Bc Problem

[beezneez]

So I've got a Border Collie Puppy. I've had her since she was 8 weeks old and she has been enrolled in training since i got her. We started her training at RSPCA and she was going really well for the first few weeks. When it came to play time. The lady put her in a cage with a smaller breed puppy which was overly excited and she started to show some agression. She started to growl at this dog and show her teeth and her fur stuck up. Since then she started to do it more often with other dogs. We pulled her out of RSPCA training as it was too overwhelming for her. And we have changed her to a local dog club training. (Carine) Since we put her into this trainig she has done really well with learning how to greet other dogs and not just straight out growl and show teeth.

She started to progress really well. I take her to the park or beach or for a walk nearly every day. Always on lead obviously. I try and keep her around other dogs and let her say hi to other dogs (after talking to the owners of other dogs). Lately she will be completely fine and happy with some dogs. And other dogs who happy and friendly she will just snap and growl and try n nip them. She is a very nervous dog, when meeting all new dogs and people. But she loves all other people.

She lives at home with a American Staffy (5 yo) who she adores and loves so much and she has had no problems with him at all.

I'm not too sure where to go from here.

How can i help her become more confident?

How can i help her be less stressed around other dogs?

I want her to think that dogs are a good thing!!!

Thanks

[Vickie]

Why do you want her to play with other dogs?

None of the Border Collie I have had have wanted or needed to play with strange dogs. Some breeds they find just plain offensive, but most they are just not interested in. They will play sometimes with polite dogs they know, but even then they are usually other herding breeds.

[luvsdogs]

How old is she now? & where did you get her from?

[Salukifan]

She started to progress really well. I take her to the park or beach or for a walk nearly every day. Always on lead obviously. I try and keep her around other dogs and let her say hi to other dogs (after talking to the owners of other dogs). Lately she will be completely fine and happy with some dogs. And other dogs who happy and friendly she will just snap and growl and try n nip them. She is a very nervous dog, when meeting all new dogs and people. But she loves all other people.

The lady put her in a cage with a smaller breed puppy which was overly excited and she started to show some agression.

So your pup was put in a confined space with an over the top pup and couldn't get away. Other than aggression, what options did she have to get the unwanted behaviour to stop?? The trainer didn't do right by your pup IMO.

What do you describe as a "friendly" dog. One who rushes up to yours with its tail madly wagging and who wants to be sniff yours all over? Are they bigger than your girl?

You might find the article "He just wants to say hi" at this link useful.

Some dogs lack social confidence. Some dogs have quite large personal spaces and Border Collies often seem to be like that. They simply aren't that interested in being friends with every dog they meet. I would suggest you listen to what your pup is trying to tell you and give her space from other dogs. No amount of socialisation will convince some dogs to be friendly with strangers. On the other hand, it can train them to react more and more strongly to get their message across about keeping other dogs away.

Edited February 3, 2012 by Telida Whippets

[Kavik]

I agree with Vickie

It sounds like she is not comfortable with dogs that are pushy getting in her face to play, some dogs (a lot of the BCs and Kelpies I have met) do not want to interact with these types of dogs. I would respect that and listen to what your dog is telling you about her comfort with other dogs.

ETA: from personal experience, if you try to push her into situations where she is not comfotable she may become aggressive with other dogs. They don't have to play with every dog they see. The important thing is to recognise which dogs are likely to make your dog uncomfortable. Some breeds are more likely to be upfront and pushy in their approach and play style.

Edited February 3, 2012 by Kavik

[dancinbcs]

Why do you want her to play with other dogs?

None of the Border Collie I have had have wanted or needed to play with strange dogs. Some breeds they find just plain offensive, but most they are just not interested in. They will play sometimes with polite dogs they know, but even then they are usually other herding breeds.

Totally agree with this. Borders often don't like other breeds and do not tolerate any dog staring at them. Other breeds don't understand that to a Border, staring is is a threat. They are very particular about who they play with and some do not like to interact with strange dogs at all, preferring their owners to other dogs. I find a lot of the bitches tend to hate strange dogs getting in their face. This is a breed bred to be VERY attached to it's owner so ignoring other dogs is pretty normal when they are with their owner and they don't take kindly to other dogs butting into their personal space.

