My BC is Psycho

[Leeworthy]

I have a 1 1/2 year old Male BC, He is neutered and a great all around dog, except for the fact that he is psycho.

 

If I pick up my remote control he goes BESERK, whining, running around, jumping at it, barking. He also stares incessantly at the ceiling running around, whining, looing back and forth as if something is going to pop out. I don't know what to do. I can't calm him down, and If i grab hold of him to try and stop him it works for a second and hes gone again.

 

Another problem, is he is snapping at me when I go to put him into his bed and close his cage, or when I go to put something over his body, IE body harness he growls and bars teeth and snaps.

 

I love my BC, but something has to be done. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Dave in Ontario

[jdarling]

Dave, where did you get him from? What lines is he out of?

[Leeworthy]

Dave, where did you get him from? What lines is he out of?

 

 

I got him from Portland Ontario, he is out of purebred unregistered parents with a long line of working dogs.

[2 Devils]

He sounds bored. Try doing more mental exercises teaching him tricks and things. These dogs are very smart and need to work the brain. Mental exercise is many times more important than physical exercise.

[ErinKate]

How long have you had him? I agree with the bored part. Maybe some increased daily activity would do him some good. As for the harness, that should be the best part of his day! Maybe as it goes on you could give him the best treat ever. One that he never gets otherwise. That way the harness is something he will look forward to.

[mbc1963]

Yeesh! Vague memories resurfacing...

 

When I first got my dog of 18ish months, he waited about 5 weeks and then decided to bark - NONSTOP - at my ceiling light fixtures. One evening for several hours, and then again the next morning he started up again. I called my trainer, thought maybe he was having seizures. Oy.

 

Finally, I just got a really scary voice and said, "NO!" very loudly and firmly when he started barking. He tried a few weak more times (followed by "NO!") and then stopped completely.

 

I agree that your dog sounds bored. Plus he's a teenager, in dog terms. Even at 5 years old, my dog can get irritating if it's really rainy for a few days and he doesn't get a good run. He DOES love playing "hide and seek," and will do it for hours if I let him. I take a toy, put the dog in a "down" in one room, then hide the toy in the other room. He's completely gaga for this game. Good mental stimulation.

 

It can be really stressful having an overstimulated young dog. Maybe some group classes or a talk with a good behaviorist who's seen this before?

 

Good luck!

 

Mary

[Leeworthy]

I have had him since 8 weeks.

 

What kind of mental exercises?

[beachdogz]

I have had him since 8 weeks.

 

I think we need more information here. You've had him since 8 weeks; he is 1 1/2 yrs. now. Has he ALWAYS been this way? Has this been building up over the year? Or poof! did it just appear one day? Did it appear after something happened?

 

Have you ever taken him to an obedience class? Has he ever been trained?

 

More info, please.

[Sassy Girl]

First, your dog should not be snapping or growling at you, you may need a behaviprist to fix your issues w/him. Do you have a trainer you can work with?

 

As for mental stimulation games....there are lots of things you can do to mentally stimulate your dog. One of the things we do a lot of is adding a mental component on to our frisbee and fetch games. Before each throw the dogs are asked to do one or two of the tricks they know (sit, down, back up, spin, get around, shake, high five, spin, turn etc). Keeping the game unpredictable is the key so your dog has to earn the toss of the frisbee.

 

Some other things we do is hide and seek, I put the dog in a down in one area of the house then go and hide somewhere else in the house and call him to find me. You want to celebrate with the dog when they find you. You can also hide their daily kibble or a toy and have them find it.

 

I take a dog with me for short outings such as a trip to the video store, the convenience store, gas station. While there my dogs get out and work on obedience type drills. This helps desensitize them to different sights, sounds and smells. I also have given them a job such as getting dinner ready, take out the garbage, put laundry in. Their job is to not do the task but to escort me and be attentive if I should need anything. Occasionally they will have something they need to help me with, cleaning up something I dropped, doing a command they know (tricks or obedience).

 

Another thing - get them active in training classes. You can start them in basic obedience and work your way up to some fun sport classes such as agility, flyball, rally, herding etc.

 

I have one dog who has been taught to pick up stray shoes on command and bring them to me. Be creative...I have a friend who taught her 5 month old BC how to pick up dirty laundry off the floor. This is next on my list!

[bsms99]

Have you tried obedience classes?

