My dog has a problem!

[BandiTank]

My male Aussie is a year old and he has a problem with sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. Every time he does we swat him on the nose (gently), but it takes about 5 times until he stops. Can anybody help?

Thanks,

Rachel & Bandit

[Logan]

I think rather than "swatting", you should probably try to give a firm "No" or other appropriate command (I know some people don't like just "no", but rather "No Nosy" or something like that). Then, redirect his attention in a postive way with a toy or something, and then praise, praise, praise! I am a real believer in positive reinforcement.

Good luck.
Logan

[cockerlover25]

I don't believe in hitting dogs no matter what they have done! Or any animal for that matter, I believe in a gentle yet firm handling. I know someone that hits there dog everytime he did something bad, now everytime his owners find out he did something wrong while they were away they couldn't find him for a couple days because he would hide so he wouldn't get hit. By the time that they had found him they forgot about what he did and were so happy that they found him that he didn't have to worry about being hit. I find that very disturbing!

[MHMama]

I have often wonder what people do about this. This is the one big advantage to a small dog like Ricky. He can't reach any of those areas to sniff.