Dog behaviourlist

My parents recently adopted a collie from the dog's trust who has a few issues due to been a stray and previously been mistreated. His main issues appear to be that he hates other dogs and becomes a nervous wreck and also hates children and prams.

Its becoming so bad at present that my parents are considering hiring someone to help them train him and hopefully create a happier dog.They have had other dogs from similar backgrounds but as they are now slightly older this has become a little harder for them.

When the dog is home and just with my parents he is an amazingly friendly and playful dog. But its just out on walks and if anyone visits.

Can anyone suggest anyone who can help? They rescued him from The Dogs Trust in Manchester and they could help but my parents dont drive so have no way of getting there regularly.

He is a lovely dog and just needs a little love, care and attention something he hasnt had for the first years of his life.

Thanks in advance

Where abouts are they ? Collies need lots of excersise . You need to walk him with other dogs there are lots of things you can do to help the situation depends what you have tried already .

Hi they are based at Upperthorpe with a park next door to the house. He's getting the exercise just freaking out if he sees another dog. My mum is currently walking him when the park is empty as he is still getting to know and trust her as well as dealing with his issues.

The Dogs Trust advised that he would need lots of bringing around and they are in it for the long road, think they just want to make sure that they can give him the best chance of having a normal life.

try Lottie on here or boneyfido they are both very good

Your parents are very good to have taken on this poor dog. They need to be realistic though. Nervousness such as you describe sometimes cannot be trained out. The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors could be a good place to start. The link here is by Victoria Stilwell - '5 Things I want Anyone With a Fearful Dog To Know.' As Dog Trust says, this could take a very long time so they need to be realistic and not to expect too much of the dog.

Your parents are very good to have taken on this poor dog. They need to be realistic though. Nervousness such as you describe sometimes cannot be trained out. The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors could be a good place to start. The link here is by Victoria Stilwell - '5 Things I want Anyone With a Fearful Dog To Know.' As Dog Trust says, this could take a very long time so they need to be realistic and not to expect too much of the dog.

That's a good article, but I find the main problem with attempting to deal with your dog being afraid of other dogs is that all the advice (such as Victoria's own 'look at that' thing) replies on the use of stooge dogs and being able to be sure you won't encounter a psychopathic labrador every other day (so, never going to happen).

You can try your best but it's all undone as soon as the next 'oh don't worry he's friendly' idiot border terrier owner lets it run over and snap around your dog.

Advocating 'parallel walking' etc is all well and good - but that replies on having a field to yourself and a patient friend with a well behaved dog.

And then like us you never know when the next staffy is going to run over and take a chunk out your dog as happened to us the other week, leaving our dog cowering in absolute terror when she saw a staffy at the vets this morning.

I've given up now and will be avoiding everyone as far as possible.

That's a good article, but I find the main problem with attempting to deal with your dog being afraid of other dogs is that all the advice (such as Victoria's own 'look at that' thing) replies on the use of stooge dogs and being able to be sure you won't encounter a psychopathic labrador every other day (so, never going to happen).

lol, very true. I found that training out dog aggression was a nightmare as you cannot control other dogs when out and about. Most dog aggression is caused by fear. My dog is a bit of a mix of fear and partly he has to be in control. I can just tell from another dogs body language if it will be a good mix or not! He just cannot tolerant nervous dogs or ones that are in his face or will not back down. Chilled, polite dogs he is great with. He will happily play/ ignore / wrestle with these and has some lovely doggy mates, others he hates.

Interestingly I found the best place to work with fear aggression was a decently run dog agility club. Everyone will be aware and keep their distance if you ask them, you can stand as far/ close as the dog is comfortable and work on your own training drills between runs, agility is fun and treat based for the dog and is something they enjoy...I found that the other dogs where not an issue as the dog is focused and having fun but they are learning that other dogs are safe and will not bother if they don't. Agility is often full of other collies and people that are experienced with the breed and will happily share tips. The collies I've seen are very complex dogs, too clever for their own good, I know I could never cope with one as they are not easy to trick into new behaviours.

I wouldn't hesitate to reccomend Carol at Bulls Eye Dog Training. We're currently working with our rescue who's obviously been beaten and is very reactive towards other dogs.

He's a nightmare to walk at the moment but we are noticing small improvements, and he definitely seems more comfortable in himself since following advice from Carol. We were doing a lot right, but a few bits wrong which were confusing things for the poor lad!

It's not a quick process. Unfortunately we're now having to try and undo a couple of years of bad treatment and no socialisation. He's only about two though - far too young for us to dream of giving upon him! Hopefully he'll get there and will live out his days as a confident, happy pooch.

Reassure your parents!! They are going to feel like they're hitting their head against a brick wall but eventually, small changes will happen!

It's not a quick process. Unfortunately we're now having to try and undo a couple of years of bad treatment and no socialisation. He's only about two though - far too young for us to dream of giving upon him! Hopefully he'll get there and will live out his days as a confident, happy pooch.

 

Reassure your parents!! They are going to feel like they're hitting their head against a brick wall but eventually, small changes will happen!

Sounds like you are doing well. There is also quite a big problem finding good trainers willing to work with dog aggressive dogs so recommendations are always useful! Mine was about 1 1/2 when we got him and took 3 years of wearing a muzzle till he was trusted enough to be able to be muzzle free. Trainers tried with us and eventually deemed him to severe to continue to work with he is now about 8. I have the upmost respect for anyone willing to train dog aggressive dogs as they are not easy even if perfect dogs in every other way, it is not something I would ever choose to do again!

I do think dog aggression will always be there if very ingrained, once a dog learns the behaviour to get rid of another dog that will always be their default if they feel scared/ unsure...it is learning as an owner what the boundaries are and reading the situations and not to put your dog into them. But yes it does get better, if not 100% perfect and you need other dogs to help in a controlled situation to overcome it.