Herding Children
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by susan on
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Patience. ;)
I'd be careful about trying to scare or adversely punish too much for herding children. That could wind up being associated with the children and not the herding behavior. That would not be a good association. My pup tried to herd my family also when she was young. I just had ppl stop and wait until she stopped the nipping. Sometimes a gruff "NO". Sometimes, turn their back on her. Eventually she stopped, but it took a while. She seemed to go after socks the most, so I asked everyone to wear shoes, or just expect to have her bite at their stocking feet. You have to train the whole household sometimes, not just the dog. Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Heidi on
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Thank you!! She is getting better with it.My youngest just stands there and says "NO" over and over and over...seems to help. Patience is what I keep telling everyone. I have had a corgi and other dogs before..my husband and kids, this is their first dog, so yup, training them too. :)
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Have you tried a leash? I agree with Susan you don't want to punish her but help her learn how to maybe walk up near them, sit and wait for positive attention from them...treats included!
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Lots of treats and positive reinforcement. I have established, with her atleast(lol), that I am #1 in the pack.In time :)
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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I agree the best solution is to train the people to stop and turn their back on her whenever she herds. She'll learn herding= game over.
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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A leash will prevent the unwanted behavior, while keeping the dog in the situation, helping the dog understand that it is not a participant in this kind of children's play. Also make sure the dog gets plenty of exercise in general, so it's activity level needs are met. Teach the children to be calm in their interaction with the dog. All interaction between dogs and small children (under six years of age, but even older with some children) should occur with an adult in the same area.When this is not possible, separate or confine the dog.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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I find distracting with treats or a toy to be the best way to stop an unwanted behavior. A leash is a great tool and monitoring play with the children is great advice. I like to teach a way h me command early. It's easy, just hold a yummy treat up by your eyes and as soon as eye contact is made give a treat with the other hand. Also leave it is very useful. Just hold a treat either in your hand or under your foot, when the pup looks at you because you are blocking it or sits or backs away say leave it and give a treat. Practice theses commands several times a day and occasionally after your pup gets it. I use leave it when my grandchildren are over and Watson gets too rambunctious.
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Pups, like young children, have strong drives, lots of energy and short attention span. Self control is like a muscle and one cannot expect it from a pup, or child, early on. That's why the leash can help. I see the leash as being an extension of your hand. If you went somewhere with a busy toddler, where he could get in trouble, you would hold his hand and keep him by you. It is not a punishment, simply a precaution that avoids having to scold. Teaching the pup to listen to you and behave as you wish in general, requires training when NOT in the situation (such as the "leave it"or "watch me" commands, both excellent). Once mastered, you can then start using the techniques when confusion abounds. Pups should always be put in situations they can be successful in, then you build on that. Also be aware than an overstimulated pup is going to be unmanageable, so find out how much commotion your particular pup can handle at this age and adjust the exposure to that. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
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Permalink Reply by Vicky Hay on
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Try to restrain yourself from yelling, yelping, and screeching. These are ineffective training devices.
Herding dogs are bred to accentuate a canid instinct to round up prey, but being dogs instead of wolves they can be persuaded to work actively with humans. "Working actively" entails stopping when needed.
Get the dog thoroughly obedience-trained -- this requires daily work, several times a day. One of the things involved in obedience training is a "down and stay" command (not nearly as difficult a trick as one would think), which will allow you to signal the dog to cease and desist.
At the same time, train the sheep...uhm, kids. Observe what they're doing that triggers the herding behavior, and make them stop it. If they wave their arms around, tell them to keep their hands down, preferably at their sides. If they're teasing the dog, insist that they quit it. Watch to see if there's anything else they may do inadvertently that excites the dog to the undesirable behavior, and then figure out if they can change their behavior, even if temporarily, to minimize the herding impulse.
Cassie once tried to round up a rugby team -- all grown men. The buffalos players thought it was hilarious. Their coach almost fainted dead away...I guess he thought she was going to bite them. :-D
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