Hi, I have just joined today and would appreciate any advice from you guys.

I have the most beautiful 7 month old border collie bitch puppy. Sorry to offend any other collie owners but she really is the best!!!! Apart from one thing! 2 weeks before xmas I needed to take her to the vets as she had a swollen sore eye; just as we opened the door to the waiting room a GSD dog came rushing out of a consulting room barking and extremely eager to get out - this terrified my pup - this then set off the 2 miniature schnauzers and the springer already in the waiting room! Rosie has never been the same since. She now barks aggressively at anyone or anything (including dustbins etc) while we are walking.

She was prior to this a very well socialised dog.

I continued to take her to puppy training classes but had to stop as she was just so disruptive and other dog owners were complaining!!

I joined a much smaller training class of only 4 dogs. Rosie was much happier here (it was a much less formal setting too) but as the class changed over and the new dogs arrived she just went mad. The trainer is lovely and has told me to just use praise etc etc. But if anything her behaviour is getting worse.

As soon as a person comes close to her she just wants to lick them to death!! Most dogs too BUT I am unable to take Rosie with me when I do the school run and ALL of the children (and parents) are terrified of us as she makes soooo much noise.

I am considering using a spray collar?????

She has just come into season - I will not be keeping her entire - she will be spayed mid-season so this all may help.

Any advice much welcome.

What was your reaction to the incident at the vets?

What did you do with the 2nd best collie in the world (mine's first ?

What do you do now when she starts barking at something?

Does she bark in the hosue at all?

Thanks for your reply.

Well, at the vets I was so taken aback that my initial reaction was to snap her collar back (she has a half choke training collar on her lead) and say no. but this continued and continued throughout the 35 min wait in the waiting room. Every time she quietened down another dog would start barking so I would snap her collar back and say no. She would bark then look at me knowing she shouldn't but unable to resist!! I know I said no too many times and she turned off etc.

When we are walking I do the same thing. I have also tried taking a toy to distract her with - but it doesn't work. I have tried treats - but she spits them out to bark.

She barks at home during play - ie, to tell me to kick her ball, throw her toy etc etc. She barks when someone comes to the door. Both situations very controllable and not nuisance at all. She barks when my children argue!!! She barks when I shout at the children!! Painting a really lovely picture aren't I!!

She really is lovely and so typically collie like and eager to please mum.

HELPPP!

I have just read a thread when someone recommended using a head collar for an aggressive unsocialised dog?? I am wondering if that would work??

Not sure how I can be of help. B.C.s are either barkers or quiet you seem to have a barker. My 2 hardly ever bark the rescue B.C only barks in play with my rough. He is no good as a house guard. Maybe when she is older she will get more confident as it sounds like fear barking.

She's not aggressive just a bit vocal.

You are however confusing her.

It is ok to bark when at play, when the doorbell rings, when you are not paying her attention, when you are talking to the kids, etc, etc but not when out and about. Where's the consistancy?

My collie barks when on the odd occassion when he's excited but if he does it is one bark, correction and continue but if he continues to bark the interaction is stopped. A contented dog will not bark so removal fromt he situation, correction or conter-conditioning are your best weapons.

thanks for your reply.

I know what you mean. My old (rip) Collie never barked; she was very happy just to plod around really. But both of Rosie's parents are working, although her mum was very quiet and gentle I never actually met her father (always off working!!) just watched him at work.

She does respond to no, so I will just keep up with it.

Have you ever used a head harness?? The ones to stop pulling - I wondered if this would be effective enough to stop her barking whilst walking?

Thanks Hutch.

I see exactly what you mean. I suppose because her mannerism is different when we are out I react differently to it but I can see that I am not being consistent. I do correct her when she barks at home aswell.

I would argue the point that a happy dog does not bark though. When I walk her with my brothers GSP they both bark run and play together all the time - but it is not aggressive behaviour. And I can certainly say she is extremely happy when she is barking at home - all that she is doing is communicating with me/us. I object to her barking (and it is aggressively) at other dogs and people in the street. Incidentally, when she is off the lead and meets another dog she barks and immediately runs to my side. She certainly displays a nervous behaviour and a protective one?

I might try a head collar (not a spray thing but a harness) just as another reminder to her that it is not acceptable to bark and people and dogs???

Start off at home. Ignore her completely when she barks for attention, or when she is asking you for her ball.. then HEAPS of praise when she stops. Do not throw the ball i she barks, but after the praise then throw it.

Once she starts getting the hand of this, ask her to be quiet.. ie you are playing with her and her ball, she barks at you to hurry up, give the command you choose ''quiet'', repeat it a few times but not constantly, when she stops, praise and throw the ball.

Then you can start doing it with other things, might be best not to take her on theschool run it might be a bit much.. but keep doing it everytime you walk her, everytime she startes barking and make sure she gets loads of praise for quiet.

Collies are very intelligent, but even the most intelligent dogs can get confused, you have to be consistent if you want the barking to stop barking at some things, you will have to get her to stop barkig at other things too.

Hope this helps i don' think she needs a spray collar yet, and in my opinion they arent very effective.

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Many thanks for your help Poisongirl.

I must say that I haven't tried the ignore route but as I read it I realised just how obvious that would be!! I will try it now.

No, I agree about the spray collar. It was in my head as a friend (who shows french bulldogs) suggested it last night.

I know I keep on about this, but have you ever tried one of those head harnesses that are supposed to stop pulling??

Go google the walkezee harness, its FANTASTIC!
I had tried all sorts, halti, different harnesses til I found this one and its really good

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