eyesight

Question
Hi Shelley
We have a wonderful red merle aussie named Boomer. He is just over a year old and is very smart and beautiful. I have two questions:
1. Concerning his eyesight - not sure if he has a problem, but sometimes he barks at people (even my husband) he knows well. Is there a way to tell if his eyesight is bad? He has one blue and one amber eye. One pupil does seem a bit foggy, like a cataract but not really.

2. He may be a 'fear biter'. Again, not sure. When he gets excited, sometimes he gets snappy. Is there a way to cure him of this? I am a bit concerned when there are children around.

Thanx, I really appreciate your feedback.
Carolyn

Answer
1) It is a good idea to include a regular opthomologist check to your annual health check up every year. This not only helps you discover any early onset problems, but provides the breeder of your dog with feedback on health issues that may impact the future of their breeding programs.

An organization called CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation) trains and certifies canine opthomologists and provides documentation on eye diseases in all purebred breeds. I have written a small article explaining what a CERF examination consists of:  http://www.shalakoaussies.com/CERFExam.html

This is a link to the CERF website and provides the location of accredited ACVO clinics and vets in each state.
http://www.vmdb.org/clinic.html

The fact that your dog barks when seeing people he knows isn't necessarily an indication of a developing eye problem, but it helps to check just in case. Dogs eye sight is not nearly as clear as our own and so shadows, odd hats, coats and other differences can confuse the dog until it has an opportunity to identify the subject through familiar smells and sounds.
The fact that you are seeing a foggy or grayish appearance in a pupil is a good reason to have this problem checked out by an opthalmologist. If there is a problem, please let your breeder know so that they can use that information to assist them in making future breeding plans. Cataracts are one of the known inherited problems in the Australian Shepherd. The onset of these can be anywhere from six months to six years of age.


2)Fear biting is motivated by a dogs insecurity and panic in a perceived fearful situation. What you are describing sounds like the dog is nipping out of excitement. This is a common dog behavior and not a temperamental issue. It is painful and can be problematic because although the dog doesn't intend to hurt, it can break skin and frighten people, especially very young children.

The dog should be taught that biting is unacceptable. Children should not be allowed to engage the dog in games of chase, especially with herding breeds whose natural instinct is to chase and bite moving targets.

If the children are going to be rough housing and playing, the dog should be removed from the area while those activities are going on until such a time as the dog is properly trained to behave in a restrained manner.

I recommend attending obedience classes with a trainer who has experience and education in canine behavioral modification. There are lots of obedience classes, but not all trainers are experienced or knowledgable enough to handle behavior issues.

Good luck with your pup!