Help needed with my 8 month old Border Collie

[Diane Hindmarsh]

We have a beautiful 8 month old Border Collie called Jasper. He was neutured at 6 months.

We have been to obedience classes with him and during the day he is the most well behaved dog you could ask for. We walk him 3 times a day, half and hour morning, sometimes hour - hour and half afternoon and another walk about 6.00 for half an hour. He loves his walks, does not run away or bother any other dogs/people. When it is time to go he will sit down and let us put his collar on no problem. All he is interested in is running in the woods or chasing his ball.

The problem we have is in the house on a morning and an evening. Especially when he is in his basket and you try to stroke him he will show his teeth (we call it smiling!) and growl at us. Sometimes he will put his leg up as if in submission but will still growl and show his teeth. One evening my husband continued to stroke him and he actually bit his finger.

I am at the end of my tether with this, I have 2 children aged 8 and 12 and Jasper is really good with them but I am scared that he is going to turn on them. We tell them not to touch the dog when he is in his basket.

All we wanted was a family dog to love. We appreciated that Collies need lots of stimulation but we are an active family and thought this would be o.k. My husband has had collies before and has never had any problems like this.

We have never mistreated the dog, he has the run of the garden when we are not around and we have boarded out the garage for him to stay in during the day - he even has a radio!. He is not left on his own for long periods and sometimes goes to work with my husband in the van which he seems to love.

He will also run to his bowl and growl if he has left unfinished food - thinking we are going to take it away I suppose.

Anyway I just wondered if there is anything that you can suggest to help us out to try and get him out of this.

Thanks
Diane

[Sarah]

Hi Diane Your dog is showing aggression and dominance. He is aggressive over his food, and dominance when he is in his basket. When you see a dog raise his leg, it's dominance. When he growls in his basket and shows teeth, that's not smiling, although dogs can smile, he's warning you, he doesn't want to be bothered. This dog has shown signs of aggression and dominance since you brought him home, but you didn't recognize the signs which made him escalate to this point.

This is not about not walking him enough, or him not getting enough exercise. This is about you and your husband not being the right Alpha's [boss] for this dog. You are not stern enough with him. Obedience is good, I'm sure he learned that quickly, and is very good about it, however, it doesn't stop there.

I can show you how to stop the aggression and dominance but it would be difficult because I cannot observe you and what you are doing right and or wrong, which can make your dog worse. What I suggest is that you seek out a good trainer, [not obedience] who can come to your home and actually demonstrate to you what you need to do to get this dog to a "following" position rather than a "leading" position. This should only take a few hours in your home. The dog isn't that bad to where he would have to go to doggie boot camp. However, if you do nothing, then it will come to that.

I would like to ask if the dog acts the same way with YOU as he does with your husband? Can you touch him in his basket, can you feed him without problems?

[Diane Hindmarsh]

Thanks Sarah

He is the same with both of us, although probably worse with me. I have never had a dog before and didn't realise it could be so complicated!
As I say he is fine during the day it is just on a morning and evening.
I am the one who feeds him. I put in down and make him wait and then tell him to 'take it' He does not growl or show his teeth at this point but if I leave the room and then come back in and he has left his food he will always run back to the bowl as though he thinks I am going to take it off him.
I will take your advice and get someone in who can show us what to do. Is it something that you think we will be able to overcome?
I must admit that as a young puppy I never noticed any signs of aggression.
Thanks for your comments

Diane

[Sarah]

Absolutely, there is nothing that cannot be fixed. The dog will be much happier as well as you and your husband will be happy as well.

[hjbrown]

Hi Diane,
Our Border Collie is also 8 months old and she too is exhibiting this "smiling" as we too call it. It is usually when she wants to do something that I don't want her to do and when I tell her no, she will sometimes smile and then nip at me. I usually tell her no, or I use the command, That Will Do and stand up if sitting and make her do what I want anyway. I'm wondering if I'm too Alpha and she doesn't like to be told what to do when I do! My question is how long will this go on,and should I continue to say No and continue to be the Boss!