Dog advice please!

[Doc Lynam]

This is a call to the NSC oracle or at least the dog owning ones! Have a Border Terrier (came with my girlfriend so I'm relatively new to dogs!) nearly 3 who can be nervous around some dogs and fine with others, but definitely a cautious animal. Slowly been trusting her of the lead as she bolts when she sees squirrels/ cats etc ( breed is famed for it! ). The other day she instigated a fight with another terrier whilst she was guarding a her ball we'd been playing fetch with; ends up with 2 dogs trying to attack her so i picked her up and became the centre of the attention for a few minutes whilst the other dogs jumped up and trying to bite her. Now when my partner walks her she reacts to other dogs and bites my partner. Taking her for a run tonight but any other practical ideas to stop her going into a red zone?

 

[pishhead]

Dump your girlfriend?

 

[moggy]

Dump your girlfriend?

Made me chuckle,
Couldn't you start by muzzling her when out walking? Might be an idea to get 2 muzzles then you could put one on the dog also

 

[Mutts Nuts]

This is a call to the NSC oracle or at least the dog owning ones! Have a Border Terrier (came with my girlfriend so I'm relatively new to dogs!) nearly 3 who can be nervous around some dogs and fine with others, but definitely a cautious animal. Slowly been trusting her of the lead as she bolts when she sees squirrels/ cats etc ( breed is famed for it! ). The other day she instigated a fight with another terrier whilst she was guarding a her ball we'd been playing fetch with; ends up with 2 dogs trying to attack her so i picked her up and became the centre of the attention for a few minutes whilst the other dogs jumped up and trying to bite her. Now when my partner walks her she reacts to other dogs and bites my partner. Taking her for a run tonight but any other practical ideas to stop her going into a red zone?

All dogs need firm training , train the dog to recall whatever the situation chasing squirrels rabbits cats etc then when she starts a fight she will stop and come to you immediately.It will be a slow process as she is no longer a pup but it will be a rewarding one

 

[Stat Brother]

It sounds like your dog has an elevated status, and is unnecessarily protective over her pack.
She might not be cautious, but she might be attempting to be domineering.


Dogs are pack animals, and so they need to be treated as the bottom of the pack.

This sounds like bollox, I know, I was certainly unsure but it's definitely true.

The hound needs to be:-

- Fed last.
- Not eat your food.
- Walk into rooms last.
- Not sit on laps.
- Not sit in elevated positions.
- Not picked up.
- Sits on command before doing anything.

Basically think of how your life is with your girlfriend, then make sure the dog is beneath you!!

If you do all of that already then you're on your own.
However if not, you need a new regime, which the dog will initially hate, but if you stick rigidly too it, that'll soon pass.

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

It sounds like your dog has an elevated status, and is unnecessarily protective over her pack.
She might not be cautious, but she might be attempting to be domineering.


Dogs are pack animals, and so they need to be treated as the bottom of the pack.

This sounds like bollox, I know, I was certainly unsure but it's definitely true.

The hound needs to be:-

- Fed last.
- Not eat your food.
- Walk into rooms last.
- Not sit on laps.
- Not sit in elevated positions.
- Not picked up.
- Sits on command before doing anything.

Basically think of how your life is with your girlfriend, then make sure the dog is beneath you!!

If you do all of that already then you're on your own.
However if not, you need a new regime, which the dog will initially hate, but if you stick rigidly too it, that'll soon pass.

all this is very sound advice

sometimes hard to carry out,but you must

 

[goldstone68]

Re call training would be a start, to stop her rushing off chasing things,
does she have a problem when she is eating her food from the bowl, if you move the bowl around or take it away from her, or even get close to her while she is eating?. If she does it could mean she has a possessive problem ie same with her ball etc, I would put a muzzle on her for a while when you are out walking and firmly correct her(verbally) when she reacts badly when meeting other dogs, but reward her with good behaviour (treats) and keep her on a lead for the time being.

this might help a bit until someone on NSC comes along who knows a lot more about dogs than me.

