QuestionHaving had an unexpected change in my personal circumstances I've had to move from a farm to the outskirts of my local town with my much loved border collie who is 2.5 yrs old. He's learning to be a town dog and gets three decent walks a day plus lots of ball play. He has a bad habit I'm trying to break of snacking at people (usually men and by no means all he meets) he doesn't know. It happens if they approach him. I don't want to have to muzzle him but am starting to wonder what I can do as I'm concerned someone will get upset and report him to the authorities (it's happened a handful of times in the last couple of months since we moved) In other ways he's really coming along and is much better at walking on a slack lead and sitting and lying etc on command. Do you have any suggestions please?
Many thanks
AnswerHi Carol,
I am not sure what you mean by "snacking of people" unless your border collie becomes aggressive with certain men. If that is the case, I can certainly relate as I was placed in a similar circumstance two years ago. My Boy (who has become the neighborhood "mascot" due to his friendly nature) would on occasion be fine and then just spring into action and lunge with intent to ward off an attacker. He was being protective and sensed something I certainly didn't! Nevertheless,I had to let him know that was not appropriate behavior. I knew my dog and knew the cause as he is very protective of me. Likewise, you are the one to assess the cause of this behavior. Is your dog protecting you also? Is he being territorial? Is he afraid? What is happening when he attacks? Training will depend upon the cause.
I walk my male collie with a choke chain and when I anticipate a behavior from him that might be aggressive, I tighten the lead. (This website explains what I mean: http://www.pawsacrossamerica.com/interpret.html ) I am sure you can pretty much tell what your dog is doing also as it sound like you have a close bond. Just be casual during your walks and enjoy them as usual but be perceptive in the reactions of your border collie. At the first sign of any impending attack tighten the lead. Now, being as I do not know the cause of the attacks (ie. mailman, man holding something in hand, etc.) it would be difficult to tell you exactly how to approach this issue other than to tell you whatever command you decide to give to your dog in training for a specific behavior, you want to use it consistently and use the same body language when you say it. My dog watches my moves and will respond to hand and arm movements. Remember also that praise is needed for good behavior. So if you tighten up on the lead at the first sign of impending attack and give your command, then when your dog follows your command...praise him. If you are being consistent in your training methods, your dog will try to please you.
And finally, as my website is under reconstruction, here is an excellent website for your reference:
http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/LA/Weintraub1.htm The Icons at the bottom will take you to different places on the site.
I do wish you the best. If you are confident you are doing the training correctly, then you will need to consult with a training specialist locally that will work with YOU and THE DOG. I am against trainers that do not also work with you and help with the communication bond between owner and dog.
Should you have additional questions, please feel free to write.