Stop forcing this dog to interact with others and instead concentrate on getting her to be with you and ignore the other dogs. Border Collies are often worked several at a time on sheep and they would be pretty useless if they wanted to play together instead of working.

[Pretty Miss Emma]

My Border totally dislikes some breeds of dogs yet loves others, she decides that bit! But one thing she really hates regardless of the breed is dogs that rush up to her face and she reacts by growling and snapping - in my mind rightfully so as the other dogs are just being rude, doesn't meant hat is a good behaviour but I try to manage situations so that other dogs can't do this to her which often means me blocking them as they rush up. I find that Kenz likes to have her space, with other borders that space is usually a lot closer than with other breeds. But Kenzie will play with other dogs and does like them just usually not on lead and she likes to play in open space whre she can create space if she needs to. So maybe your puppy is just asking for space?

Also, like dancinbcs mentioned, get her focusing on you and not worrying about the other dogs. I know that Kenz reacts through anxiety about the other dogs (what will they do, will the come near, will they bark, oh well I'll get in first and make them go away so I don't have to deal with it), so I do a lot of work with her just trying to reinforce calm around other dogs and positive experiences for just looking at them and being near them. Just last night she went beserk at a dog who I know but she hasn't met, so we spent about 10 minutes getting Kenz to look at the dog and inch closer eventually she and the other dog were about 1.5m from each other both sitting calmly - it's taken me a long time to get to a point where we can do this but once she realised the dog was no threat and we just slowly got closer and there was no real interaction required she was able to just sit there and cope with being near the other dog. But it's taken us a while!!! Oh and it's taken me a long time to work on my own body language, and keeping that in check so that Kenzie doesn't react due to me being stressed!!!

I guess the thing I've learnt about borders (particularly the girls) is that they are so sensitive and pick up on things you haven't even noticed so much earlier than you'd even imagine!!! So she may be seeing things (or even think she's seeing things) and you have no idea what it might be. If you're having trouble with this problem get someone to help you (trainer/behaviourist) as it will just make hers and your lives so much happier when you go out of the house when you can manage it!

[Bear&Duke]

I don't understand why they would put your poor pup in a cage with a dog she doesn't know?

I didn't have a very good experience with the RSPCA puppy school either and I would not recommend them to anyone

[mumof4girls]

My next door neighbour went to RSPCA puppy class and that's what they do, put 2 dogs in crates together.. I must say I would say no thanks, like someone else said poor mite can't even get away if she felt intimidated. My boy is wary of other dogs and puppy school for us is a little nerve wrecking lol next week is all dogs in together so I will be monitoring the situation as we have a huge pup 14 weeks who attends and he can be quite rough ....

Might be a good idea to find another school?

Edit to say sorry I haven't really answered your questions I'm a newbie at this puppy stuff :-)

Edited February 3, 2012 by mumof4girls

[beezneez]

Why do you want her to play with other dogs?

None of the Border Collie I have had have wanted or needed to play with strange dogs. Some breeds they find just plain offensive, but most they are just not interested in. They will play sometimes with polite dogs they know, but even then they are usually other herding breeds.

I just want to be able to go down to the beach or park and let her have a run around and not have to worry about her growling and snapping at other dogs. I dont want her to love every other dog. Because i know they aren't going to.

How old is she now? & where did you get her from?

She is 6 Months old and from a private breeder

She started to progress really well. I take her to the park or beach or for a walk nearly every day. Always on lead obviously. I try and keep her around other dogs and let her say hi to other dogs (after talking to the owners of other dogs). Lately she will be completely fine and happy with some dogs. And other dogs who happy and friendly she will just snap and growl and try n nip them. She is a very nervous dog, when meeting all new dogs and people. But she loves all other people.

The lady put her in a cage with a smaller breed puppy which was overly excited and she started to show some agression.

So your pup was put in a confined space with an over the top pup and couldn't get away. Other than aggression, what options did she have to get the unwanted behaviour to stop?? The trainer didn't do right by your pup IMO.

