Joker a.k.a Twister! Where Is The Dog Whisperer When I Need Him... LOL

by Ranee, Ricky and Joker (a.k.a Twister)
(Irwin, PA)

WOW. That's about all I can say right now. We live in the part of PA that got hit with tornadoes last night. That coupled with this pup's overall behavior have made us decide that the previously named "Joker" should really be named Twister.

I don't see signs that Twister been mistreated by his previous owners--in fact, what I'm seeing is a pup who's pretty much been allowed to do whatever he pleases. He's a typical Aussie... very drivey, intelligent and active but emotionally pretty well balanced except when it comes to the crate. (But who can blame him--crate has been prison for him up till this point.)

So what I have here is a semi-rotten (in a mischievous way) almost adolescent Aussie with MULTIPLE undesirable behaviors I need to work on--and several that need to be dealt with pronto.

1) He does nip HARD--no bite inhibition whatsoever. He nearly drew blood on my son last night.

2) He DOES need to accept a crate for short periods. Right now he barks himself hoarse for HOURS.

3) He's never been off-leash outdoors. Now that he's experienced the freedom of running free in the yard (10 foot fencing) he refuses to come to me to go back indoors. (Right now, because I live above the family business, he must be leashed coming and going in and out from our apartment.) Of course, in no time flat he realized what a great game it is to "make us" chase him. No surprise either that he figured me out QUICKLY when I tried to trick him into recall by hiding the leash and offering a treat so I could grab his collar. LOL

4) He's been permitted on furniture (which I don't mind when a dog is invited first) but this fellow will defy the OFF command and even nip when I make him get down. (He's not permitted on furniture at all right now, but that doesn't mean he's going to accept it yet.)

Where is the Dog Whisperer when I need him? ;-)

We did finally manage to tire him out--and I managed to get a couple pics I'll post in the group Photos. He's a dashing little dude, but my camera phone doesn't do him justice.

Suggestions VERY welcome on how you've dealt with this type of behavior in an Aussie. I've done a lot of reading the last week about how Aussies often need a different approach to training, but I can't seem to quite integrate that fully with the basic obedience work I've always done. For instance, I'm pretty sure he's going to realize he can make me get up and correct an undesirable behavior when he misbehaves. I do ignore and redirect when possible, but when it comes to the nipping (for instance) or as he's done with refusing to come to the leash, how do I keep this busy little mind from making it all a game?

Thanks!
Ranee, Ricky (fur-less kid) and Twister (formerly named Joker)

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