QuestionHello:
I have a Sheltie who is almost 3 years old. We live with my mother and he has been around her for over a year. He lays down by the couch nearby me and stares at her sitting over on the love seat. When she trys to talk to him and say, "Nice Doggie" and "Hello Ranger", his ears go straight up and sometimes he will growl and he will bark. Then he gets up and leaves and goes behind the couch where I am sitting. He will come back but he will keep his distance and just stare at her. I have to tell him to lay down by me. He won't go near her. When she calls him to come over, he won't listen to her. He has had some socializing and he sees her everyday. I'm not sure why his behavior is different with her. What do you think! Thanks! Patty
AnswerPatty:
Dogs are not as complex as people sometimes make them out to be. He sees her as a threat. By his vigilance over you toward her I would also add that he sees her as a threat to you.
It would not surprise me if he regularly made an effort to stand between the two of you as well.
The only answer here, assuming that your mother is the only one he does this to, is that your Sheltie thinks he has a good reason to not like your mother. If he acts this way regularly to people then there are some socilization issues.
If not...
Speculation can run rampant here so I'll leave it up to you why he would feel threatened by her. Yes, you should consider what has happened when you were not around.
My advice is simple: do not let your mother interact with the Sheltie without your supervision. Crate him away from her when you cannot be there. Period. Shelties my seem docile but they are good herding dogs because they are not afraid to protect the flock from a threat. I'm not saying he will maul your mom, just understand that she is definitely not part of his flock and he views her like he would a wolf.
I hope this insight helps. IF your mother is willing, ask me and I'll get her instructions on making friends with your pup.
'sneezes
Dave