 

[Return of the Rev]

It sounds like your dog has an elevated status, and is unnecessarily protective over her pack.
She might not be cautious, but she might be attempting to be domineering.


Dogs are pack animals, and so they need to be treated as the bottom of the pack.

This sounds like bollox, I know, I was certainly unsure but it's definitely true.

The hound needs to be:-

- Fed last.
- Not eat your food.
- Walk into rooms last.
- Not sit on laps.
- Not sit in elevated positions.
- Not picked up.
- Sits on command before doing anything.

Basically think of how your life is with your girlfriend, then make sure the dog is beneath you!!

If you do all of that already then you're on your own.
However if not, you need a new regime, which the dog will initially hate, but if you stick rigidly too it, that'll soon pass.

This plus don't give him ownership of the door,if still a problem alter your walks to somewhere less busy where you can avoid types of dogs that trigger aggressive behaviour. And look for distraction techniques another ball/treats, Good luck can be stressful but keep control(don't bully)

 

[Doc Lynam]

Thanks for all the really sound advice some are giving. I can say the dog has been a real help for my partner and she has put so much time and effect into her training and the dog has been described by a trainer as the best and naughtiest he'd ever met! Feeding is good waits for as long as you want, sits by the door before we walk in. But only growls when we touch her to move her of the sofa when we want to sit down. When we have food the dog jumps of the sofa on command and lets us get on. Just seems very contradictory but as i said in pm maybe a muzzle is the way forward. One thing about the dog its very attention seeking and always wants to be in the middle!

 

[Return of the Rev]

Thanks for all the really sound advice some are giving. I can say the dog has been a real help for my partner and she has put so much time and effect into her training and the dog has been described by a trainer as the best and naughtiest he'd ever met! Feeding is good waits for as long as you want, sits by the door before we walk in. But only growls when we touch her to move her of the sofa when we want to sit down. When we have food the dog jumps of the sofa on command and lets us get on. Just seems very contradictory but as i said in pm maybe a muzzle is the way forward. One thing about the dog its very attention seeking and always wants to be in the middle!

Dog should not be on the sofa giving up ground to the dog.

 

[The Andy Naylor Fan Club]

You now know that she is possessive when it comes to her toys. When out walking don't stop her playing with her ball, just be vigilant about other dogs in the area. If you see another dog, distract yours and put the ball in your pocket out of sight. This will allow your dog to socialize with other dogs and learn how to behave. Remember this is her time and she has to learn/be taught how to behave with other dogs. Don't stress or over react when it comes to doggy fistycuffs, as long as it's not a full blown attack it is dogs testing there hierarchy and parameters. They have an order and once they get to know each other they know their place. I was told never to pick up a dog during a fight as the attacking dog or dogs are likely to turn on you. If they decide that they don't like each other they will avoid or ignore one another.

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

Thanks for all the really sound advice some are giving. I can say the dog has been a real help for my partner and she has put so much time and effect into her training and the dog has been described by a trainer as the best and naughtiest he'd ever met! Feeding is good waits for as long as you want, sits by the door before we walk in. But only growls when we touch her to move her of the sofa when we want to sit down. When we have food the dog jumps of the sofa on command and lets us get on. Just seems very contradictory but as i said in pm maybe a muzzle is the way forward. One thing about the dog its very attention seeking and always wants to be in the middle!

don't try physically removing the dog from the sofa

dogs work to commands and treats

alot of time and patience is required,but if the dog is staying then absolutely necessary

 

[Doc Lynam]

You now know that she is possessive when it comes to her toys. When out walking don't stop her playing with her ball, just be vigilant about other dogs in the area. If you see another dog, distract yours and put the ball in your pocket out of sight. This will allow your dog to socialize with other dogs and learn how to behave. Remember this is her time and she has to learn/be taught how to behave with other dogs. Don't stress or over react when it comes to doggy fistycuffs, as long as it's not a full blown attack it is dogs testing there hierarchy and parameters. They have an order and once they get to know each other they know their place. I was told never to pick up a dog during a fight as the attacking dog or dogs are likely to turn on you. If they decide that they don't like each other they will avoid or ignore one another.

