Attacking other dogs advice needed

Hello all,

i have a problem with Barney my 7 month border collie he has just started to go of lead now that his leg has the ok first 2 days fine my husband takes him with my 2yr old collie third day he attacks a lab as he wanted his ball which i was most upset about my husband said he would not stop he had to pull him of and he kept trying to go back. the lab was doing nothing wrong at all.
So back too roadwalking for two days and work on his obediance he went early yesterday and was fine but my husband said no dogs about.Today he goes first dog he sees attacks for no reason my husband drags him of brings him home and says thats the last time i take him!(he was an old dog it was awful)
I do not know what to do he hates other dogs never fights with the 2 he lives with is so loving but he is murder to walk even on a lead if he sees another dog.
I socialsed him early he went training but have had to stop as he was so horrible to other dogs i do not know what to do what sort of life does he have if he is unable to free run?? please give me some ideas also i have had him castrated with the vets advice that it may calm him down!

you need to get some help! ie a behaviourist or a experinced COLLIE class that can help you work through your problems.

You need to look at your recations & his when he sees a dog when out & try to understand what he is reacting to.


You should not have stopped taking him training, a dog with Socialising issues needs to work through these problems,

From your dogs point of view the lab was doing something wrong,it was trying to get his ball.

What is the background of this dog? breeding etc? any history of Epilepsy in his lines at all?

Hi MishFlynn,
it was the Labs ball not barney`s.
I stopped the training 2 weeks ago as i thought perhaps if he had a 2 week break he would be better he spends the whole time barking and going at the other dogs! He is due to go again this tuesday! I though at first it was fear but i am sure its not all his hair stands up on the back of his neck

Do your trainers at class not help / advise you on the issue? Maybe another class would be better - what area are you?

I would give him some rescue remedy before a walk to perhaps take the edge off his anxiety.

He certainly needs to be kept on a lead until you have him under control as the next dog he attacks may decide to take things further - I have to say I would if I knew the dog had done it before

Obedience training could be the key here - work him plenty, train him well and it will have multiple benefits, he will be mentally tired and less aggressive/ frustrated and he will be a better trained dog and you should be able to control him properly.

A good trainer should be able to help you to channel him appropriately. What is his background?

Hi Muddiwarx,
i have one of those special calming collars on him at the moment the vet said it may be worth a try.It has not worked!
I agree i may need to look for another class as he can do it all i think he gets bored then decides to kick off.
I live in Bournemouth and its so hard to find a collie trainer here who does obediance he is incredibly bright he knows all his commands except he goes deaf if another dog about.
His backgound is working line i wanted to do agility and obediance with him which is looking doubtful now! i had him at 8 weeks i am home all day with my dogs as i work from home,we have a large garden and they are taken out two to three times a day!
As i am here typing this he is rolling on the floor licking the boys to death he loves them so much its such a shame he is awful to other dogs!

your trainers really should be helping you with this,its silly that they havent & dangerous! Have a look on Obedience uk, there is a list of clubs on there,hopefully should be someone in your area.

For the time being (& i hate to advise over the net without having seen the dog) id walk him in a head collar, so you can turn his head away from the other dogs.

Id also go & sit with him in a park & let him watch the world go by, so he can see other dogs whilst hes chilled out.

Also id be working hard on getting him into you,with the help of a special bally (or similar).

Is he castrated? what are you feeding him?

HI Mish Flyn,

i walk him on a halti and when he sees another a dog i do turn him away or distract him with a fir cone.(which does work)
Now when he has a ball and he is off lead he does not bother with the other dogs only once when another dog tried to take his ball.But he has a luxating Patella so ball work is not really allowed till it gets better.
I have had him castrated in the hope it would help.
He has Science plan and a little tripe.
thank you

hello all,

a friend has suggested putting a muzzle on Barney so he can be let of lead, i am a little worried about this, what do you guys think??
Barnzie

awe so sorry your having these problems, hope you get them sorted out x

I would walk him on a long line until you can get him sorted out as it is not fair on the dogs being attacked. My dog was attacked and is much worse with other dogs now so it has a knock on effect sometimes.