Not Quiet The Introduction I Was Hoping For...

[Colton's_Mom]

Hi,

I'll give you a quick little introduction and then dive into the story. I'm a female, I am in the 9th grade, and will be moving sometime near Christmas break when we (family) will get a lot of land, a fence, and hopefully I will get a border collie. I've been reading up on the breed for several months and have volunteered to walk/play with the Border Collies at a local shelter to help me get the best idea possible of the breed. My parents have also agreed to let me foster a Border Collie before I get my own puppy to determine if the breed is a match for me, my own dog, and the family's pets.

 

I understand this story is non-border collie related but I couldn't find anywhere else to post it and I *need* help. To start it off I have a one-and-a-half year old Rottweiler mix (3/4 Rott, 1/4 GSD) who came from a very dumpy pound. I got him at six months so I don't know his whole history but he never displayed any aggression towards dogs, people, or cats for that matter. He has a very high 'chase' instinct and when chasing he nips at the other dog's hocks/or people's heels (I guess this is herding instincts maybe?).

 

Well as soon as I noticed this behavior I discouraged it and praised him when he would sit/lay/stand quietly with me when people were running. I'm a member of the band. I went to band camp for two weeks during the end of the summer during this time I was not home to watch my dog my mother was supposed to. Turns out she let my younger brother/his friend Shawn (ages 10 & 11) watch Colton. Bad idea. They rough housed with him, teased him, and encouraged him to chase them by laughing/screaming and getting him really excited. They also taught him how to chase wheeled objects such as a desk chair, Heelys, skateboards, skooters and more.

 

I was notified of this after it had been going on for 3 weeks when the problem was already way out of hand. I have actively been working with him on stopping this and he no longer chases skooters and will run nicely beside one. He also developed a problem with Shawn - he started growling at him. Which I have also been working on, letting Shawn pet him and giving Colton treats/praise if he's good. Since Competitions have started up I'm gone on Saturdays which happens to be the days that Shawn comes over. They (brother/Shawn) thought it was funny to make Colton growl at them that's how the growling got started.

 

Apparently Thursday night (I was at band practice) Colton was trying to play with Shawn and my Dad even had to get involved to stop it. I came home and Colton was laying in my lap. Shawn walked past me/Colton and Colton lunged out at him growling and bit his heel. He broke the skin. I absolutely could not believe it. I have never thought my dog would ever do something like that it is just not allowed in my rule book of how to raise a dog. I suppose him just breaking the skin is better than him taking off a huge chunk of his heel. He was just trying to play because if he wanted Shawn's heel he could have it. Until I can fix this problem it's now law that Colton must be crated when Shawn is over and boy Shawn is over *a lot*. I need help.

 

Thanks

[Rebecca, Irena Farm]

You've got to teach Colton to do something incompatible with lunging and chasing, when he gets that impulse. Start with something easy, something he really isn't that interested in chasing, and teach him to sit or down. Because he's already broken skin on a bite, you will have to be stern with him, unfortunately. Your corrections for failure to mind must be very direct, quick, and unmistakeable. For someone inexperienced with this I'd show you how to use a choke chain - the rattle of the chain gives him a unique sounding alert that he's stepped over the line.

 

But you also have to remember every time he fails, to back up and make it easier again. Don't try to "make" him listen with corrections - it won't work and it will just annoy him and teach him to ignore you.

 

Here's just one article I found online to teach your dog to stop chasing stuff. Google "stop dog chasing cars" and you'll find many articles. Focus on articles that teach an approach which uses a gradual exposure and teaching your dog how to handle each increased level of difficulty. Always remember that if your dog fails, it's because you are expecting too much and need to make it easier before you proceed.

 

http://www.perfectpaws.com/chase.html

[Ms.DaisyDuke]

The article that Rebecca posted is a good one. I am also pretty sure that this topic has come up on several occasions, so you could also try searching it.

By the sounds of things those two boys have been allowed to tease Colton too much and perhaps this is why he's taken to growling as Shawn. I think your parents really need to step in here and help you out BIG TIME! One of those boys will get bit worse than what's already happened. You do have to work with Colton on these issues, but the boys need to learn how to be responsible and not little buggers around the dog too! It's a two way street.

Good luck...and welcome!

