Dutch Shepherd Forum

Hello all. I am Lori and new to the Dutch breed and we live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. This is Kye who is now 7 months old. She is a smaller DS and I'm thinking this probably isn't a negative...she is SO energetic! If anyone has any recommendations for training, specifically nipping 3-5 year old kids, please let me know. We have 4 young family members that she is just not adjusting to. I've tried researching it and can't find any help. Thank you all for any and all suggestions/recommendations!

Hi, Lori....

Welcome. Good looking pup there. How'd did you end up with a Dutch, what type(s) of dog(s) have you had before, and did you/how did you train them? Also, what have you trained Kye and how are you training? (For example, are you using marker training?)

If you wouldn't mind, can you post your question about nipping under "Behavior" with more specifics? Dogs with a herding tendency tend to nip to "organize," especially "things" that are scrambling about, which is different than other reasons a dog might nip. The more information regarding the circumstances, the better chance there is that someone can offer valuable suggestions. (Does she only nip the kids, when, what are they doing? What does she do with members outside the family? Etc.)

Thanks.

Thanks Sharon, I'll post the specifics under the "Behavior" section right now.

As for other dogs, we've had a variety from Great Danes, German Shepherd, Corgi and a pound rescue, all which have passed away from either age or illness (heart issues with 1 of my danes). We ended up with her when our corgi pass away from old age and we were looking for a medium size, smart dog and my husband really liked the shepherd lines. As for training, I've always been able to train the basic obedience myself but with Kye she's such a fiesty one that any and all distractions are posing as problems. So far she only has sit/stay/down (not always perfect)/wait (when I feed her)/ and off (if she tries to get on the furniture). Marker training worked for a couple of weeks and then I think she just got tired of it and isn't responding as she did originally.

I think you need to change the way the dog views the children. Right now I am guessing she thinks of the kids as the sheep of the house and they need to be herded. Have the kids control her food at feeding time. have them walk her and correct her when she needs it. The kids need to lead her instead of her lead them like a sheep. My wife would get nipped across the foot. Now she controls her food and scolds her with a stern "NO" and now she doesn't get herded.