Every day I walk my 12 month old male (castrated) lurcher (whippet/collie) with my friends 8 year old female (spayed) springer. He is a real pain as he persistantly mouths her back legs and ears which she does not like and tries to ignore. He doesn't try this on any other dogs that we have met. When they are at each others homes and in the car on the way to the woods this behaviour persists. On the way home he is no trouble.
I hope that this is something that you can help me with as I've tried discouraging him with water spray, shouting and puttting him on the lead but he always goes back to it and the springer is starting to get snappy with him.

Thanks for your Help!

Hi Lissy

we had a dalmatian and a yorkie at the same time. The dal was such a softie, putting up with anything. The yorkie did the same as your lurcher, all the time, in the home and outside. Luckily the dal was so soft that he never did anything. BUT we didnt like it so we studied why he did it.

We figured what he was trying to do was 'tell' the other dog what to do and when to do it. IE play with me and play with me now. The yorkie was a few years younger than the dal.

So we removed the dal from the yorkie whenever he did it. Put him in another room, not on his own but with one other member of the family. Didnt want the dal to think he was doing anything wrong. The yorkie would wine and wait for the dal to return. When he resumed the behaviour we removed the dal again.

when eventually the yorkie hesitated before his usual behaviour we praised and rewarded him. He didnt take long for him to realise..

naughty behaviour= lose friend
good behaviour= treat

Eventually the treat was not necessary as his behaviour became habit.

They were great friends for many years after that.

Hope this helps

Jackie

Hi Jackie

Thanks for the help on this. It sounds a really good plan that we can work with. It seems to be getting worse so it's being put into plan as we speak!

Many thanks, I'll post how he's getting on.

Lis

Hi Lissy

Yes I would like very much to know how you are getting on. Its hard I know, you have to get inside the dogs head to see what he is thinking and thats not easy is it.

Good luck and keep in touch

Jackie