What do you describe as a "friendly" dog. One who rushes up to yours with its tail madly wagging and who wants to be sniff yours all over? Are they bigger than your girl?

You might find the article "He just wants to say hi" at this link useful.

Some dogs lack social confidence. Some dogs have quite large personal spaces and Border Collies often seem to be like that. They simply aren't that interested in being friends with every dog they meet. I would suggest you listen to what your pup is trying to tell you and give her space from other dogs. No amount of socialisation will convince some dogs to be friendly with strangers. On the other hand, it can train them to react more and more strongly to get their message across about keeping other dogs away.

Yes she was put in a confined space when she was already a very nervous dog, and i wouldnt recommend rspca ever. I just want to be able to take her to the park and her have a fun time and not be stressed and nipping other dogs.

Why do you want her to play with other dogs?

None of the Border Collie I have had have wanted or needed to play with strange dogs. Some breeds they find just plain offensive, but most they are just not interested in. They will play sometimes with polite dogs they know, but even then they are usually other herding breeds.

Totally agree with this. Borders often don't like other breeds and do not tolerate any dog staring at them. Other breeds don't understand that to a Border, staring is is a threat. They are very particular about who they play with and some do not like to interact with strange dogs at all, preferring their owners to other dogs. I find a lot of the bitches tend to hate strange dogs getting in their face. This is a breed bred to be VERY attached to it's owner so ignoring other dogs is pretty normal when they are with their owner and they don't take kindly to other dogs butting into their personal space.

Stop forcing this dog to interact with others and instead concentrate on getting her to be with you and ignore the other dogs. Border Collies are often worked several at a time on sheep and they would be pretty useless if they wanted to play together instead of working.

I am not forcing my dog to play with other dogs, we usually mind our own business on walks and stuff, but she still growls at dogs if they come past us.

I don't understand why they would put your poor pup in a cage with a dog she doesn't know?

I didn't have a very good experience with the RSPCA puppy school either and I would not recommend them to anyone

She gets along with all BC, she has never had a problem with any BC. She usually loves them and just wants to play with them all the time!! bigger breeds she usually submits to instantly and lays down. and some smaller breeds she isnt too keen on as she tries to dominate them.

[Cavstar]

I took my puppy to the RSPCA puppy preschool & Loral was brilliant My pup was really really nervy at first & I was stressed after the first week that she didn't play with the other dogs but she assured me that by the end of the 4 weeks she would be happy as any other dog there.. and she was Was it overwhelming for you more or the dog? ;)

When we did the training (and we only did our last class last week) it wasn't a 'cage' but a large sectioned off area with both dogs, the dog owners & the trainer in there The first sign of any discomfort or agression from either dog then time was up for them.

My puppy isn't really interested in other dogs but the trainer explained to me that dogs can be like people.. some like to have lots of doggy friends, some are happy to keep to themselves. Like mine. Which is fine by me :) I'm like that too :)

[Weasels]

My kelpie girl doesn't really like any dogs (including our other dog) but she isn't aggressive so I taught her that if she isn't comfortable to come to me. At the first sign of any stiffening, raised tail etc. on her part I call her in so she doesn't escalate to growling. All she really wants is to hang around with the humans anyway, so this way everyone is happy.

[beezneez]

I took my puppy to the RSPCA puppy preschool & Loral was brilliant My pup was really really nervy at first & I was stressed after the first week that she didn't play with the other dogs but she assured me that by the end of the 4 weeks she would be happy as any other dog there.. and she was Was it overwhelming for you more or the dog? ;)

When we did the training (and we only did our last class last week) it wasn't a 'cage' but a large sectioned off area with both dogs, the dog owners & the trainer in there The first sign of any discomfort or agression from either dog then time was up for them.

