Nasty play on walks

[Fanofjess]

We are having a really tough time with Jessie on walks. She is walked off lead every day, and when I walk her on my own or with a friend and another dog she is amazing. But whenever we walk with our children who are 6 and 8 she seems to get nearly nasty. If they run off she used to heard them up, and sometime this would result in her jumping and grabbing at their clothing. But in the last week or so she is doing this even when they are near us, and what seemed protective and playful has become distressing. She has hurt them by grabbing them. We always say no, and the children do too in a deep and authoritative voice, and I then put her on her lead. She has done this to a lesser degree to friends children too and I am really worried about it. Is it puppy play that will stop or something to be much more concerned about? Jess will be six months old next week. Thank you......

[Pearly]

Pearl does tend to do something similar to me at times, especially when she is anxious and that's normally when there are other dogs around or excitable children..... I have taken her to a behaviourist who gave great advice and most of the time she is a happy relaxed dog on walks - I now know how to read her signals and how to deal with her at the time.

I would suggest contacting a behaviourist (positive reward only) to seek help with how to help Jessie and provide coping techniques etc.  from your description this is neither play or Jessie being nasty, she is possibly confused, excited, anxious or distressed - a good behaviourist will help identify which and how to help you all through it 

Jayne

[PennyB]

could it be she's getting overexcited and mouthy

at times like this its worth getting help if you're not sure how to continue as it sounds like a training issue as well and she needs to learn control but also it may take time partly because she's hitting her teens.

In the meantime while waiting to see someone its also worth going back to basics doing simple training tasks to get her listening to you and bonding with you (at this age they're getting more confidence and need to be reigned back in a little)

[lesley3165]

I can't offer any advice but when Meg was about 8 months old she, on 2 occasions got really excited on a walk and started jumping up and grabbing my arm.  I just stopped walking and completely ignored her.  We then contacted top barks and mark suggested using tennis balls on our walks. It has totally transformed her, the only downside now is that if another dog approaches her when she has the ball she can be very snappy with them  we have to keep an eye out at all times.  If she doesn't have the ball she plays nicely

[HBP]

Hudson jumps up and "snaps" at me if I'm running for him to chase me - he gets overexcited. This is one of the only tines he barks too. Could Jessie be getting overexcited with the children around? (Who are probably also excited and fast moving)

[Fanofjess]

Thank you everyone. I try to work out when she is going to be doing it, and whistle her back before anything happens giving lots of praise to her. If I put her on an extending lead she's fine, it's just when she has free reign. The thing is I really wanted my children to be able to be the ones to get her to stop, my worry was that when me or my husband make her stop, (which she does when we call her or approach her, but only because she then runs off) she thinks she can still ignore them. If anyone has any recommendations for behaviourist in the Gu52 are I'd really appreciate it.

[Pearly]

Hi it might be worth sending a PM to Top Barks as he may know of someone in your area