AGGRESSION IN A BORDER COLLIE MIX

Question
JETER IS A 3 YEAR OLD BORDER COLLIE MIX WHO WE ADOPTED WHEN HE WAS 10 WKS OLD.  I MADE A POINT OF SOCIALIZING HIM WITH PEOPLE, DOGS AND CATS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND HE DID WELL WITH EVERYONE.  WHEN HE WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD, I TOOK HIM FOR A WALK IN THE PARK, AND A DOG LUNGED AT HIM.  SINCE THIS EXPERIENCE, I NOTED A FEW RANDOM SITUATIONS WHEN HE WOULD MEET ANOTHER DOG AND IMMEDIATELY GROWL, BARK AND PULL AT THE LEASH.  I TAKE HIM TO DOG PARKS AND HE IS USUALLY QUITE SOCIABLE, BUT HAS GOTTEN INTO A FEW MINOR SCUFFLES.  LAST YEAR, HE BIT MY MOTHER IN LAW.  SHE WAS TRYING TO SEPARATE MY TWO CHILDRED FROM ROUGH PLAY, REACHED OUT TO GRAB THEM, AND HE LUNGED FOR HER ARM.  A FEW WEEKS LATER, SHE REACHED OUT IN THE SAME MANOR TO GRAB SOMETHING OFF OF THE FLOOR, AND HE TRIED TO BITE HER AGAIN.  SHORTLY AFTER, I SEPARATED FROM MY HUSBAND, AND JETER AND I FOUND OURSELVES IN A NEW HOME.  HE HAS BEEN LESS THAN WELCOMING TO A FEW OF MY VISITORS AND HAS TAKEN ON THE ROLE OF "MAN OF THE HOUSE".  I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT HE FEELS SUPERIOR TO ME, ALTHOUGH I THINK HIS AGGRESSION COMES MORE FROM A SENSE OF DOMINANCE THAN FROM A TRULY AGGRESSIVE NATURE.  I FEEL THAT THE ISSUE WITH MY MOTHER IN LAW CAME FROM A DESIRE TO PROTECT, BUT WAS STILL NOT ACCEPTABLE.  I REALIZE I GAVE YOU A LOT OF INFO IN A NUTSHELL AND I HOPE IT MADE SENSE.  MY BIG PROBLEM NOW IS THIS:  I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING NEW PEOPLE IN MY NEW HOME, BECAUSE HIS BEHAVIOR IS UNPREDICTABLE.  I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT HE SEEMS TO BE ALMOST DE-SOCIALIZING HIMSELF WITH OTHER DOGS.  HE LIVED WITH TWO OTHERS, WHO HE STILL ENJOYS PLAYING WITH.  HE HAS A FRIEND WHO HE PLAYED WITH FOR 2 HOURS ONE DAY AND THEN STARTED A FIGHT SEEMINGLY OUT OF NO WHERE.  IF HE MEETS ANOTHER DOG WHILE ON HIS LEASH, HE WILL SNIFF, THEN GROWL AND LUNGE.  AS I STATED BEFORE, THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED UNTIL THE INCIDENT IN THE PARK, AND NOW I AM AFRAID TO GO TO THE DOG PARKS BECAUSE I AM UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE LACK OF CONTROL THAT I WILL HAVE WITH HIM OFF LEASH.  DESPITE ALL OF THIS HE IS A WONDERFULLY SWEET DOG AND HE IS INCREADIBLY SMART.  I CAN'T AFFORD PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND I AM PUTTING A LOT OF EFFORT INTO MAKING SURE HE KNOWS HIS PLACE IN THE HOUSEHOLD.  ONCE OUT WITH OTHER DOGS THOUGH I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THIS TYPE OF SITUATION, AND I DON'T WANT HIM TO MISS OUT ON BASIC SOCIALIZATION BECAUSE OF IT.  DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ME?

Answer
Hi Donna, It sounds to me like Jeter simply needs to go back to basics. He is now challenging people and dogs for authority in the pack. If you could take him to a local pet supermarket, especially one where they give obedience lessons, and let him watch the class, it would be helpful. When he tries to show that he is alpha over one of your friends, family or another dog, you need to step in and show them all that YOU and only you are the pack leader. When I introduce a new dog into my pack and they get aggressive or too playful with one another, I stand up and very firmly say "GENTLE", staring each one in the eyes. If I must, I will take the aggressor away and put him/her to work for a short time and then let him/her go back to the pack. Having a zero tolerance rule for any kind of aggression or rough housing is a good rule.  They can play all they want as long as there is no snarling, snapping, or biting. I make it a peaceful situation with everyone knowing that I alone am in charge, I am the alpha dog. Soon peace becomes the rule and good energy from all the dogs is evident. Since, in your situation, you are there most of the time to witness the aggression, you must step in with your authority, before play turns to violence. Good solid obedience training helps you keep control because you can say one word or give one hand signal he must obey you. Obedience training does not have to cost money, read books, write to me, practice on your own. Since this has been happening for some time, you can jump in now and correct it before it gets any worse. Check around, there should be someone in your area that either teaches obedience, does training for shows, hunting, agility...that may be able to help you for free, or at least let you be an observer with Jeter. Dogs do learn from watching other dogs. Dog parks are usually not the best places or teaching because there are many dogs there with bad habits of their own. But you can take him for walks, go to pet supermarkets, train in the home...where the environment is controlled at first and gradually exposing him to different situations. It is normal for him to try ot protect himself from a dog that is lunging at him, but you must step up and show him that you will not allow an out of control dog hurt him. Have friends with friendly dogs come for a quick visit so you can practice in your home. If he gets upset when someone comes to the door, let him bark three times and then sit by your side or go lay in a different room until you allow him to greet your guests. Practice with a collar and leash on him at first. Do not show any fear to him because he can feel your fear immediately. Take a leadership role and convince him that you alone are the Alpha dog and you are in complete control. Please try the techniques above, leave me some feedback, and get back to me if you have any questions or problems. If you need further explanation, do not hesitate to ask me. I am here and can walk you through it as needed. Please let me know how it goes. Border Collies are high energy dogs with a great herding instinct, which comes with nipping the heels of the herd, as you probably know. They need lots of exercise, so make sure you give him time to play catch, swim, play frisbee...just for fun. Keep me posted. Regards, Susan