ShaggyRS6 Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 I have a very good friend that needs some advice about a Rescue Collie cross that has not been neutered. I will pst the text below If anyone can offer some advice that would be great. Went to the Havant to see some friends. Walked the dog on the beach. All fine. Went to a little pub. All fine. Then in came this huge English pointer. Dylan started growling under the table. I have no idea whether they made eye contact as I had my back to the pointer. As Dylan was getting agitated Simon took him outside. He totally calmed down so Simon let him off the lead to run around and let off steam. The little b*****r spied the pub door opening and set off at a ridiculous rate hurdling a wall as he went, slipped through the door and back into the pub. I didn't notice until Clara said "that dog looks like Dylan". Then I had one of those moments. Eyes tell me it looks awfully like Dylan while rational mind says it can't be, he is outside on the lead with Simon. In that split second when I twigged that it actually was Dylan he had gone for the other dog and they were fighting. Have no idea how long it was that they fought for, seemed like eternity, was probably a minute until they got separated. Unfortunately the lady owner of the pointer got bitten, I presume by Dylan but I didn't see. I have no idea whether it was malicious or whether she just got in the way. I presume she just got in the way as I don't think he would do it otherwise. Her and her husband were really nice about it as I guess we did the right thing taking him out but Simon should not have let him off the lead. They also accepted that sometimes dog do fight and that if you try and separate them you will probably get bitten. Am off back down to Havant with mammoth bunch of flowers as apology tonight. We now we have an issue. I bought a muzzle but he itches at it, getting his already sore eyes in the process. I don't really want to always have him on the lead as he needs to run off steam. He also has met probably 50 dogs and growled at 2 and had a bit of a spat (nothing serious) with one on a beach in Devon. But if I let him off the lead then how do I know which ones he will go for? I wonder if it is either un-neutered dogs he goes for or black ones as all the growls happen to have been at black dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 I am like that with some people Lee PM NTTF mate and get some sound advice LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 You never know what trauma rescue dogs have been through and that is the risk you take with them. Bramble started Obedience Classes almost 2 years ago which have now turned into a Canine Youth Club. Among the regular crowd are quite a few rescue dogs. They come for the dog socialising, as well as the training/games element. We have seen snarling dogs become very docile after a few weeks in what is a non threatening environment. I would suggest your friend finds a local class and does the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted January 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Thanks Cranny. Wise advice i think. Chas, see you in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Got the parts in stock mate LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltashshooter Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 hi mate my collie cross was a rescue and had the same problem , we have figured its mainly down to the dogs expeirnces ( beaten , fights ) and how the dog has been ''socialised'' it will probably get worse then better for a while , my dog was calm and obedient then shes see's a collie and she was a beast she would not listen and went like after the other dog at full pace and wonce i had stopped it she usaully had dog hair in her mouth the way to stop it in my experience would be socialise on a long lead and train him to stop on a whistle and reassure her around bigger dogs make sure you use treats aswell as these usaully distracts them until u can get past the other dog . hope this helps and speak to Nttf as from all his topics/posts u can see he knows what hes on about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Lee I have been thinking on this one a couple of days now. I may have come up with an idea for your friend....note Cranfield has given excellent advice on getting into some kind of obediance class .........I need to know if you are allowed to work a dog in a cage muzzel over there? NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 I cant answer that one NTTF, hopefully someone can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Cage muzzles are sold in the UK, the plastic ones look more aesthetic than the metal ones. Its fair to comment that we tend to see muzzles as a "last resort" in the UK and they are not so prevalent as they are in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Yes but is there anything preventing someone working a dog in a muzzle? or using one in a training situation? NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Yes but is there anything preventing someone working a dog in a muzzle? or using one in a training situation? NTTF Nothing at all. My comments were meant to indicate that muzzles here are associated with "dangerous dogs" and nobody (except sad Chavs), want to give the impression their dog is dangerous. Most muzzles worn are the unobtrusive single leather strap type, which supports my comment. Most owners would be reluctant to use a cage muzzle for the impression it gave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Thanks Cranfield. I am not thinking of the muzzle as a long time solution but as a training aid to help overcome this problem. Lee I will try to get somethig up for you today or tommorrow. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 on a side note collies can be pretty sharp as a breed so it doesn't necessarily mean the dog has been badly treated. More socialisation would be my advice with dogs you know are ok and in the meantime keep strict control when out in public just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyoftheboy Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 guys... am interested in this thread, so if anything gets pm'd please pop a copy to me? I also have a 10 yr old rescue spaniel collie cross who is really soppy at home, but when out & about generally avoids other dogs.... but if they come close she gets a bit grumbly. when comes into contact with bouncy, smaller dogs has shown a slight tendency for agression if they won't leave her alone. then the other night she just went for a small spaniel for no reason at all. very embarrassing, spaniel ok. interested to read any responses to original post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 THanks for the replies so far people. I have asked Kate to keep an eye on this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Lee I keep coming back to this thread as I want to put up what I would like to see happen asfar a training goes, but every time I start I keep coming up with different lines of thought. We really need more information. I have re-read the post yet again and realize that they have a muzzle for the dog. Is it a cage muzzle or a strap? Can they get the dog out walking on the muzzle and keep track of what dogs it growls at and does not growl at....male, female, black, colored, netured what ever.....we really need more of a pattern. This requires they get out in areas that have other dogs and keep a few notes. It would also be good to know if they immediately went on the prowl seeing the other dog or it was a build up as they got closer to each other. Any info would be a help. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted January 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Will call Kate tomorrow and ask her to supply the info. Cheers NTTF, your a star as always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted February 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 An update from Kate: "Thanks to everyone for the posts and apologies for the delay in getting back to you. After much deliberation we decided that we could continue to let Dylan off the lead at the common/park etc and keep a very close eye on him. He wouldn't tolerate a muzzle unfortunately so I was quite nervous and spent a lot of time working on his recall and training at the same time. I was hoping that I would be able to answer your questions about whether there was a pattern to his behaviour. We have met in excess of 40 dogs over the last couple of weeks and they have been of all shapes, sizes, breeds, colours and sexes and have not had a problem at all. Not a single growl! I noticed that he never greets other dogs with a wagging tail but his tail is always up not down between his legs. He almost looks slightly cautious. Anyway he will then have a good sniff & meet & greet before wandering off. As I haven't had any major aggressive behaviour since then I was trying to think back to other times. The two spats previously were with dogs on leads who were black. One was a black collie/spaniel cross and the other was a black and white setter type. I am not sure about the sexes. He was also growly with a black lab in a pub in Devon when they were both on leads but he did settle. He is territorial at home and does bark and growl at the front door but always with a wagging tail and if dogs walk past our drive way he gets quite growly but he is very home focused so I take this as just him protecting his turf. He isn't protective of toys or food. In the last week, to test the big dog and lead theory, I took him to a local pub to meet one of my friend's huge brown labs. They were both on leads but he was absolutely fine. No growling, just a meet & greet and then he settled. So I don't really have any ideas except that maybe (hopefully) it was a one off and that I need to continue socialising him to make sure that he isn't aggressive and to also see if I can spot any patterns. If anyone has any tips then I would be very grateful. Is there specific training I can carry out as a precaution apart from working on his general commands and recall? Thanks again for all your posts Kate" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northern35s Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 I have a very good friend that needs some advice about a Rescue Collie cross that has not been neutered Unless your friends are considering breeding from the dog, then the crown jewels have to go, it can cause a dog to become frustrated and aggressive. He is territorial at home and does bark and growl at the front door but always with a wagging tail and if dogs walk past our drive way he gets quite growly but he is very home focused so I take this as just him protecting his turf. The dog owner should be the only one who is territorial not allow the dog, under any circumstances, to be territorial or protective, the dog will begin to understand that this is his role in the family pack and may begin to challenge for dominance. The dog must be last in the pecking order, always. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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