My puppy isn't really interested in other dogs but the trainer explained to me that dogs can be like people.. some like to have lots of doggy friends, some are happy to keep to themselves. Like mine. Which is fine by me :) I'm like that too :)

I wasn't overwhelmed or stressed at all about it? There were much worse dogs there when i was there, she wasn't too bad back then. It just made her much more nervous and stand offish to other dogs. I kept going til the end but i was then told that she had no hope in being friends with any dogs. So i never went back. I then went to Carine Dog Club at Carine Open Space and they put in a lot more effort. They really tried a lot to help Layla. And i can honestly say it has helped her. First week there she couldnt be around any other dogs without growling at tthem. I can now safely say i can go down there and she will want to say hi n ploay with some dogs. Some dogs she very obviously doesnt like and doesnt want to be around.

My kelpie girl doesn't really like any dogs (including our other dog) but she isn't aggressive so I taught her that if she isn't comfortable to come to me. At the first sign of any stiffening, raised tail etc. on her part I call her in so she doesn't escalate to growling. All she really wants is to hang around with the humans anyway, so this way everyone is happy.

I'd be more than happy with that. I dont want to force her to be around dogs and play with them if she doesnt want to. I understand that dogs are very similar in that they ike some dogs and not others. I just want to be able to go to a park and if she doesnt want to be around other dogs or away from another for her to come back to me. Or focus on something else. Her recall isn't very good, so i rarely take her off lead. She gets distracted easily and is very cheeky, she will look at me and play games trying to get away. Which drives me mental!!!!

[Vickie]

Hi beezneez,

Firstly, I just want to apologize in case my first post was too abrupt. Sometimes I just type what's in my head And although it's what I think, I could say it a bit nicer. Sorry

How old is you pup now? The good news is that it's never too late to get these issues sorted out. Some ideas:

1. First priority should be her recall. It's usually best to start this in an area free of distractions eg, start in your lounge room, then progress to your backyard, then to your front yard, then to a park where there are no other dogs/people, then to an area where there are dogs & people etc.I would put her on a long line everywhere but your house & backyard so she is safe & cannot make the decision to ignore you.Pick a new word for your recall and make sure Everytime you say that word she comes & is rewarded for coming.I usually start pups by saying their word and then running away from them, as soon as they start to come towards me, I say yes and reward them. I also make sure they come every time! And use the long line to make sure they are unable to ignore me. What you want is an automatic response where they don't think, they just turn & come.

2. Google NILIF. Border collies need jobs and for most of them, tricks & training games are a good substitute for work.Don't give her food in a bowl, use it to teach tricks & reward from your hand. Sit, stay & Down are useful but there are heaps more tricks that you can teach a puppy that are lots of fun.

3. Border Collies are often obsessive by nature. Some will disagree, but I want to choose what my dogs obsess over, so I play ball with them. I would rather them shoving a tennis ball in my lap than chase birds/cars/flies etc.

4. Try & go walking with other suitable dogs. Rather than have her in face to face situations on lead where she is likely to react. Pick non reactive dogs & have her walk beside them. She is less likely to worry about them if you are going somewhere rather than standing around.

5. Be prepared that she may never want to play with strange dogs, but aim that she will be able to play with you, around strange dogs.

6. Be careful of correcting her too much around other dogs. In her head, she may start to think, Everytime I see a dog, something bad happens therefore other dogs are bad.

Hope this all makes sense & helps

Having a plan now, while she is young, will be worth it for many years to come.

Edited February 3, 2012 by Vickie

[Salukifan]

OP:

I'd be more than happy with that. I dont want to force her to be around dogs and play with them if she doesnt want to. I understand that dogs are very similar in that they ike some dogs and not others. I just want to be able to go to a park and if she doesnt want to be around other dogs or away from another for her to come back to me.

Beezneez, I would caution you that if you want to work on your dog's behaviour around other dogs, you'll find it difficult to achieve this outcome in an offlead dog park because other dog owners are unlikely to control their dogs. Your girl may be confronted by strange dogs whose behaviour she won't enjoy and this may escalate the responses you don't want.

Stick with the dog club, make some friends with dogs your girl likes and let her socialise with them. As you've got a BC, have a good think about doing obedience or agility. Both build your dog's relationship with you and both will give your dog a job which she needs.

