My 14 month old dalmatian bitch gets very excited when my son runs around and jumps up at him and nips him. Whilst camping the other week my son & his friend (teenagers) were running around and she jumped up and ripped his friends t-shirt and bit him. Only a little nip but still a bite. She attempted to chase a small child who was running, fortunately the child ran through a gate. She is a lovely dog and everyone comments on what a lovely natured dog she is. If I have her out now I'm frightened incase she sees a child running and goes after them. (I had to get a dog put to sleep because he did a similar thing)  I don't want to have to keep her on a lead all the time but realise this is a problem. Does anyone have experience of this and will she grow out of it? I walk her every morning through a park and she sees 3 or 4 joggers on a daily basis and this doesn't affect her atall.

My first reaction is that this is mere excitement, although of course an unwanted response to excitement! At 14 months your dalmatian is still very much a puppy, and will be mentally so for several more years. you mention that she isn't bothered by joggers in the park - I'm assuming these are adults, not children? Dalmatians (and indeed most dogs) find children much more exciting than adult humans - they are much more like puppies, so dogs enjoy joining in the games. Does your son ever run with your dog on the lead? If you can get her more used to the idea that people (including children) running is a normal, boring thing then she won't get excited about it.

Worth a try.
:)

Hi Spotty dog :-) As Jg says it sounds like excitement and it is I think a natural thing for young dogs and pups to chase each other and nip,it's all part of the game. Often children make the problem worse by getting the dog over exited and encouraging the unwanted behaviour. Having your previous dog put to sleep must have been a dreadful experience for you .  From what you have told us about your previous experience I think you may need some help in training your dog so that you can correct what is at the moment a small problem and I would advise finding a training class in your area. If you already attend training class talk to your trainer and explain the situation and they will teach you how to adopt the use of various strategies (like the use of toys or food) to control the unwanted behaviour :-D

I agree with the above posts, esp. as a previous dog was put to sleep for chasing (biting?) Sorry not clear on that, but at the end of the day if you have ANY inking that your dog will chase and nip you MUST either avoid such places where this is likely to occur, or keep the dog on lead, or put in lots and lots of time training. A good training school will teach you how to motivate your dog to obey you in places where there are lots of distractions and help you to gradually improve your pet.

This will take time and dedication (and can also be very rewarding for you). Don't forget, under the DDA, a dog has only to frighten someone and there can be trouble. The dog doesn't even have to bite.

Also if your son is running around it will excite the dog :) . Probably  that your son and dog have often played this way too. It is easy to expect too much of dogs - it's not fair to expect them to be around exciting children and do nothing.

Lindsay
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