need a little help

[red dawg rob]

hi all, i'm new here so any advic greatly appreciated. i have always had austrailian cattle dogs. now i have my oldest nikki, who is 15. chase, 3 year ld male. i also have a female austrailian sheperd. i work with allof them on whatever i have found to be their particular gift like job, agility, frisbee, etc. they are also known to be high energy. i dont know if i am lucky or just keep them busy, but i have had no problems. i have a neighbor that purchased lacy a beautiful bc for her kids for christmas last year. the first time i saw them attempting to walk lacy, i ask if she had owned any herding/working tpe dogs before? i'm sure it is all to familar of a story, but they have contacted me to take lacy. just gving background, hope not boring. i have started taking her on walks twice a day, to introduce myself, and try to see what i am getting into. it's apparent to meshe has never been on a walk over a mile, she has never been socialized to other dogs, or people. she has the entire family stressed. she has nipped one child, i think maybe some form of separation anxiety. she does well with the meeting, but when you prepare to leave she get nips and gets a bit neurotic. she also throws herself into a belly up submissive stance, if allow my voice get the least demanding of a command, she does very well, i speak very childishlike babytalk?? ok, that i think is all the bad. the positive is, apparently she has taken to me much to the surprise of the mother in the family. in the 2 days of walking, i have been able to change a couple of words to re triain some bsic commands. she has been so begged and pleaded with to "come" that seems to be a joke to her. i used massive amounts of treats i hand and use the word "target" and reat her when er nose hits my hand, and even on off the lead attempts she blast back to me. she also is a natural at tennis ball fetch. i'm planning to try to introduce her to my dogs and family this weekend. i'm a little worried on how she will do with the other dogs, and more concerned about her meeting my 3 yr old son. anyone with suggestions on this transiion please jump in. i am very optimistic that as i get her on a schedule of walking and training to relieve some of her nervous energy she will do fine. i have just read so many things about bc's that have already "learned" bad behavior. please advise.

[ShoresDog]

I'm not an experienced owner, so I won't venture opinions, but let me just start off by saying you most certainly came to the right place to get excellent advice. Best wishes from me and Daisy.

[Root Beer]

Your 3 year old son is used to dogs - that's a good thing. Would he understand to sit quietly when he meets Lacy and toss a tennis ball for her? Until you know how Lacy will be with him, I would monitor that situation very carefully.

 

One of mine is very skittish of children, but he actually likes them a lot when they are still and quiet. Not to say that your son would have to be that way forever, but when they meet for the first time.

 

As for the dogs, if there is any way that you can take your dogs to a neutral location to meet her, that would be best. If it's a location where they can be off leash, it would be even better. If you can't go somewhere else, your own yard can work. I have always had very good results introducing newcomers to my pack in my own yard. I put the new dog in the yard off-leash and the let my dog who is best with other dogs out there with the newbie. I watch to see how they do. Once the newcomer is OK with the first dog, I let the next one out. The last one I add into the mix is the one dog I have who doesn't get acquainted with dogs easily.

 

Once everyone has had a chance to check each other out and run together outdoors, I bring the whole pack inside. After a little while inside, I crate the newcomer away from the other dogs for a while to give my dogs, and the newcomer a chance to relax and regroup. Later, I let them all out together again.

 

Personally, I find that when dogs meet off-leash, things go more smoothly than when they meet on leash, unless both dogs have good leash manners and are used to meeting other dogs on leash. If you do have to make the introductions on leash - be sure to keep the leashes loose and if you need to separate the dogs, it is best to turn and walk away (thereby forcing the dog to come with you) than to try to pull the dog toward you while you are facing the dog.

 

Finally, a dog like this may need quite a lot of time and patience. You might start out doing more management than actual training with her for a while. I would give such a dog time to change (especially after the stress of changing homes) and keep in mind that it's a process and there probably won't be any quick fixes.

 

That's my three cents!! I wish you the best with Lacy and the situation!

[red dawg rob]

Thanks Kristine, lacy looks very much like speedy, by the way. i had planned on trying to let the dogs meet at a local fenced dog run, if i could time it to not be crowded, but i think it may have to be the fenced backyard. i let lacy briefly meet jack tonight, he is all boy, but because of y oldedt dogs condition. heunderstands to be very gently. lacy tends to go to a stalk the herd position on meetig any stranger thus far, resemables like the i want to play. front paws strecthed out, but with her hind down in more of a cat stalking pose. jack layed down and eased up to her and i could she remained calm and let him pet her,, thought all was well, when jack started to ease away she kinda nipped at him and lundged at him barking very solidly. so we will have to work on that. i think if i can take my time and keep her distracted when she is used to taking over she will be ok. she is definitely helping me shed the winter weight. tanks for the great tips.