up to them and barks furiously at them and as they walk down our walk.  I have posted much about this in the past.  I never heard of anyone else having these issues, but then again ,there are not many of us aussiedoodle owners here.  Believe me - I have tried, but herding is in her makeup.  I wold really try and not use a collar on the beagle if possible.  I can't remember who it was - but someone posted about their two dogs getting stuck on each other by one of the dog's collars.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I think the herding is just in their nature and doubt it can be broken.  But then Cesar Millan seems to think any behavior can be corrected so who knows.  Dogs always go for the collar.  My 4 year old GD still goes for collars.  It is best to just remove it when they are playing.

[Lynda Kamrath]

In my experience the heel-nipping is a shepherd habit.  Our Australian shepherd always would nip at the heels of other dogs, the rabbit, and whatever she was trying to herd.  We had a rabbit who ran free in the backyard but needed to be put in his cage whenever hawks were in the area.  We would tell the shepherd to put him in his cage and she would run around him nipping at his heels to take him to his cage.  They do the same things with sheep.  We never tried to do anything about this habit, but you would want to do something about the collar dragging.  Removing the collar might help for now, but I think Lettie will let her know that this is unacceptable behavior.  You may have a couple of fights on your hand, however, until she starts to play appropriately with Lettie.

[Kelley Lee]

Thanks for the info, I'll definitely look into the bamboo collar option.