border collie training
i have a problem with my dog when ever he sees a jogger,people coming towards him or anybody on a bike he starts to run at them and bark sometimes running in circles around them he doesnt pose a threat but some people understandably do not like this can anyone give any suggestions towards getting him out of this habbit baring in mind he is a border collie.
Border Collie or not....You need to watch for certain signals your dog is giving you when you are out on a walk. He feels restrained from being able to approach. Frustration ensues, and after a number of times he begins to feel frustrated seeing other dogs while on a leash at a distace. This is called "conditioned frustration" or "leash reactivity". This can happen with any breed, and it is common in today's style of living. Also, this does not mean that your dog is necessarily dog-aggressive or less tolerant of other dogs or people, especially if your dog is fine playing with his select, properly-introduced friends off-leash.
The way to curb and/or prevent this behavior is to establishing good leadership with your dog. This also helps your dog feel that someone is in charge and gives him a better sense of security around other dogs and people.
As for the "leash reactivity", timing is the key. Don't even let your dog stare at the other dog or person at all. This eliminates the frustration before it can even begin. If you wait until he's already frustrated, lunging and pulling forward, he may not even hear you say "LEAVE IT" at that point. Again, timing is the key....so keep an eye on your dog's body language and cut off any escalation of frustration with a "CALM< ASSERTIVE" command and redirect to something else. Continuing to walk with your dog and having him look at you while passing the other dog or person is also very successful at keeping your dog from even locking into a stare-down.
You can also try a distraction technique to reinforce a different behavior. This means that you teach your dog to focus on something else. This can be a "sit" and "watch me" or you can also have your dog perform a "down-stay" and look at you at the same time.
These distraction techniques will prevent frustration from building up while on-leash. Also...a good leash manners class can help you learn these very simple techniques. then you can take these techniques outside the class and use them in life in many different situations.
Hi Trotsky/Maryann
As I have previously posted, we also have a similar problem with our two year old collie, Molly. We have tried the techniques Maryann stated above but we were really struggling so we have just enrolled Molly in obedience classes. It only costs us £5 a session and lasts for hour but already we are noticing a difference. We found that we were holding her lead wrong so when we were trying to correct her with a sharp tug it wasn't working as well as it should, we were also using a halti which was definitely working against us! However, the one thing we can't stop Molly doing is the staring but we have found that as long as we do the correction, keep talking to her and just keep walking past at a brisk pace she is really starting to get the message! We eventually hope we will be able to stop the staring as I don't like her stalking but I have been told this is very typical of border collies so for the moment we are focusing on getting everything else right!
thanks mary ann for the info i will try the advise you have given and see how we do,
hi tracey we have tried similar things but jax is a very stubburn pooch but we are getting there when we go for walks he will go about a 50 yard gap stop turn around and waite for you but as soon as he spies someone close its woof woof annoyance time
Border Collies are herders by instinct, and this could also be what your dog is doing. He sees to many not with him/her and this is not the way it's suppose to be in the dogs mind. Obedient training is excellent tool for all dogs, for all problems. What I suggest you do, is when you come to these types of situations put your dog in a sit stay, with his back to the people passing by. This is telling him that he needs to respect the people passing by and not bothering them with his behaviour.
All dogs need a job to do. If you teach a dog (even little ones) to bring you something, or turn on a switch, or track, herd, etc.... they will be a happy dog - as all dogs treated well want to please their owners.
sarah we are in the process of doing this exact thing but he can make it difficult he will sit and stay but still continues to bark and getting him to sit with his back to them is totally different can you make a suestion about this would you like tobe friends
Hi trotsky, I found a video on how to teach your dog to be calm around skateboards. Here is the link to it: YouTube - Train your dog to be calm around Skateboards: Clicker Training Puppies Even though this video teaches you how to teach your dog to be calm around skateboards, you can use this same method to teach him to be calm around people on bikes too.
As for Jax's problem with joggers, you can get your family member or your friend to start jogging at a far distance away from you and Jax. This distance should be far enough so that Jax will not react and give him some tasty treats for not reacting to the jogger. Gradually, have distance reduced between the jogger and you. Keep rewarding Jax with treats and praise him for his calm behaviour. At any point Jax reacts, go back a step to where he is successful. The best method is to set him up for success and try to avoid Jax from reacting by taking baby steps. You can also use this same method for Jax's problem with people coming towards him.
Hopefully, these methods help you and Jax.
Posting Permissions
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote