Aggression in Border Collie

When we took our Border Collies to the beach earlier in the week, they made a beeline for a man walking his dog and started to "herd" him. Before we could get to them, one of the Collies proceeded to lunge at him and bite him, resulting in a bite to the back of his leg and ripped shorts. The other Collie then decided to join in. Luckily the man was not badly hurt and was very sympathetic to the situation. This is the first time something like this has happened and we want to ensure it is the last. We would be grateful for any advice, to help us conquor this situation

Hi Stewart,
How old are your BC'S?How much socialisation have they had with humans? Do they take part in any agility, flyball, obedience activities or anything that stimulates a collies mental needs? How much excercise do they get?

How are they in general when you let them off the lead; how good is their recall? For example could you not have called them back to you before they bit someone? It should never get to the stage of them biting someone i'm not being unsympathetic i'm stating the law.

Dogs without recall should not be free to roam; I know of dogs who have bitten only once and have been put to sleep horrible to hear I know, but fact of life.

Our BCs are 8 months old and are litter mates. Unfortunately we've not been able to find a puppy class in the area, but have taken them out and about in towns and villages. They're still too young to participate in agility and flyball and we've been advised by the breeder, not to give them too much exercise at this age.

They were both very good with basic commands at 2 months old. Although slightly hesitant, they are reasonably good on recall. We try to exercise them in safe places. Unfortunately on this occasion, one of them took a dislike to the individual.

You were very lucky that the man didn't report the incident. At 8 months they're probably having a moment of madness like their early puppy days so it would be safer to have them onlead - especially if they are slightly hesitant about recall.

Unfortunately dogs can take a dislike to people and you need to be sure that despite this they do as they're told in the situation.

Hi Stewart,
as they are so young I would just go back to very basic obedience with them both. Can you train them one at a time? It does sound like they are going through their teenage years (you do have my sympathies). Could you work on their recall individually? Prevention is ALWAYS better than cure.

Collies are very intelligent even though they are to young for agility basic training, tricks etc anthing that stimulates their clever young minds could make all the difference.

Whilst they are in their adolescence phase it may be best to keep them on a long training lead so you have full control. As unfortunatley not everyone is as understanding as the gentleman you have already encountered. There are many DVD's and books nowadays which may give ideas (try Amazon). If not maybe a trip to your local training class?

A dogs mental and physical stimulation is for life not just while they are pups. Good luck they sound delightful (I have a soft spot for collies).

We appreciate your comments, but are really looking for some advice and guidance.

When we contacted the breeder to discuss what had happened, she advised us to use the BC training aid - a riding crop. We're trying to get advice on kinder training methods!

A RIDING CROP: What sort of breeder is she? Firstly in my humble opinion she should have never sold you littermates: that just about sums up the sort of imbicile she is.

DO NOT USE A RIDING CROP. if you cannot take the time to train them using positive methods; take them to a class or contact a behaviourist; google the association of pet dog behaviourists. Please hand them over to a rehoming centre. I cannot believe as a doglover you would even contemplate using a riding crop no wander they have attacked someone

We're in the process of re-visiting their basic training, as they both enjoy the interaction. We've also decided to train and exercise them individually, to eliminate them copying one another. We're not sure how long their teenage years last for ( ) We try to keep their minds stimulated - one method we've found is by placing their food in food balls

PLEASE READ OUR MESSAGE CORRECTLY - we stated that was the advice she gave us. We HAVE NOT and WOULD NOT use a riding crop - why do you think we came on here for advice? This is not the reason they attacked someone!!

So glad to her that In that case either work on their recall, get them to a class or contcat the accosiation of dog behaviourists (which I do not think is necessary) I just think you need to work on their recall on a one to one basis. Please do not let them off the lead until recall is reliable as so many cases such as this end up with unhappy outcomes.

Good luck with the basic training