Thanks i think you are absolutely right about letting them work it out but the other owners panicked so having little experience i just picked her up as she was getting bite and yeah i did then become the focus; i should maybe have let her run Borders are bloody fast and run with horses, most dogs wouldn't stand a chance but i panicked as well!

 

[Doc Lynam]

don't try physically removing the dog from the sofa

dogs work to commands and treats

a lot of time and patience is required,but if the dog is staying then absolutely necessary

She is great with treats and very obedient when they come out.

 

[Pickledegg]

You're the pack leader, she needs to learn that! A dog that pulls on the lead wants to be the leader! You need to turn the tables and make sure you become the boss!

As others have said, dogs are trained with treats so make sure you have these with you when you are out! I have a terrier and they are great fun but they need to be socialised from an early age, so if it were me I would avoid quiet areas as others have suggested and find places where many other dogs are and let her run amongst them! I also pick up the ball whilst around other dogs to avoid her being overly possessive!

As for growling at you when moving her off the sofa!! Row Z!! You step away at that point, she wins!

Terriers are great fun, full of life and will run all day! Enjoy!!

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

She is great with treats and very obedient when they come out.

that's good

there's hope!

bon courage

 

[1066familyman]

It sounds like your dog has an elevated status, and is unnecessarily protective over her pack.
She might not be cautious, but she might be attempting to be domineering.


Dogs are pack animals, and so they need to be treated as the bottom of the pack.

This sounds like bollox, I know, I was certainly unsure but it's definitely true.

The hound needs to be:-

- Fed last.
- Not eat your food.
- Walk into rooms last.
- Not sit on laps.
- Not sit in elevated positions.
- Not picked up.
- Sits on command before doing anything.

Basically think of how your life is with your girlfriend, then make sure the dog is beneath you!!

If you do all of that already then you're on your own.
However if not, you need a new regime, which the dog will initially hate, but if you stick rigidly too it, that'll soon pass.

Exactly this ^

Dogs are pack animals and if you don't show them who's boss then your life and theirs will potentially be miserable. That doesn't mean being cruel, it means being firm but fair and they'll respect you for it and have a far happier life.

Word of warning on border terriers. They have a habit of going to ground as that's what they were breed for. You can walk them all day and they'll still be up for more, so long runs and walks in the woods off the lead is ideal, but be aware that you may find yourself waiting for hours on end for them to come back if they disappear in the woods and go to ground.

Terriers are fantastic dogs, full of energy and spirit and great fun!

 

[Stat Brother]

I could never get my head around walking into rooms before the dogs.
That was my 'this is bollox' scenario, and I needed more training than they did.

But we got there in the end.
Our lab ended up a therapy dog, going into children/old peoples homes etc.

There was a massive form our vet had to complete about his behaviours in all manner of circumstances.
After the first couple of questions he said 'this is pointless' ticked the lot, signed it and handed it back.

Although I think that was more to do with the dog who was so clever.

 

[mona]

Confidence is important and it's easy for an owner to lose it after a dog has misbehaved. An obedience or agility club can be useful because it might help with training and it's good to talk about problems with other owners. It's a bit like the League Managers' Association in football where all the gaffers discuss training, agents, chairmen etc.

 

[Triggaaar]

It sounds like your dog has an elevated status, and is unnecessarily protective over her pack.
She might not be cautious, but she might be attempting to be domineering.


Dogs are pack animals, and so they need to be treated as the bottom of the pack.

This sounds like bollox, I know, I was certainly unsure but it's definitely true.

The hound needs to be:-

- Fed last.
- Not eat your food.
- Walk into rooms last.
- Not sit on laps.
- Not sit in elevated positions.
- Not picked up.
- Sits on command before doing anything.

That's the route we took.

We got a book called 'The Dog Listener' and followed it like gospel. The main thing was when we'd come home and the dog was pleased to see us, we'd completely ignore her until 5 minutes after she'd calmed down. Then we'd call her over to make a fuss of her, but it would be on our terms, not hers.

Whatever method you choose, you both have to be committed to it and consistent.