Love them dogs

[hollohas]

We've broken all our dogs from nipping very early by wrapping their top lip around into their mouth when they get to nipping. Then they bite their own lip when they try to bite you. They hate it. Works like a charm.

Do that a few times when he's getting carried away and in a couple days he's gonna stop getting so carried away. He's probably still going to want to wrestle since it sounds like that's the sort of dog he is, but within the limit you've set.

[arbol]

lol, thanks for your suggestions, Irving and Hollohas

I plan to tell my worries to my brother tomorrow.

I will suggest training, and see what he says.

I'll also offer him Hollohas suggestion of lip biting.

If he refuses to do either, I might refuse to dog sit.

Thank you!

[Irving]

Is the dog trained at all?

[arbol]

I don't know, it is my brother's dog.

[arbol]

He certainly does not act like he is trained.

[Bailey Guns]

Sounds like a typical Heeler. They're high energy, highly intelligent, extremely driven and they need CONSTANT and CONSISTENT reinforcement until they're "trained". Most people don't have the patience or inclination for a Heeler but have them because they're really "cool" dogs. They also need constant stimulation.

The ex had one. That dog pretty much dominated her. Her idea of training was screaming at him. It was great fun for him because there was never any negative consequences to his behavior. With me, I could just look at him and he'd become submissive and calm...because he knew negative consequences were real.

They're really good dogs for someone who likes dogs a lot and for someone who doesn't mind working with them a bit. It doesn't take a lot of effort...just consistency. They really respond well to positive reinforcement because they're so driven. And they're extremely loyal...pretty much a one person dog from what I've seen.

The nipping thing is very common to that breed...they're a herding dog and that's just what they do until they know they shouldn't.

[Bailey Guns]

Hairy and Izzy...definitely beastie besties. 4 years ago...both just pups.

[arbol]

I'm thinking that I need to set absolute boundaries, and to me, that means a leash, and a hook into a stud in a wall. I'm thinking that it should be close to his crate, so he can go there if he wants to, but also see me.

I will use this as my ultimate form of punishment, when he realizes that I am unhappy with him, but he still won't stop.

In the evening, I will get a door jammer for my bedroom door, and give him the rest of the apartment. Hopefully this will result in him spreading his crying against multiple neighbors, instead of whomever is unucky enough to be next to his crate.

[arbol]

Very cool, Bailey Guns.

Do you have any suggestions on what I might do when dog sitting a blue heeler, for a few days, in a limited space apartment?

Thanks!

[Bailey Guns]

Not really. But from your first post it sounds like the crate thing is a bit of an issue. That needs to be a happy place for him...not somewhere he goes when he gets punished or you get tired of him. It's gonna be really hard when you only have the dog for a limited time, but I'd keep the crate in the bedroom and keep him in there during bedtime. Try positive reinforcement as often as possible.