QuestionAbout 2 weeks ago I rescued a 18 mo. old Border Collie from the local SPCA who I re-named Toby. (His previous name evoked a fear reaction in him). He's been learning well, but it's obvious now that no one provided any actual training in his first year and a half. He is not housebroken except for the association he's made between peeing/pooping indoors and the imminent beating that (in his previous world) follows. SPCA officials tell me he was apparently neglected and beaten regularly in his old home.
I'd like to get him housebroken (of course) but I'm VERY cautious about any negative treatment. His normal behavior is to 'make' on the rug, then immediately go into a cowering position or rolling onto his back in surrender. I've tried, when I catch him 'oopsing' on the rug, taking him directly outside, however he appears terrified when put on an outside leash and will not leave the porch. He's being taken out every 3 hours and walked 3x per day. He's praised and rewarded for going outside but the information does not seem to be carried over once back inside.
He's a very sweet dog though not well socialized with humans (he will bark and nip at newcomers in the home therefore must be restrained when people come over). He's never acted aggressively towards myself or my sons (ages 9 & 11)
I have all the patience in the world to help him but want to do right by him. What's the best way to attempt re-training without tapping into the fears of his past? I desperately don't want to take him back to the SPCA for fear he'll be euthanized for being aggressive or unwanted.
I'm thoroughly enjoying Toby (especially the weight loss I've experienced with now walking him 2-3 miles 3x/day) but need some help in redirecting his behavior to make him the good dog he wants to be.
P.S. Any suggestions on how to teach him to play 'fetch' would be greatly appreciated too. When the ball is thrown, he does chase after it, sniff it, then leaves it where he found it. Especially outdoors.
Please help me help him.
AnswerHello Christine,
I would highly recommend that you seek professional help for this dog but not from an ordinary trainer, but rather a dog behavior specialist. Perhaps someone like Cesar Millan, the famous 'Dog Whisperer'. These issues are too involved to try to answer over the Internet.
Your dog needs to be rehabiliated, not necessarily "trained".
I would not worry about teaching him to fetch until you've got him acting like a dog again. This may involve leaving your dog with a "balanced" pack of rehabilited dogs. To understand what I am talking about, you may want to pick up some books from Cesar's website at http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/
Thank you for your questions and I wish you and Toby the best!
Ann Jordan
Border Collie Coach
