QuestionBailey is 11 months old and we've had her 4 1/2 months. She has VERY STRONG herding instinct. She is very loving of our 2 & 4yr. old sons, never would harm them and they are very close. However, at my son's B-day party yesterday she bit my nephew's butt (hard enough to draw blood!) and tried to bite another boy before I could put her in the crate. She always has been aggressive with ppl she just meets, but this is the first time she has actually bitten someone. We have a 6 foot privacy fence now, but we will be moving in two weeks (tiny fence) and I'm worried she'll get out and hurt someone. I think she might stay in the yard once she learns the fence is her "boundary" but if a boy rides by on a bike????? She also tries to chase cars. I think she could jump over the fence now if she really wanted too-lol. That's why I'm thinking she might stay in our new yard. But when she is chasing something she is totally in the "zone" and is liable to do anything. She was aggressive with my cat when I first got her, but they play now. The cat even tries to get her to chase her.So I guess my questions are as follows- Can a dog with strong herding instinct be happy living in town with nothing to herd (besides a cat-lol), am I selfish for wanting to keep her? Is it possible to train her not to bite or chase cars, if so how? I guess I should also add that she is inside a lot and behave well inside, I hardly have to crate her at all anymore. She also gets plenty of exercise loves soccer and frisbee. Thanks for any help you can give!
AnswerHello Angie,
As with the last person's question, I highly recommend visiting the website of Cesar Millan. You may think your dog is getting enough exercise, but might not be. Also, if you have a dog with a strong herding instinct, it is never a good idea to leave them loose with a bunch of kids as this can be perceived by the dog as a herd of livestock.
Do not allow your dog to chase cars, bikes or anything of that nature, even from a distance. You will need to start formally training your dog so that when you walk together down the sidewalk, she does not lunge towards anything. She must be kept on leash until she learns the correct desired behavior. Until then, the privilege of being off-leash should be taken away.
Thank you.
Ann Jordan
Border Collie Coach
