Published on Positive Petzine (http://positivepetzine.com)

'Bratty Airedale'

By BBroad
Created 06/10/2007 - 14:13
I'm looking for suggestions! I have my 4th Airedale. My first 3 were 20 inches tall, Chuku is 25 at 9 months. We've been in puppy and obedience classes, and we have several commands pretty well, including Get Down and Off (which means Leave It). For me he sits when I fold my arms. Sit and Down are solid commands with hand or voice signals. Stay is up to 30 seconds. I use a clicker. I have been unable to keep him from jumping on people and mouthing arms. He doesn't do that anymore with me or my family (whom we see only occasionally). And he's sometimes merciless with my 5-year-old Airedale. I interfere when the 'drive' builds. I have just the 2 now. Right now they are playing quietly, gently mouthing each other, with Chuku on the ground. To stop barking and more assertive stuff with the older dog I use a squirt gun. Plain water works. He was tested by an Airedale expert as a puppy. She had 4 from the litter for 4 weeks, and she didn't find aggression and is quite surprised he hasn't calmed down. She calls this 'bratty Airedale behavior.' I don't see any other signs of aggression, and neither does our trainer. I believe he is being playful. AND I know it's my fault for not having stopped the jumping earlier. To complicate matters, I live in a rural community and we rarely see other people. I could go into town and walk up and down Main Street, however, hopefully getting some of my friends to participate. Otherwise it would be people who haven't agreed to participate. When he jumps up, his head is almost at your face! Can you help me with a plan of action?

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http://positivepetzine.com/node/114