Do all herding breeds do this?

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Gempress

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Like I've said before, this is my first experience with a herding breed. Voodoo was a VERY mouthy dog when we first got him. I understand it's a catahoula trait--they're "grippy" herding dogs, as oppossed to dogs that use a lot of eye or stalk.

We've long since taught him that it's unacceptable to nip or mouth. But it's like the desire hasn't gone away. He's always walking around clicking and chomping his teeth when excited. :rolleyes: For example, he'll shove his head under my hand and start happily chomping the air while I pet him.

Weirdo. :lol-sign:

I've never had a dog do this before. Is this a herding breed thing? Or is it a uniquely Voodoo quirk?
 
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Melissa_W

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Gempress said:
Like I've said before, this is my first experience with a herding breed. Voodoo was a VERY mouthy dog when we first got him. I understand it's a catahoula trait--they're "grippy" herding dogs, as oppossed to dogs that use a lot of eye or stalk.

We've long since taught him that it's unacceptable to nip or mouth. But it's like the desire hasn't gone away. He's always walking around clicking and chomping his teeth when excited. :rolleyes: For example, he'll shove his head under my hand and start happily chomping the air while I pet him.

Weirdo. :lol-sign:

I've never had a dog do this before. Is this a herding breed thing? Or is it a uniquely Voodoo quirk?
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haha, that's cute.

Kai is a bit mouthy, especially when he's excited. He kind of "air mouths" things he's not supposed to chew. He'll put his mouth right by it and open and close it. :p So I guess it's kind of similar to what Voodoo does. Shelties also have a "loose-eyed" herding style, so maybe that does have something to do with it. I never thought about it before.
 
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moonchild1970

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My two border collies do that too. Usually only when they get too excited in play.

I've trained them that biting a human is not allowed, so during play when they do get too wound up, and accidently try to grab the ball before it leaves my hand I just reprimind them and they about fall apart they look so sad.
 
Brattina88

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The Sheltie we had did it when she was young, but she grew out of it ^ ^

It's a german shepherd thing as well ;)
 
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Purdue#1

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aussies do it too. They were bred to nip the heels of cattle. I think that has a little bit to do with them being mouthy.
 
juliefurry

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Well Holly is a very mouthy puppy. She is a herding breeding as well. She doesn't have quite an urge to nip people though so I don't know. I know Maverick (who was part collie or sheltie or something like that) would nip your heels and try to get you where he thought you should be.
 
dogsarebetter

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Ruckus is mouthy at air.
sometimes he will get wild and chew on my arm.
he snaps his teeth at the air too, and all you hear is a loud
"CHOMP, chomp"
 
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SummerRiot

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HAHA Jada does the chomp chomp thing too!!

Riot is just mouthy in general.. mostly on peoples arms - he has a soft mouth but still mouthy and scares the poop out of "new" people lol
 
Renee750il

Renee750il

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Well, so far we have Collies, Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, German Shepherds, Belgians, Australian Shepherds, Shelties, Filas - and Voodoo . . . have I missed anyone?. . . all mouthy :)
 
RD

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*nods* Very common. :)

Dakota isn't mouthy, but as a substitute he's licky. I can't give him attention without getting at least one lick, and if he *wants* attention, I get a few dozen more. :rolleyes:
 
shadowfacedanes

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I've had three ACD fosters and one australian shep foster....all four were nibblers. The one red ACD was the worst - he had been previously worked whereas the others had not. He would do the flea bite thing but if he could get a grip of anything (flesh, clothing, etc) he would hold on and it HURT!! He destroyed plenty of my pants! :mad:

The shepherd was just mouthy period. He nipped me, the other dogs, and chewed on EVERYTHING under the sun. When I say everything, I mean everything - concrete, chain link, tin, trees....:rolleyes:
 
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