 

You haven't provided near enough detail, but "...I go to put something over his body, IE body harness he growls and bars teeth and snaps." suggests he doesn't know you are the boss. You could start by the dog equivalent of round penning a horse - work on having him heel, sit, etc so he is accustomed to obeying you. If you can't think of things to teach him, do a search at Amazon.com for dog tricks. The mental stimulation would help him, and he needs to get in the habit of obeying you.

 

Standing over a dog is a dominant behavior. I tend to stand over mine as I'm petting them and adoring them for the morning greetings. They're happy with the greetings and loves, and at the same time it reminds them that I'm the boss. Belly rubs are another opportunity.

 

Border Collies are still dogs. You might try some training books, such as the Monks of New Skete series. It sounds like exercise (!!) & obedience training are in order.

 

BTW - I love the 'pick up dirty laundry' idea! Ours used to open the front door for us, back when we lived in a house with the right type of door knob. She was our Butler. We just needed to remember to lock the door when we were out, or she would open it for strangers.

[Sassy Girl]

Have you tried obedience classes?

 

You haven't provided near enough detail, but "...I go to put something over his body, IE body harness he growls and bars teeth and snaps." suggests he doesn't know you are the boss. You could start by the dog equivalent of round penning a horse - work on having him heel, sit, etc so he is accustomed to obeying you. If you can't think of things to teach him, do a search at Amazon.com for dog tricks. The mental stimulation would help him, and he needs to get in the habit of obeying you.

 

Standing over a dog is a dominant behavior. I tend to stand over mine as I'm petting them and adoring them for the morning greetings. They're happy with the greetings and loves, and at the same time it reminds them that I'm the boss. Belly rubs are another opportunity.

 

Border Collies are still dogs. You might try some training books, such as the Monks of New Skete series. It sounds like exercise (!!) & obedience training are in order.

 

BTW - I love the 'pick up dirty laundry' idea! Ours used to open the front door for us, back when we lived in a house with the right type of door knob. She was our Butler. We just needed to remember to lock the door when we were out, or she would open it for strangers.

 

I agree on the obeying the handler. Sounds like the two of you need to work on your relationship. Your dog needs to learn to work for you not against you. He needs to learn to trust you and you need to learn to work with him too...what type of training do you have on this dog? Any obedience work yet? Also - don't be afraid to reprimand your dog - if he is being whacky - put him in a time out in the bathroom or somewhere quiet for a few minutes. This gets him away from the stimuli and shows him his behavior is not acceptable. When he is calm and quiet he can come back out. You need to put in place some form of reward and punishment system (and I don't mean physical punishment) to help your dog understand what is acceptable and not acceptable.

[afrancis]

I have a 1 1/2 year old Male BC, He is neutered and a great all around dog, except for the fact that he is psycho.

 

If I pick up my remote control he goes BESERK, whining, running around, jumping at it, barking. He also stares incessantly at the ceiling running around, whining, looing back and forth as if something is going to pop out. I don't know what to do. I can't calm him down, and If i grab hold of him to try and stop him it works for a second and hes gone again.

 

Another problem, is he is snapping at me when I go to put him into his bed and close his cage, or when I go to put something over his body, IE body harness he growls and bars teeth and snaps.

 

I love my BC, but something has to be done. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Dave in Ontario

 

Hi Dave!

 

First, read this:

http://www.bcrescue.org/bcwarning.html

and this:

http://www.bordercollierescue.org/breed_ad...eafletmenu.html

 

If he is snapping, growling, whining, behaving obsessively, I think you have a situation that many novice border collie owners have experienced, and unfortunately, often ends up in the dog being relinquished. Not saying that will happen with you, but you need to begin really working on your dog and these behaviours before they escalate and he bites someone.

 

It sounds to me that not only does he need more exercise but also some behaviour modification and training. If you would like more help, I would suggest that you first do some reading and then see if you can either enroll in an obedience class or hire a personal dog trainer to help you one-on-one -- as I see many others have already suggested to you. Changing these behaviours at 1 1/2 years is certainly not impossible, but will require concerted effort from you and all his human family.

 

Browse the Books & Video section for suggestions; also look for this book by Karen Pryor http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Shoot-Dog-Teach...d_bxgy_b_text_c or anything by Ian Dunbar.

 

Anymore information you could give us about your history with your pup in order for us to better help you would be great.

Ailsa

[bc4ever]

If I pick up my remote control he goes BESERK, whining, running around, jumping at it, barking.

 

Scooter is a remote freak too. I think it's the clicking sound it makes when the t.v. first comes on. He'll stare at the remote if he wants the t.v. on, and if he wants it off, he stares at the remote then looks at the t.v. I put him in a down stay before I turn the t.v. on and that really seems to help.

 

Another problem, is he is snapping at me when I go to put him into his bed and close his cage, or when I go to put something over his body, IE body harness he growls and bars teeth and snaps.

 

Has he always resisted the cage? Is it in a place where he can go in and out of it on his own so he doesn't feel like he's being "put away?" As for the body harness, try getting it out a couple times a day without actually putting it on him. When you do put it on him, crouch down and let him sniff and see the harness. Seems less scary than someone towering over them and coming from behind. If he's been doing this for a while, he might also be picking up on your attitude--fearful, hesitant, expecting a problem. I would also suggest a behaviorist as others have. They can be invaluable!

[beachdogz]

He'll stare at the remote if he wants the t.v. on, and if he wants it off, he stares at the remote then looks at the t.v. I put him in a down stay before I turn the t.v. on and that really seems to help.

 

If I had read this sentence BEFORE I got a Border Collie, I would have said that you're the one who's psycho...you think you own a dog that stares at the remote if "he wants the t.v. on, and stares at the remote and looks at the t.v. if he wants it off!"

 

NOW I own a Border Collie, and I understand that perfectly...and I believe - no, I KNOW - it's true!!!

[mbc1963]

If I had read this sentence BEFORE I got a Border Collie, I would have said that you're the one who's psycho...you think you own a dog that stares at the remote if "he wants the t.v. on, and stares at the remote and looks at the t.v. if he wants it off!"

 

NOW I own a Border Collie, and I understand that perfectly...and I believe - no, I KNOW - it's true!!!

 

LOL! Absolutely! I have an antique wooden chest that is my coffee table. I toss Buddy's least-loved toys in there to straighten up my house. He goes MONTHS without seeing those toys, and then suddenly he'll stand in the living room, staring intently at the lid of the chest. If I ask what he wants, he noses the crack where the top hinges up. Then I hold up each toy until he chooses the one he's been wanting to play with.

 

I totally think a BC could learn that the remote turns the TV on and off.

 

Mary

[Leeworthy]

well, let's see here. I had my BC in an obedience class, And I had to take him out.. All the other people could let their dogs off leash while mine would just try and herd them, and couldn't learn anything. My BC only started doing these behaviours a short while ago. I introduced a "laser pointer" into his play, ever since then he has been completely whacked. I honestly think it made him mental. Im not sure why, or what, but now anything that moves, light shinning, shadow moving, flashlight turning on he thinks is this pointer. I had to stop using it after the first time because after I was done using it, he stood in the same spot and starred and whinned for hours wondering where it went.

 

He has never been cage agressive before, he comes and goes into his cage as he pleases, and I NEVER put him on a time out in his cage.. He goes and laysdown in his cage when he is tired all on his own, and when I say time for bed he runs right in and sits there, its only when I go to latch the cage that he snaps/

[Shadows Mom]

There are a number of posts on the site about BCs and laser pointers; its apparently known to cause odd effects.

 

If you find yourself very busy, and need to exercise your dog I have a great suggestion.. if you have stairs. Shadow understands "go upstairs" and "go downstairs" if I'm super busy with school work I'll tell her to go up, then down, then up, then down etc. She'll do this for about a half hour to an hour. Its not good exercise with attention, but sometimes its all I can muster... especially with exams looming.

[in2adventure]

NO LASER POINTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

doG, I wish they would stop selling those things to pet owners It sounds like your pup needs an outlet for mental stimulation and a job. When looking for an obediance trainer, try and find one who's BC savy. Many trainers don't know how to handle or train a herding dog.

 

Have you looked into freestyle or agility? Both offer a great bonding and working relationship with your dog. I would also seek a behavioralist to help you work on some of household issues. They will be able to teach you how to redirect his obsessions and aggressions without making things worse.

 

Good luck. Keep us posted.

[beachdogz]

My BC only started doing these behaviours a short while ago. I introduced a "laser pointer" into his play, ever since then he has been completely whacked.

