The only other issue we have with Kody is that he nips at our 2 boys, ages 7 and 4 in certain instances. Mainly when one of them tries to lead him by the collar. Also, sometimes when they ride their bikes or scooters, he'll chase and nip at them. What is a good method to stop this behavior?

The nipping when the boys are in motion, running, biking and so forth is born out of prey drive. I would begin by keeping the dog on a longline in these instances.
Ensure that the dog has plenty of appropriate outlets for prey drive (tugs, balls, etc). Do not, under any circumstances let the dog chase after or run with the boys. This only solidifies the prey mentality.

I would be giving level 10 corrections when the dog nips at the kids for grabbing at the collar- of course, this can only be done in the exact instant that the nip occurs, and that is only possible if the dog is kept on leash 24/7 outside of it's crate.

Since the dog lacks a reliable recall, I would be tethering this dog to you at all times.

Four and seven year olds shouldnt be leading him by the collar. Chasing and nipping the kids is prey drive and YOU need to stop it. Put a leash on him and YOU can take care of both problems.

Hi Kordell,

I'll have to second what Steve and Alyssa have written. This is your responsiblity to prevent this issue from becoming something much much more dangerous.

No dog no matter what the breed is 100% child safe, I've had dogs that I live in confidence of that they wouldn't hurt a child and I currently have a dog that I know would hurt a kid. In both cases neither dog is allowed to be handled by a young child, and in the case of the latter a child is not allowed to be in the same room or house with her. I get the call that the kids are coming to visit and the dog goes out in her run. It's simply not worth the risk to the dog or the risk to the kid.

I'm not sure what your vision is for your dog in your life. At this point it's time to take a step back and consider where you want things to go based in reality. You have a dog who is behaviorly gearing up to bite your kids and you have two kids who aren't showing your dog respect. It's not their fault, they just don't know how to interact with a dog. I know what I would do in this situation but I've never been determined to have a dog that must be able to put up with being tugged on by kids, or run by any bike but mine.

So I guess I need you to tell us what you want this picture to look like because at this point your dog is behaving just like a dog would act with other pack members. At this point I'm not seeing a behavior problem but rather a human issue.

- Melissa

The dog is strictly a pet. I completely understand that he's acting as he would with other pack members, I just am not sure of the best way to stop it. Our 7 year is trying to take responsiblity because we got the dog after our last two passed away within the past 2 years and he missed them. They were both adult dogs before he was born and being 7 all he knew was that he wanted a puppy. He didn't understand the work and responsibility of having one. So, we're trying to teach him that. He has taken on the responsibility of taking him out to his run and feeding him. Sometimes he tries to take him to the run by leading him by the collar and that's when this happens. Other time one child or the other will simply be trying to get the dog to move out of the way and it happens. It is not at all a vicious type of thing, just sort a "hey I don't want to go that way" correction type of thing. My concern is that it could become more serious as time goes on. I was all ready trying to correct the dog when this happens but he seemed to get confused and not want to go near the child when I did that so I was thinking that he was not understanding what he was getting corrected for.

As far as the chasing/nipping, I guess I'll have to make them understand that they can't do those activities unless the dog is put away.

Thanks for the help.

I doubt you compare your boys to one another... And if you do, I'll bet your wife is right there reminding you the they're individuals and it isn't fair to compare them.


So don't do it to your dog. He isn't your previous dogs- he's the dog you've got now!

You were given good advice; take it, or don't.

"As far as the chasing/nipping, I guess I'll have to make them understand that they can't do those activities unless the dog is put away."

No guessing!

I have to say that this question and this answer comes up on the board several times every week.... hundreds of times since I have been reading the board. This is not something negative or peculiar about this dog. He's a dog!

It's a fact of life with dogs and kids. Alyssa and Steve simply told you what every owner of little children and pups is told.

It's 100% in your control. Tether the pup to you. Keep him on a line. Don't allow chasing after the children. These are just facts of life.

"What is a good method to stop this behavior?"

Don't let it start.

I don't have any small kids around and my Rottie used to be frantic when she saw a child. It looked like she wanted to 'take care of' the kid... until they started to run when I wasn't sure if it was prey drive or care giving drive.
Since she had no kids to intervene with I sometimes take her to the playground after we have roller bladed so she's tired. I sit on a bench and she has to lay so she can see the kids running and the kids can see her and come up and visit. When little kids come and fall all over her I have a hand on her prong collar... and a treat in my other hand in front of her nose. LOL It has worked wonders, she's much more relaxed and shows no desire to chase all the running kids and only show concern over crying babies but doesn't try to go after them. (She's not too tired to jump up and try to go for a squirrel though, so I think she's getting my message.)
With your dog I would hold it on a leach and distract it when the boys run and play. I'd try to make sure that the dog understood that it will be rewarded for ignoring the boys and corrected if it doesn't. I'd definitely wouldn't let a child handle the dog alone, but with you at the end of the leach I'd let the kid reach out to lead with the collar. Just always so you can correct a nip and let the kid reward a good behavior.

Care giving drive???? Lol.

 Quote: steve strom

Care giving drive???? Lol.

LOL, I know... but a K9 trainer friend checked her out and says that she wants to 'care for' babies and that it's common with Rottweilers. She settles down when I take the kid, but is pretty hysterical if a baby cries.

Sorry about changing topic, I just wanted to explain what sounded quite silly. LOL