Tempest Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 As most of you know Scout my new addition the 14 week old Border Collie came home on Thursday She had a bad few initial weeks which were spent on a farm and when she went into foster she hadn't been socialised at all so her fosterer was doing loads with her before she came here Initially when she meets another dog she tends to bark/growl and sometimes has a bit of a snap but once she's said hello she's fine and rolls over and is very submissive licking the other dogs face. I don't think it's a dominance thing but more that she's scared and not quite sure what to do perhaps? She had her induction at puppy class last night and she was really barking and snapping at the other puppies and I wasn't really sure the best way to handle it so any advice would be much appreciated. She's still only a baby so I know I need to do lots with her socialisation but I just want to get things right for her so any advice on the best way to handle things would be great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pollylolly Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 I know that there will be others along that know oodles on this , but our trainer told me off for stroking Jed when he was like this . She said I was 'rewarding him for being naughty' - I thought I was comforting She said to distract and walk away - not much use I know but Jed was much older too so maybe its not the same Good luck and hope you settle her down pdq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlmckay Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Sounds like fear aggression. In a nutshell, watch her with new dogs and BEFORE she starts the bark thing, call her to you - use a tidbit or toy if you have to. Reward her for coming back to you under her own steam. If she has already done the bark/snap, call her back, tug on the lead if necessary and then take a few steps back so that she is returning to you under her own steam, then reward when she's walked quite a bit away from the other dog. The idea is that she makes a decision to return to you and not attack the other dog. Your voice command over-riding her desire to jump in and be aggressive because she's frightened. You are a rock to her, a safe place, nothing bad happens when she stays with mum. I've used this with Raven and its super effective. If she greets a dog and then she becomes scared, I see her hackles go up, I call her and she comes away instantly - saves a lot of hassle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffymonkey Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 (edited) Congratulations on your new arrival Hope she's settling in well. As you say, it's still very early days, and she is still a puppy, so it's obviously really important to get her socialised as much as possible soo sh learns to to beghave around other dogs. I'm no behaviourist, so I'm not sure what the cause of her barking is, but the advice I was given with my pup was to get her to a puppy class so she can learn to interact with other dogs in a fu, non-scary environment At 14 weeks, she's still young enough (They usually take pups until they start getting adult teeth through) . Have a look here: APDT linkie This is a site which helps you find accredited trainers in your area Might also be worth posting in Doggie Chat and asking for personal recommendations? IF they won't take her in puppy class, maybe basic obedience, even if hjust from the socilaising her with lots of other dogs in a safe environment perspective? Also, make sure you pop along and view a puppy class before you actually sign up (same goes for any class) - if you're not comfortable with it, don't go. Remember, the stuff you do now will really affect her future, so try and make things positive and fun for her Hope you work it out together ps. Have you got a copy of 'the perfect puppy' by gwen bailey yet? It';s meant to be really good, but I only heard of iot once mine was 6 months old (she seemed to turn out ok anyway... thanks to lots of Refuge and DP advice...) pps. Is she a wiccaweys doglet? If so, it may be worth giving them a ring for some advice? Edited September 12, 2006 by staffymonkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gundogsgalore Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I would keep her at a distance where she feels safe with other dogs around. If you leave it til she has got scared, then it's too late .... waiting for hackles to go up is too late IMO because that means she has got close enough to be scared. So, keep her far enough away that she is happy, and reward her with lots of praise and treats. Gradually you will be able to get her closer and closer to other dogs that she will feel comfortable being around them. How is Ollie now Jules, is he any happier ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanishPastry Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Jules has posted this thread LINK. (an extra to her ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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