Edited February 3, 2012 by Telida Whippets

[Tassie]

4. Try & go walking with other suitable dogs. Rather than have her in face to face situations on lead where she is likely to react. Pick non reactive dogs & have her walk beside them. She is less likely to worry about them if you are going somewhere rather than standing around.

5. Be prepared that she may never want to play with strange dogs, but aim that she will be able to play with you, around strange dogs.

So well said Vickie. Some super advice here - OP - she will be fine even if she never becomes a dog-park dog - as long as she loves doing stuff (and particularly 'work' type stuff) with you - BC heaven :)

[beezneez]

Hi beezneez,

Firstly, I just want to apologize in case my first post was too abrupt. Sometimes I just type what's in my head And although it's what I think, I could say it a bit nicer. Sorry

How old is you pup now? The good news is that it's never too late to get these issues sorted out. Some ideas:

1. First priority should be her recall. It's usually best to start this in an area free of distractions eg, start in your lounge room, then progress to your backyard, then to your front yard, then to a park where there are no other dogs/people, then to an area where there are dogs & people etc.I would put her on a long line everywhere but your house & backyard so she is safe & cannot make the decision to ignore you.Pick a new word for your recall and make sure Everytime you say that word she comes & is rewarded for coming.I usually start pups by saying their word and then running away from them, as soon as they start to come towards me, I say yes and reward them. I also make sure they come every time! And use the long line to make sure they are unable to ignore me. What you want is an automatic response where they don't think, they just turn & come.

2. Google NILIF. Border collies need jobs and for most of them, tricks & training games are a good substitute for work.Don't give her food in a bowl, use it to teach tricks & reward from your hand. Sit, stay & Down are useful but there are heaps more tricks that you can teach a puppy that are lots of fun.

3. Border Collies are often obsessive by nature. Some will disagree, but I want to choose what my dogs obsess over, so I play ball with them. I would rather them shoving a tennis ball in my lap than chase birds/cars/flies etc.

4. Try & go walking with other suitable dogs. Rather than have her in face to face situations on lead where she is likely to react. Pick non reactive dogs & have her walk beside them. She is less likely to worry about them if you are going somewhere rather than standing around.

5. Be prepared that she may never want to play with strange dogs, but aim that she will be able to play with you, around strange dogs.

6. Be careful of correcting her too much around other dogs. In her head, she may start to think, Everytime I see a dog, something bad happens therefore other dogs are bad.

Hope this all makes sense & helps

Having a plan now, while she is young, will be worth it for many years to come.

Hey Vickie, this has been super duper help. You are spot on with a lot of things. I think starting off fresh with the recall is a great idea. i didnt think of it. because i thought that what she knows is just her. and she is just being cheeky. But i think that would be a good idea. What kinds of words are best for recall. ATM i use come. I have quite a big front yard and a park which is enclosed (not a dog park) that i have been using to train her. she was doing really well at the beginning with her fetch and coming back. But lately she's been deciding that it is more fun to run off with the ball instead.

2. i had a read of NILIF and that is rather interesting. Which would also help with her recall and order in the pack. ATM she knows many tricks (sit, stay, down, shake, high 5, turn around, sit pretty, fetch) etc. But sometimes she decides not to listen when told. She also doesnt wait when i open doors or go in the car or out of the car. she just rushes in and out. Which leads me to think that im not much of a pack leader. not enough anyway.

3.Chasing cars, that is a very bad habit of hers. Which i am slowly starting to get under control. i was trying to use her tricks everytime i car came past with treats to distract her. But i live on a main road. which means it would take me half an hour to walk 50m. Not practical. I Was having huge problems, until a friend recommended the gentle choker collar. not like a choker. only a part of the collar is. and by positioning the collar under her neck and at the top behind her ears very gently it is very sensitive for them, and by having the collar there she doesn't pull. and everytime she tried to chase a car i do that. And it has really helped with the problem. I can now walk down the street with more ease. (although she still does try and chase them every now and again)

4. She gets along well with my other dog (staffy x) and we used to walk them together. But he is my brothers dog and he isnt well trained. he pulls really bad and stops all the time and sometimes gets angry and doesnt listen and she started to copy him. So i stopped walking them together. My friends don't really have dogs (who are friendly) that i can go walking with unfourtunately. I did go down the beach with my friends dog a couple times. whom layla adores. and this was a huge distraction and she was actually able to walk down the beach at hillarys with 50+ dogs running around without even noticing them!!

