The Shar-Pei Forums-Health Behavior Diet & Rescue Info and Discussion Group

Hi guys I am new to the world of Shar Pei. I have had my little boy since he was 3 weeks old (his litter was abandoned by the mother). He is now a year old and I am having a bit of trouble training him. He has the basics down pat, but he doesn't always listen to me. He also has a jumping problem.

Also some tips on how to clip his nails would be great (: He is particular about his feet, he doesn't like people touching his feet or his head (this makes the halti a major drama). He has also shown aggression to unknown males.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Welcome. We have a few owners on the board with dogs similar to yours. I am one of them. So big hugs for loving your pei!

You have a special dog. Breed has something to do with some of the behavior

and then you have a dog that probably did not get the vital early 7 weeks of human contact needed.
I always recommend the following book to owners of dogs that may not have been given that important window
of development. Do not let the label 'feral' worry you.
I have worked with many dogs (two are in my home now) that 'missed out'....
http://www.voice4dogs.com/feral-dog.html
and this link also has great tips for training dogs with various issues:
http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/p ... ogLife.pdf

On the topic of nail trimming a shar pei. Oh boy! I have trained many breeds and I must admit
shar pei are my greatest challenge when it comes to nail trimming a ear cleaning. Feisty buggers.
(Well I had a hybrid wolf who was pretty scary too but when his were too long and impeded his movement
he would eventually submit to getting a trim)
I resorted to trusting a vet tech who works a my vet's office who is very experienced in dealing
with the 'fits' of a shar pei.
I pay a bit of fee for Noodle. She costs me $11. The other two have adapted to a dremel. it takes practice
and alot of trust.
Post pictures of your shar pei!! You can paste links from photobucket, if that is easier than shrinking the pics!

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Welcome search the forums for info on training as well you may find something that will work for your pei.
Work on one specific training task at a time. You may want to consider hiring a trainer to work one on one with you both then move to a small class

Start by touching his paws and treat him. When he is comfortable with that touch with the dremel, and treat him. Turn the dremel on and make him lie down and treat him. Go slow with touching his paw with the dremel running. Be calm and talk very softly. It may take awhile for him to submit but it will eventually happen. Don't let him be the boss. You are in control. I think my dogs have always submitted because they knew a very tastey treat would be their reward. After a bath, ear cleaning or nail trimming they ran to the kitchen. This has been true for the 4 Pei I have owned. As for jumping, try turning your back on him and don't allow any greating when he does it. Say un ahh. If he does this when guest come to your house, train him to go to a certain spot in the house in a sit stay command. Let the guests be seated and free him to see them. Ask them to ignore him until he is calm. If he gets all jumpy, put him back in the sit stay spot. I make mine sit on the stairs with a gate across. Once the guests come in and the dogs are calm they get released. This works for me. Now that I only have MeiLi it isn't a problem. She behaves quite well with company. Leia used to get a bit riled up. You could also practice his greeting routine with friends. Have them ring the door bell, put him in a sit stay and open the door. If he lunges toward them, keep putting him back in the sit stay. Have your friends ring the bell again and try to enter. Don't let them enter until he stays put and is calm.

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Leia 12/29/02 to 11/01/11 Will be forever missed.
MeiLi Birthdate 02/28/06

Thanks guys!

He did actually get the "vital 7 weeks of social time" But it was with close family and friends only...Is that a bad thing? I did want him to he stand offish with strangers (I'm a 20 year old female and I live alone so it's nice to know he will keep me safe ha)

He actually accepts bath time really well! And cleaning his ears has always been a breeze. With his paws he only accepts me playing with them for a little while before he gets jack of it. I have looked into getting a vet to do it (I am a bit chicken to do it incase I hurt him.)

He sits really well, specailly at dinner time (: But he doesn't lay down...Ever...Not even when he is pooped out after running around like a loon...He never lets his belly touch the gound it is always raised slightly and he never lays on his back? Is this normal for a Shar Pei??

Also do yours "talk"? Cause Duke is an absolute chatterbox.

I never intended to get a Shar Pei. When I got Duke he was given to me a Golden Retriever 0.o But I wouldn't change him for the world (: The last dog I had was a Kelpie so this is a huge change for me, so any tips/tricks/hints are greatly appreciated (:

As for pics I will upload a few when I find the camera (:

Tai Shan is a labrador in character, i can do anything with him.
I file his nails with a 100/100 nail file, for humans.
Let him snif at it and touch his paw with it. If he doesn't care about it file a bit on his nail and build the proces up.

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Greetz Debbie, Yen-ay & Tai Shan

http://www.millstream-photos.nl/

Oh I mis read Bronnie. Yes, its wonderful that your pei got human contact early on.
I like what jmanter stated for getting him used to the dremel.
And sometimes at about a year all breeds regardless of gender have
'pre teen/teen' angst. Some of it may be age related and with firm leadership. Not overly stern.
They get over the hump and calm down.

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Good news!!! I have now taught him to lay down...Fully lay down on his belly...So proud! (: At the moment he only lays down with his tennis ball as incentive (Treats don't even work =.=) But at least it is a positive step (:


Thank you all for your words of advice (: