rescue dog/continued behaviors

[daze]

hello

this is my first time writing. i have two female spayed rescue border collies, both purebred, one a blue merle (bigger than average) and one a red merle (smaller than average). the first has come around beautifully and is a near perfect dog, 2-1/2 years old. she was only around her dog family and one owner until she was 6 months, crated because of knee surgery from 4-6 months, so no socialization; she would've been euthanized because of her knee and not being able to work or be bred. as we live in a rural area and have a large yard (electric fence) and huge woods/creek/lake in back of us, they run alot on their own and with me; my own and neighbor's kids play lots of catch with them too -- they have learned to not herd them. (the bigger one does try to herd the cats though.)the smaller one, amber (1-1/2 years old), is proving to be a bit more of a problem (they were not adopted together, but they both were adopted at around 6 months). i think she might have come from a puppy mill but really ahve no idea. (she has one eye that is mixed (blue and amber -- she is a red merle) and maybe couldn't be bred?? in any event, while she has also come along way (extremely traumatized upon arrival, afraid of everything and everyone, peeing all the time, hard to housetrain) she now gets along great with the kids, other pets and her "sister".) she still has a few problems though: 1. she still likes to sleep under the bed and "hide" under things -- should i try to stop this (and if so, how?) and 2. while she accepts some dogs in the neighborhood as friends (usually when they meet without leashes or their owners, people are fairly casual about their dogs here...) she is extremely aggressive to dogs she meets when they or her are on the leash, regardless if she is in our yard or elsewhere. (she is great on the leash, although i only use it when we take walks on the road rather than the woods.) and finally 3. she is also still skittish (rather than aloof) around people, despite my socialization opportunities (she has gotten much better though). she will play with people who want to throw the ball without any hesitation but it is important to me she accepts, even if reluctantly, others petting her.

so, any ideas you might have about what i can do are most appreciated.

i am also looking for a book or advice on constructing our own agility equipment (not for show, just fun).

thats it for now, thanks for listening and putting up with the long post in any event. monika

[Maralynn]

Welcome! And a big thanks for going the rescue route!

 

My 7 y/o BC was a rehome that I got a age 3. She was a hide in the corner, extremely unsure dog when I got her. She still likes to go to her crate (safe spot) when she is unsure about things. As long as is it not excessive, I wouldn't worry about it. My dog has continued to improve slightly as she has gotten older. I encourage her to be "brave" and not make a big deal of it when she finds something a little scary.

 

What does your dog do when others try to pet her? And why is it important that she accept petting from others?

 

Petting is something that my dog would not have been comfortable with, even after I had her for a year. She looked to me for security, and she did not feel secure with others petting her. Will your dog take treats from others? If so, for now just have people give her a treat and skip the petting. When she is comfortable with that then you can move on to petting. Remember, you can say "no" to others petting your dog! I would also try to find "dog savy" people to work with. You also want to be sure that you are always touching your dog when someone else is.

 

BTW, my dog recently passed her therapy dog test. It's been a long process with her, but the slow and steady process has been worth it.

[daze]

Originally posted by daze:

hello

this is my first time writing. i have two female spayed rescue border collies, both purebred, one a blue merle (bigger than average) and one a red merle (smaller than average). the first has come around beautifully and is a near perfect dog, 2-1/2 years old. she was only around her dog family and one owner until she was 6 months, crated because of knee surgery from 4-6 months, so no socialization; she would've been euthanized because of her knee and not being able to work or be bred. as we live in a rural area and have a large yard (electric fence) and huge woods/creek/lake in back of us, they run alot on their own and with me; my own and neighbor's kids play lots of catch with them too -- they have learned to not herd them. (the bigger one does try to herd the cats though.)the smaller one, amber (1-1/2 years old), is proving to be a bit more of a problem (they were not adopted together, but they both were adopted at around 6 months). i think she might have come from a puppy mill but really ahve no idea. (she has one eye that is mixed (blue and amber -- she is a red merle) and maybe couldn't be bred?? in any event, while she has also come along way (extremely traumatized upon arrival, afraid of everything and everyone, peeing all the time, hard to housetrain) she now gets along great with the kids, other pets and her "sister".) she still has a few problems though: 1. she still likes to sleep under the bed and "hide" under things -- should i try to stop this (and if so, how?) and 2. while she accepts some dogs in the neighborhood as friends (usually when they meet without leashes or their owners, people are fairly casual about their dogs here...) she is extremely aggressive to dogs she meets when they or her are on the leash, regardless if she is in our yard or elsewhere. (she is great on the leash, although i only use it when we take walks on the road rather than the woods.) and finally 3. she is also still skittish (rather than aloof) around people, despite my socialization opportunities (she has gotten much better though). she will play with people who want to throw the ball without any hesitation but it is important to me she accepts, even if reluctantly, others petting her.

so, any ideas you might have about what i can do are most appreciated.

i am also looking for a book or advice on constructing our own agility equipment (not for show, just fun).

thats it for now, thanks for listening and putting up with the long post in any event. monika

[daze]

thanks so much for your supportive response. the under bed sleeping isn't a big deal (just uncomfortable for her!) but as we live in a very tiny little hamlet, where everyone knows one another and there are lots of kids and dogs, i would like amber to at least not be menacing -- i knew border collies were aloof and that is part of why i took them on (my older daughter had been knocked down by too friendly dogs too many times and i wanted dogs that kept their distance, at least initially, on kids and who didn't jump all over people).

i also would just like her to be more secure -- dogly inner peace or something like that!

i am going to work on one on one work this summer and also find some "dog friendly" people as you say. there is a dog aggression specialist nearby ($150) -- am thinking about checking in with her.

on another note--amber also does this weird thing where she extends her neck and points her nose almost directly at the ceiling when you pet her (less so with me). i assume its a stress response, but just thought i'd ask.

again, thanks for sharing your experience -- i am looking forward to being a member.

all best

daze

[Maralynn]

How is Amber being menacing? If she is growling at people, she is probably waaay out of her comfort zone. With shy/fearful dogs, you can't force them into accepting a situation, they need to be able to approach a situation on their own terms, with a way of escape.

 

For now when you are out and about with Amber what about putting her in a down stay, and then stepping in front of her and greeting people. Tell them you are working on training her, and she would rather not be petted. But here is a treat you can give her, or a ball you can throw for her. Then let her make the choice to take the treat or chase the ball, and praise her when she does.

 

Our society expects most dogs to have the characteristics of a mellow lab, loves everyone and likes petting. But there are many dogs who would just rather not be petted by strangers. Especially since the most common way people pet dogs is briskly walking up to them, bending over them and petting them on the top of their head all signs of dominance, and very unnerving to a insecure dog.

 

I didn't start asking my dog to go out of her comfort zone until I knew she completely trusted me, and I could "read" her. I can tell by her body language what she is comfortable with. If I can see a situation is getting to be to much for her, I remove her from it. She trusts me and obeys me and knows that I will protect her.

 

I would suggset reading the book "How to Speak Dog" by Stanley Corhen. The specialist is probably also a good idea. Where did you find out about them?

[Beth G]

I was reading where you thought she might be puppy mill bred coz her eyes were two different colours. But that is a trait in BC's. Just wanted to let you know.

[hoku's mum]

Welcome, and another thanks for taking in rescue dogs. I agree with Maralynn about how most people pet dogs, bending over them, it can really scare an insecure dog. Fine some friends to work with and have them squat or sit, and let Amber choose to come to them. They can offer a treat, and if she chooses to approach them, then they can extend a hand and maybe give a small chest scratch. Just go slow with her.

 

As far a Agility equipment, there is a great book called 'Do-it-yourself agility equipment' by Jim Hutchins. He gives a couple of ways to build most things with sizing and materials. Very clear and fun book.

 

Good luck! Kristin and Hoku