I'm responding to a comment posted here about a sheltie nipping, I have noticed lately that my sheltie, a 4 year old tri colored has been showing some agression lately. He hates the neighbors and has a fit when anyone comes within 15 feet of the house. He seems to bark at everyone. A few days ago I caught him nipping at the neighbors heels as she was comming up the walk to her unit *we live in a 4plex unit with a common yard*. I have scolded him quite a bit about this and despite efforts between my husband and i we can't seem to break him of this habbit. He has always been close to me. We first got him when my husband was spending winters in the arctic circle moving oil rigs around. I have learned that shelties have a tendancy to be skittish and nervous, yet devoted to their owners. The issue here appears to be that rusty seems to think he needs to protect me, and it seems that he's doing so all the time. He sits at guard at my feet at all hours of the day and sleeps beside my bed. He even follows me into the bathroom or sits at the bathroom door while i'm in there if i don't let him in. He does eventually warm up to people, but the fact that we have lived across the yard from these neighbors hasn't detered him from his actions, and it's getting to the point where my husband and I are at a loss for ideas on how to correct rusty's behavior. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