5. I dont mind if she doesn't play with other dogs, i just want her to focus on me and if strange dogs are around she can come to me and play with me rather than growl and try to bite them everytime.

6.Yeah i see where you are coming from. I probably cause most of the problems to esculate rather than help. I need to train myself just as much as her.

I want to be able to do agility and obedience training with her when she is a bit older. To be able to do this i need her to have a huge amount of attention on me and not want to run off and be at other dogs throats rather enjoy her time and focus on the commands im giving.

Thank you so much for all this help, it has really really helped me!!!

OP:

I'd be more than happy with that. I dont want to force her to be around dogs and play with them if she doesnt want to. I understand that dogs are very similar in that they ike some dogs and not others. I just want to be able to go to a park and if she doesnt want to be around other dogs or away from another for her to come back to me.

Beezneez, I would caution you that if you want to work on your dog's behaviour around other dogs, you'll find it difficult to achieve this outcome in an offlead dog park because other dog owners are unlikely to control their dogs. Your girl may be confronted by strange dogs whose behaviour she won't enjoy and this may escalate the responses you don't want.

Stick with the dog club, make some friends with dogs your girl likes and let her socialise with them. As you've got a BC, have a good think about doing obedience or agility. Both build your dog's relationship with you and both will give your dog a job which she needs.

Read above :)

[BC Crazy]

I have similar aggression issues with my 13 month old BCGirl. From about 6 months of age she has been showing pretty fierce signs of aggression towards all other dogs that we come across. The only dog she gets on with is my other BC boy, whom she adores. He is a calm dog, she is very edgey / nervey by nature.

I have spent alot of time on her recall which she is 95 % reliable & as she is very driven, we retrieve ball, her favourite thing to do. This has helped lots. When another dog approaches, she is watching me more so things don't seem to escalate nearly as much as they could have.

A dog approaches us she just charges at them, growling, teeth bared, ears flat to her head & hackels up. She has about a 10 feet radious that they must stay out of, any closer & she loses it. Most dogs she treats this way, no matter size or gender. Worst reaction is with Boxers. They have a very upright stance & I feel she is threatened by that. But who knows.

She is the most loving girl with us, I adore her. She is extremely bright & alert. I feel she has a tonne of potentiel. I also just want her to enjoy her life without feeling anxious or threatened quite so much.

Must admit she shocked me at first with this behaviour but I have just tried to get her to focus on me & we have a appointment with Steve at K9 Pro in March, can't wait ! I would recommend to get some help if possible. Good luck & keep us posted. Hope I have been of some help.

Edited February 5, 2012 by BC Crazy

[Vickie]

Hey Vickie, this has been super duper help. You are spot on with a lot of things. I think starting off fresh with the recall is a great idea. i didnt think of it. because i thought that what she knows is just her. and she is just being cheeky. But i think that would be a good idea. What kinds of words are best for recall. ATM i use come.

You can use any word you want. Because I have 5 dogs here, I tend to say "here" followed by their name.I also have a recall whistle which they all respond to & is handy when I want them all to come at once or when we are somewhere noisy.

I have quite a big front yard and a park which is enclosed (not a dog park) that i have been using to train her. she was doing really well at the beginning with her fetch and coming back. But lately she's been deciding that it is more fun to run off with the ball instead.

A couple of thoughts.

BC's like things to happen FAST! :) throw the ball & as soon as she picks it up, run the other way. This should inspire her to run after you, hopefully with the ball still in her mouth. As soon as she catches up, stop, as soon as she drops the ball, say Yes, and pick it up as fast as you can and throw it again. What you are trying to show her is that the quicker she brings it back, the quicker you will throw it.

- If she doesnt come all the way to you, thats ok, you may need to work up to that. So long as she is moving towards you with the ball, I would still pick it up & throw it for her. Each time, expect her to bring it a little closer.

