staffymonkey Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 Maddie wasn't very nice to a border collie at the weekend. Which really freaked me out, because normally she's really, really good with other dogs. We were sitting in a beer garden, she was in the shade and had water and some ice to chew. We'd been there an hour or so, and she was happily sleeping under the table, occasionally waking up to lick people's feet and scrounge for crisps. She didn't seem to hot - wasn't panting or anything, just a bit sleepy and lazy - gums were normal colour, breathing, normal. A guy comes in with a gorgeous young BC bitch, sits at a nearby table and starts throwing a ball around the beer garden for her. The ball ends up about 3 ft from where Maddie is lying. Maddie wakes up, and just quietly growls at it - she doesn't lunge or anything - just warns the BC off. I didn't do anything about it - just kept a tight hold on maddie's lead just in case, and got someone else from the table to chuck the ball away from Mads, and all was well after that - a couple more quiet grizzles, but only when the BC got too close for Maddie's comfort. IMO, she wasn't being out of order - just telling the other dog that she didn't want her in her space - but do you think I need to be worried? Thing is, she's never been aggressive to other dogs before. I know her history - she's been attacked on a few occasions, never by a BC - so far its been black labs, mized breeds, a GSD and a number of jack russels. Every time anything's gone for her (she's only been hurt on one occassion), I've made sure to find a similar looking friendly dog and to carefully introduce them, then let them have a play. Now she's about 14 months, and she's always happy to play with other dpgs, and always friendly - unless the another dog growls or snaps at her, in which case she'll react (which I think's fair enough...) . I guess I'm a bit freaked out because I've never seen her 'start it' as such... though it really looked more like a quiet warning than any urge to fight. Hmmmmm. What do we think - normal, reasonable occurance that I'm reading too much into, or something that's worth worrying about? Or is it just because she's growing up and is less keen to play all the time and a bit more self confident about telling other dogs to get out of her face? If it needs working on/worrying about, what to do? Make an effort to meet lots of 'nice' BCs, and carefully introduce them? All that aside, there is something else that concerns me too - OH's dad's dog's a BC, who is always very growly whenever he's met Maddie (and has been since he first met her at 12 weeks - he's fear agressive about black dogs, and maddie's black). I'm wondering whether this has something to do with it? Though he's a dog, and the dog in question is a bitch, they had very similar build and markings? I'm a bit worried about what will happen next time maddie and OH's dad's dog meet. I'm concerned that we might have a bit of a problem on our hands now she's older, and isn't as submissive as she used to be... is there anything you'd all recommend, other than avoid it, and be very, very, very careful? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffymad Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 To be honest if this is the first incident I wouldn't worry at all. Dogs same as humans are allowed to take a instant dislike to one another. She was happy snoozing away and might got spooked by the ball and then as a result by the BC invading her space at the time. Snatch hates one dog, a black lab he took a instant dislike to from near enough 300 yeards, but he is fine with all other black labs and dogs. I wouldn't worry too much for now Cindy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanishPastry Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 lots of dogs don't like bc's because of their eyes as well. Indy gets spooked by collie eyes and will growl. Sounds like Maddie just didn't wanna be disturbed in her nice nap. You also need to remember at 14 months she is entering adulthood and may "grow up" a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffymonkey Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 (edited) Thanks guys - from what I've read, seen, and know of Maddie, I didn't think it was anything to worry too much about - 'twas a very hot day, and she did only 'warn her off', which I think is totally fair enough, really . It's just when you get people sitting around you going ' well, how surprising, an aggressive staffy' ( ), it kinda prompts you to be concerned, you know? And yep, doggiemom, I hadn't thought of that, but the collie WAS doing that collie-stare thing. Just really nice to have you lot to turn to for reassurance occasionally By the by, we met some other dogs on our walk last night, and she behaved just as she normally does, fairly submissive, until they've agreed to play, then her usual, playful, boistrous madamy self! I'm interested to see what the next few months bring on that front though - as you say, 14 months is the beginning of becoming adult, and already she's seeming a bit calmer... and not always so keen to play... Edited July 18, 2006 by staffymonkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylor Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Just wanted to add that as Maddie was under the table she could have possibly felt braver to growl, thats quite normal and possibly wouldnt have happened at all had she not been in an "enclosed" space looking out ..... I think you are doing the right thing keeping her as socialised as possible however the age she is at now is maturity starting to kick in and Its important to keep a close eye on her behaviour with other dogs at this developing stage, most importantly as the others have said it is at present an isolated incident so dont panic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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