 

BINGO! ok, now you're getting somewhere. So it's a learned behavior. I wish I could fix this with a suggestion or two, but I think you're going to need to seek out someone who can help you with this that is closer to home. However, knowing where the behavior started is a REAL BIG PLUS.

 

He has never been cage agressive before, he comes and goes into his cage as he pleases, and I NEVER put him on a time out in his cage.. He goes and laysdown in his cage when he is tired all on his own, and when I say time for bed he runs right in and sits there, its only when I go to latch the cage that he snaps/

 

I don't know why this started, but if you explored the beginning of when it started, you may find more clues. However, I probably would first try putting something in the crate at bedtime (like a cookie) as a diversion to closing the door. But note: you want the cookie to be a diversion, so DON'T give it to him directly before or after he snaps or you are rewarding the thought or the action.

 

well, let's see here. I had my BC in an obedience class, And I had to take him out.. All the other people could let their dogs off leash while mine would just try and herd them, and couldn't learn anything.

 

Well, this one sentence really gave me some insight: "....and mine couldn't learn anything." After 30 years with GSDs, I find this breed incredibly fascinating. However, they are just like any other dog in that you can't train every dog the same way, and expect the same results from every dog. Your dog may need more on-leash training. Not because he's dumb (more so because he's smart), and not because he can't learn anything. (And actually, when they were off leash and he was herding them, he WAS learning something...not necessarily what you wanted him to learn, though.) The term "you've got to be smarter than the dog" applies to Border Collie owners TRIPLE. I really think these dogs are incredibly smart and can be very challenging. While the average pet owner would find that frustrating, I find it amazing.

 

So maybe you need to look at your dog with a new perspective. I think more obedience training, or training with a good behaviorist/dog trainer would be what I'd opt for if it were my dog. You didn't have to take him out of class as you said, you just had to keep him on leash.

 

Oh, yes, and my Border Collie chases bugs on the ceilings one day and runs and hides from them the next day. Mine has lost her ball and has now started digging every place that ball EVER was stuck....even months ago - she remembers. Some might think she's psycho, I think she's fascinating, and a touch of weird

 

Remember the old "How many dogs does it take to change a lightbulb?"...Border Collies were the ones who re-wired your house!

 

I am going on to do some research on this laser pointer thing...I would suggest you do the same!

 

Added to Edit: Here are some sites for you to read that I have just found:

 

http://forums.petfinder.com/viewtopic.php?t=120898

 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-Laser-Pointe...?&id=292320

 

http://www.doglinks.co.nz/problems/barry_p...ve_behavior.htm

 

PSS. This is why I love this site. I never knew this about laser pointers. Thank doG you wrote about this and I found out before I ever thought to try one! So, I thank you for that!

[Leeworthy]

I tank everyone for the replies and suggestions. I have not used the pointer in months, I got rid of it after that experience. I am going to look up a behaviourist/trainer for Phoenix and see what they can do for him. I love this dog to death, so no worries about geting rid of him. We live on a farm, and I WISH i could train him to stay out with the horses all day. When he was a puppy I could let him out in the morning, and he would just herd the horses for HOURS on end, and never leave the pasture, once he got a little older, around 8=9 months of age, he started going towards the road. Ever since then he has been tethered outside or on a leash.

 

Do any of you have experience with those dog containment systems? There are some that are wireless, and some that are wired. My mother in law has one for her Jack Russels, and they will not leave the area after a few good shocks, but, I am scared that if the dog were to go outside of the zone he would keep running from the shock, and would be scarred to death after the fact. If I could let him outside to herd all day, that would solve a lot of his mental and physical exhaustion and would probably solve most of his problems right there.

[Leeworthy]

I tank everyone for the replies and suggestions. I have not used the pointer in months, I got rid of it after that experience. I am going to look up a behaviourist/trainer for Phoenix and see what they can do for him. I love this dog to death, so no worries about geting rid of him. We live on a farm, and I WISH i could train him to stay out with the horses all day. When he was a puppy I could let him out in the morning, and he would just herd the horses for HOURS on end, and never leave the pasture, once he got a little older, around 8=9 months of age, he started going towards the road. Ever since then he has been tethered outside or on a leash.

