Australian Shepherd owners, tips please!

[GreenJay]

We just adopted an Aussie from our local shelter. I don't have advice to give, but will be following along to learn as well.

Congrats on your new Aussie!

 

[RcoM]

A little background on me. In the 90s I owned & trained obedience dogs.
My dogs are always trained using motivation. We won many competitions, we being myself, Crystal & Oscar. Crystal & Oscar were German Shorthairs. I have always had hunting breeds, and my shorthairs all had hunting titles. I always had a lab to remind me how awesome life is.
Fast forward to 2023. My husband & I have been so happy with our two little doggies! A 7 yo Chiweenie & a 15 yo terrier mix. Retired, did a little traveling, so happy!
Then - a starving puppy showed up.
Too many unwanted animals, no group or shelter would take him. We agreed to foster him. Told to give him a good name. What is a better name than JJ Watt
JJs behavior confused me, I thought I knew a thing or two about training.
So much guessing about what breeds were mixed up in this sweet, extremely intelligent guy.
JJ is now 6 months old and it is obvious that he is an Australian Shepherd mix. I have sent his DNA test in to see what else is in there, but I’m sure there is also Labrador because of physical traits.
Yes, we are foster failures We have adopted JJ Watt Smith!
***If you made it this far Thank you! In looking up information about Australian Shepherds JJ Watts behavior started making sense. Very mouthy, wants to nip ankles, smart beyond belief. Last night I read a few articles about training a herding dog, not to train JJ, for more information about his behavior.
JJ Watt seems to have all the desired instincts to be a great herding dog.
I have ordered a ‘herding ball’, and three treat puzzles and balls. The herding ball is an oversized soccer ball, was recommended in an article for JJs age & size. They all get here tomorrow 12/24.
JJ is food motivated. He is trained to come, sit, down, don’t jump on people and sit when meeting someone new. My husband takes JJ somewhere every day for a walk and is trying to make sure JJ is exposed (safely) to as much as possible. All of the above is generic, something I have done regardless of breed.
Now that I know JJ isn’t defective, I want to do right by him. (defective, kidding!)
I need to stop JJ from nipping our heels, we are old people and don’t want to fall. Tips or suggestions please.
Any and all advice, suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated!
I will add pictures.

I actually had a border collie, who had this problem and constantly did it to my mother. I saw a vet and he suggested that I desex him and do some behaviour training with him. This included negative reinforcement through growling menacing, ignoring or tying up when he exhibited nipping behaviours on humans. It also meant praising calm behaviour and giving a command, which he knew meant stop. I thought my dog was beyond help due to the severity of some incidences, but he actually became an excellent dog and very well-behaved. He was adopted by us and four years old when we got him. After we sought help and advice which we took and worked hard at, within 12 months, he was completely rehabilitated in his behaviours and lived happily until 16 1/2. We were told that the next step was to see a vet that specialises in behaviour. It wasn’t needed though so we never did. A strong, firm owner personality is needed but I think you have that.

 

[RcoM]

You might want to create a “no go” zone around your back legs and back. Because they approach from behind. Just use someone facing you to alert you to the approach. Use your voice to warn of the invisible boundary. Create test or training situations and work on one goal at a time. You’ve trained dogs before so you can do this!