[urge to herd]

First let me say I think you're showing an enormous level of responsibility for the situation that many adults wouldn't even dream of. Congratulations and well done!

 

Secondly, doing the research Rebecca suggests and using these gradual exposure methods of teaching Colton have a really good chance of working.

 

THIRDLY - and this is perhaps the MOST important thing, IMO: Shawn can never, ever ever tease/wrestle with/agitate Colton in any way. The adults in your home need to step up to the plate and make sure Shawn understands this and that it is enforced. That also means that Shawn isn't allowed to approach Colton in his crate. If Shawn keeps getting Colton revved up, no matter what kind of training you do, odds are great that Colton will bite someone. And, Shawn may need some structured activity himself. He may be teasing Colton because he's bored and needs to burn off some energy in a more productive way.

 

I know that adults, especially parents, don't always listen to their kids. Would your parents agree to have an experienced trainer, (and not one who thinks that a choke chain or shock collar is the answer) come observe all of you - including Shawn - and abide by that professional's input? That would be your best bet.

 

Good luck to all of you, let us know how it turns out.

 

Ruth n the BC3

[juliepoudrier]

I heartily agree with this ^^ (Daisy Duke's post). Your parents should not be allowing the boys to tease your dog or any other dog in the household. They are abrogating their responsibility on this, and that's putting both the boys and the dog in danger. Unfortunately, if they don't stop it, Colton (or some other dog they choose to tease) will end up doing damage, and it will be the dog who pays the ultimate price.

 

If you are uncomfortable asking/telling your parents to step in and prevent the teasing/roughhousing from happening, perhaps you can direct them to this thread and let them read what other experiened dog-owning adults are saying about the situation.

 

J.

[Colton's_Mom]

Thanks Rebecca,

I will start with his off training right now (well after I finish posting this). It will definantly come in handy because he does have a tendancy to want to chase dogs at the dog park unless I catch him focusing in and redirect his attention quick enough. My brother is not good with dogs at all he's not ment to own one period (the funny part, well not funny but you need a sense of humor, is he wants to own an american pitbull terrier). I have brought this up before and my Mom has told my brother/Shawn to completely ignore Colton not to pet him, call his name, or even acknowledge him unless I ask one of them to do so. I will definantly talk with my Dad and have him update both of the boys and make it very clear that they can not rough house with him. I'm on fall break so I can get a head start on training him I have a football game tonight so I can't talk to my Dad tonight but I will definantly tell him when he picks me up and on the car ride home. When Shawn got bit, lucky enough, they did not blame it on Colton but on the boys and even told it to their faces it was their fault but Colton does need corrected and I will start. (He's a large breed so I can't run the risk of this ever happening again, Rebecca - I will definantly be stern with him). The really sad part is he has such a docile personality if I look at him in a way that says 'hey that's enough' he'll go and slink off in the corner. The worst part of all is this all could have been prevented.

 

thanks for the advice,

RB

[Tranquilis]

THIRDLY - and this is perhaps the MOST important thing, IMO: Shawn can never, ever ever tease/wrestle with/agitate Colton in any way. The adults in your home need to step up to the plate and make sure Shawn understands this and that it is enforced. That also means that Shawn isn't allowed to approach Colton in his crate.

Exactly.

 

*I* don't even wrestle with my 35# Border-mutt. She's a good dog, and has great bite inhibition, but accidents happen, and she's fast. Far, far better I never put her in a place where she can fail - Or at least do my level best to never put her in such a place. A large dog like a Rottie and a kid? That's begging for trouble (as I personally know!)

 

It's taken a bit, but my son has learned to not hassle the dog, and he's *really* learned that "The Dog In The Crate Is Invisible." That's a key - I keep Suka's crate open when she's not confined, and when the house gets to be too much for her, she retreats to safety - And once she enters that crate, she becomes officially invisible, even if the crate door is wide open. That gives her the space and time to settle and decompress, whithout a rambunctious four-year old in her face.

 

Your parents need to do likewise - Colton needs a refuge from Shawn and your brother, and they need to respect that.

 

Also, let me pile on to the praise you've already gotten from others - you've got your head bolted on more straight than any number of 'official' adults I could name. Well done, and keep it up!

[ragtimedog]

Nothing new to add but wanted to say I am totally impressed with your sense about this dog and your future one!