 

Do any of you have experience with those dog containment systems? There are some that are wireless, and some that are wired. My mother in law has one for her Jack Russels, and they will not leave the area after a few good shocks, but, I am scared that if the dog were to go outside of the zone he would keep running from the shock, and would be scarred to death after the fact. If I could let him outside to herd all day, that would solve a lot of his mental and physical exhaustion and would probably solve most of his problems right there.

[Laurae]

Leaving him free to harass your horses all day is not your answer!!!

That is a dangerous activity, potentially fatal to your dog!

You need to do more with your dog, not try to find ways for him to entertain himself!

[in2adventure]

I tank everyone for the replies and suggestions. I have not used the pointer in months, I got rid of it after that experience. I am going to look up a behaviourist/trainer for Phoenix and see what they can do for him. I love this dog to death, so no worries about geting rid of him. We live on a farm, and I WISH i could train him to stay out with the horses all day. When he was a puppy I could let him out in the morning, and he would just herd the horses for HOURS on end, and never leave the pasture, once he got a little older, around 8=9 months of age, he started going towards the road. Ever since then he has been tethered outside or on a leash.

 

Do any of you have experience with those dog containment systems? There are some that are wireless, and some that are wired. My mother in law has one for her Jack Russels, and they will not leave the area after a few good shocks, but, I am scared that if the dog were to go outside of the zone he would keep running from the shock, and would be scarred to death after the fact. If I could let him outside to herd all day, that would solve a lot of his mental and physical exhaustion and would probably solve most of his problems right there.

With the risk of being rude, letting a dog out all day to herd a bunch of horses, unattended, is not only irresponsable, but shows a lack of concern for the horses and the dog alike. Not only can it get your dog killed or seriously hurt, it is no better than someones lab mix running around a field and chasing livestock, because that is exactly what it is....chasing Herding is a controlled job that requires management.

 

It sounds like your problem is a lack of training and supervision on your part and the dog is just trying to find an outlet for himself. As for an E-fence, I would ONLY use one when the dog has supervision (not when you leave all day for work). It may (or may not) keep the dog in, but since you live on a farm, what keeps coyotes, stray dog, etc out of your yard to harm your dog?

 

Rant over.

[urge to herd]

Lee, (I'm assuming that's your first name,)

 

Your dog needs meaningful interaction and activity with you. He was bred to use his brain and his body vigorously, and it sounds like he's not getting much of either right now. The class you took him to earlier didn't have a good instructor, or you'd have been told things like this already.

 

Find a good trainer/behaviorist right away - this is crucial. Take him on leashed walks in the meantime. DO NOT LET HIM HARASS THE HORSES! He'll get hurt or killed, your stock could get hurt as well if they panic. If he were to get off your property and start harassing other peoples' stock, he could get shot. He could also get run over, poisoned, or worse.

 

Confine him safely when you're not there. google crate training + dog and find some non confrontational means to get him into his crate. If you can't get him into a crate, confine him to an x pen, which is a short section of collapsible fencing you can get at PetsMart or somewhere similar.

 

Give him something to do - you have a big problem on your hands already. If you have a fenced in yard, or anything like it away from the horses, toss his breakfast or dinner kibble out there piece by piece, praise him when he finds it and then toss another piece. Make a game of it. Throw a ball for him, or play frisbee. If you search the agility/obedience threads, you'll find more ideas of things to do with him. Adapt them so that you can interact with him - regular consistent trick training, ball fetching, walking etc will calm him down and help him to trust you more, and get you started while you work on finding a good trainer.

 

You've got to give this boy something to do with that brain! What he's got now is the equivalent of taking a very very bright 4 year old kid and expecting him to sit still all day - not good.

 

There are some good books for trick training, I like Idiot's Guide to Fun and Tricks with Your Dog. Good luck with him - it may sound like a lot of work right now, and you'll need to re think some things, but you'll probably get a much calmer and more fun to be with boy as a result.

 

Ruth

[painted_ponies]

We live on a farm, and I WISH i could train him to stay out with the horses all day. When he was a puppy I could let him out in the morning, and he would just herd the horses for HOURS on end, and never leave the pasture, once he got a little older, around 8=9 months of age, he started going towards the road. Ever since then he has been tethered outside or on a leash. . . . If I could let him outside to herd all day, that would solve a lot of his mental and physical exhaustion and would probably solve most of his problems right there.

 

Are you serious? I'm having a little trouble believing anyone with horses would think s/he should leave a dog loose to chase them all day. For the dog's amusement. Sheesh.