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If you have questions about this change, you're in the right place. Our editors, experts, and community of change optimists have answers!

TonyInKY

Question:My sister got a mixed-breed from the pound. I think it is a Irish Wolfhound / Airdale mix. Now it's starting to bite. What should she do?

Asked by TonyInKY on 9/29/08 3 Answers»
bcherep

Answer:

Airedales exhibit some herding characteristics. This may be where the nipping comes into play. Is he/she biting when you run?

They are also very smart. Very hard to train once they have learned bad habits.

Not from experience but have read a bunch on different breeds. Sounds like a cool mix.

Answered by: bcherep on 10/7/08
springshine

Answer:

I haven't seen that show, but I've learned a thing or two from the Dog Whisperer. He's all about the "calm/submissive" attitude ... not letting the dog know or see when you are unsure or wishy washy ... always staying in command.

A dog biting can happen for any number of reasons. They could just be playing, they could be testing their boundaries, they could be scared and thinking they need to be aggressive to defend themselves.

I read a good book by a dog trainer called "No Bad Dogs" and really what she says is similar to what Cesar, the Dog Whisperer says and that is that no dog is untrainable or unreachable ... with care and patience you can train any dog.

Answered by: springshine on 9/29/08
Cwolf112

Answer:

You should probably look into getting a trainer, who can properly diagnose the reason why the dog is biting and change behavior accordingly. But no joke, if you can't afford a trainer you need to watch "It's Me or the Dog" on Animal Planet. Victoria Stillwell is amazing, and I feel like I've learned so much about dog training from that show. The dog may need to be removed from the room whenever it bites someone, or it may need to be desensitized to whatever is setting it off. I'm telling you this show is worth it. Watch a few episodes and try the techniques with the dog. Here's the link to the show: Link

Answered by: Cwolf112 on 9/29/08
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