- If she runs off with it, too bad for her. She's the one who should want the game, not you. Just walk away, go inside & try again next time. She will soon get the message.

- If she will not drop the ball, have another ball in your hand. As soon as she chases after you with the first ball, say yes and throw the 2nd. You can fade the 2nd ball out when she starts to understand the game.

Once she really understands the game, you can ask her to do things to earn the ball, like sit, drop etc.

Thank you so much for all this help, it has really really helped me!!!

:) you're very welcome. Let us know how you go.

Edited February 5, 2012 by Vickie

[beezneez]

I have similar aggression issues with my 13 month old BCGirl. From about 6 months of age she has been showing pretty fierce signs of aggression towards all other dogs that we come across. The only dog she gets on with is my other BC boy, whom she adores. He is a calm dog, she is very edgey / nervey by nature.

I have spent alot of time on her recall which she is 95 % reliable & as she is very driven, we retrieve ball, her favourite thing to do. This has helped lots. When another dog approaches, she is watching me more so things don't seem to escalate nearly as much as they could have.

A dog approaches us she just charges at them, growling, teeth bared, ears flat to her head & hackels up. She has about a 10 feet radious that they must stay out of, any closer & she loses it. Most dogs she treats this way, no matter size or gender. Worst reaction is with Boxers. They have a very upright stance & I feel she is threatened by that. But who knows.

She is the most loving girl with us, I adore her. She is extremely bright & alert. I feel she has a tonne of potentiel. I also just want her to enjoy her life without feeling anxious or threatened quite so much.

Must admit she shocked me at first with this behaviour but I have just tried to get her to focus on me & we have a appointment with Steve at K9 Pro in March, can't wait ! I would recommend to get some help if possible. Good luck & keep us posted. Hope I have been of some help.

It's good to see that i am not the only one who is having problems with their border collie. Layla's recall isn't good at all. especially if there are lots of distractions. I am going to try and retrain her recall using a different method. Would you suggest the clicker for training? or a training whistle?

Hey Vickie, this has been super duper help. You are spot on with a lot of things. I think starting off fresh with the recall is a great idea. i didnt think of it. because i thought that what she knows is just her. and she is just being cheeky. But i think that would be a good idea. What kinds of words are best for recall. ATM i use come.

You can use any word you want. Because I have 5 dogs here, I tend to say "here" followed by their name.I also have a recall whistle which they all respond to & is handy when I want them all to come at once or when we are somewhere noisy.

I have quite a big front yard and a park which is enclosed (not a dog park) that i have been using to train her. she was doing really well at the beginning with her fetch and coming back. But lately she's been deciding that it is more fun to run off with the ball instead.

A couple of thoughts.

BC's like things to happen FAST! :) throw the ball & as soon as she picks it up, run the other way. This should inspire her to run after you, hopefully with the ball still in her mouth. As soon as she catches up, stop, as soon as she drops the ball, say Yes, and pick it up as fast as you can and throw it again. What you are trying to show her is that the quicker she brings it back, the quicker you will throw it.

- If she doesnt come all the way to you, thats ok, you may need to work up to that. So long as she is moving towards you with the ball, I would still pick it up & throw it for her. Each time, expect her to bring it a little closer.

- If she runs off with it, too bad for her. She's the one who should want the game, not you. Just walk away, go inside & try again next time. She will soon get the message.

- If she will not drop the ball, have another ball in your hand. As soon as she chases after you with the first ball, say yes and throw the 2nd. You can fade the 2nd ball out when she starts to understand the game.

Once she really understands the game, you can ask her to do things to earn the ball, like sit, drop etc.

Thank you so much for all this help, it has really really helped me!!!

:) you're very welcome. Let us know how you go.

She loves playing fetch and she will play it for a while with me, but sometimes she will run towards me with it, straight past me and run off. That's part of her recall problems. Did you train your dogs with a clicker? or just with the whistle? ia mn starting to think of retraining her recall with either a clicker or whistle. But am not sure how successful they are or if people recommend them.

She is ball crazy, unless there are distractions then she gets all nervous and edgy. Especially if their are other dogs around or at a park.

thanks so much!!