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Why Do Aussies Nip?

by Melissa
(Canada)

Okay I know why Aussie's nip, I own two Aussies... but I have been defending the Aussie from some people who say Aussies nip out of aggression, which to me, upsets me...

So please Aussie people give me your insight to as why Aussies nip… I guess you can say these people are getting to me with saying its an act of aggression, when I know its an act of nature in the breed of dog.




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Why Do Aussies Nip?

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Nips
by: Camila

I don't own an Aussie, neither English is my first language. I own a Border Collie who nips, but into play mode.

Dogs usually nip in aggression when they think something isn't how they want (a dominant dog usually present this types of nips in order to set up an order in their environment. A dog will nip other if they feel the other is invading it's personal space for example, knowing that the other dog is weaker or they have already accepted subordination).

If they nip to you because you have touched their stuff (example), it might be because 1) the dog doesn't accept you as the owner of the house. 2) there is a lack of education in the dog.

Some dogs, specially shepherds are used to nip naturaly, as it's a way of pushing the target to do something. For example if you are standing, the dog is right next to you and the dog wants to do something, they might nip your toe in order to move or do something.

Since I don't own an Aussie, I can't expand in the subject, but it's said that these are dominant dogs, so hierarchy patterns should be stablished in early puphood. With this, and placing the dog "at the end" of the family pack, nips should appear, as the dog wouldn't have the right or authority of pushing someone in the house (or try to command any family member).

Placing hierarchy patterns is much easier when the dog is a pup. We tend to commit the same mistakes that thousands of people does; the cute little puppy gets all the attention in the house, and they automatically place on top of the family.

A concret example; when they pup (lets name this puppy Mawy) arrives to her new home, all the family is anxious, happy and charmed with the new fluffy thing. We do high pitched nice voices, pat the pup, encourage her to move her tail, gain confidence... at the end she turns into the center of the universe; that's is putting the dog in top of the family pack. Mawy will think "Oh well since they treat me like that, I rule here, this is MY home".

A correct Mawy introduction to her brand new home and family is introducing the pup to all family members (better if they are gathered up in the same room), don't move to Mawy's direction or pay much attention to her. She should move around and sniff new family members. When we go to the dog, is a fast way of accepting the dog into the family pack, but when they go to us; to strangers at that young point of Mawy's life, is going into a submisive behavior; she is paying attention to us, and is easier to recognize she is a stranger in our home and not what happened in the other case mentioned above.

There are a lot of small details we don't take care of that affect hierarchy at home. It's not necesary to be a strong leader in order to Mawy not to challenge you as dominant, but it is truely necessary trace the patterns and ask the dog respect from the very first day she comes at home.

Hope this helped, and my English is understandable.

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