Help, my dog has become territorial/aggressive

[Guest Anonymous]

mixed breed "found" as a stray ~21/2 yrs old border collie/retreiver mix we think (has pink nose, mouth pouts, light eyes sable and white has become very territorial to anyone who approaches our house/comes in the house, other dogs. Children,adults doesn't matter. She will tear after them bark/snap/jump. Once she knows you it is ok but if you come over again, she'll do the same. My husband wants to muzzle her or lock her up all the time or worse, send her to the shelter. What can I do? She is extremely gentle with the family and the other dogs in our house. Mouth is soft, takes food w/o snapping, snuggles etc... Lets the kids lay all over her. I'm very worried she'll bite. Has gotten out of the fenced back yard and attacked another dog and a jogger!! Luckily no one was hurt. Any ideas to help me?

[imported_Cassie]

My Rottweiler is territorial aggressive....the suggestions K gave were great. I usually will put my Rottie away until the "new" guest has arrived...she is fine with people she knows (of course she still barks until they actually get in the house) I also use the word "settle" when my Rottie starts barking I come to the window and check it out (isnt that the job of the dog to warn you of potential danger?) then once I have checked it out I tell her to "settle" or "go to bed" I have looked into the situation; deemed it harmless and my dog is happy that she warned me, and I let her know what to do instead of carrying on ...
I have also trained my dogs the "nothing is free in life policy" this shows the dog the "house rules" once you have taught this and the dog has to sit to say please for every resource (walks, food, treats, going out the door) then the dog realizes that the house actually belongs to "you & your family" :lol: once you have this down pat, I would have sit and let the guests come over to greet her by giving her a treat and a quick rub on her chest....then have your quests ignore her, but, to have treats ready...when the guest wants to see her have them come over and tell your dog to "sit" then give the treat.
I would also keep up a better fence for your dog....I have seen "lots" of dogs run out after passing people, dogs, bikers etc. dogs tend to have a bigger territory than we think they should have :lol: the best thing I can suggest for you in this circumstance is either try to desensitize your dog by walking it past these object and persons and re-direct your dogs attention to you, or keep your dog better contained...or course, you mention your dog has border collie in it....border collies have a drive to eye-stalk and chase objects.
I would also give the dog lots of exercise and other activities to keep that busy mind occupied.

[imported_Cassie]

One more thing I meant to mention...with your guests coming into your home and the aggression your dog is showing is a big concern. I would seek the advise of an animal behaviorist to help you with this problem...its best to have some one access the situation before some one gets bitten. You can visit this web site www.AnimalBehavior Associates.com to learn more about positive approaches to behavior through behavior wellness telecourses.
I would also set up situations out side the home first where your dog can encounter "freindly people" (you can use neighbors, friends etc.) have these people position them selves along your walking path...most dogs are much less threatened if they can approach people who are standing still...don't have people approach your dog. Have your volunteers position them selves so they are not facing your dog...when your dog first notices the person begin talking in a happy tone of voice (not soothing or coddling) this will be an approach to "convince" your dog that a person's presence triggers the beginning of good things for her. Before you begin instruct your volunteer to drop a tidbit on the ground when you and your dog are close enough...your volunteers should not look at your dog, reach towards her or lean over her. Their job is to stand up straight and ignore your dog while dropping treats. Stop near your volunteer so they person can drop 5-6 more treats...with each treat she should become more relaxed...throughout the exercise keep your dogs leash short, but loose...most dogs are usually more aggressive on a leash...so its very important you don't hold the leash up tight...this can cause your dog to become more tense...they read alot into the signals the owner is giving them...wheather we know it or not :wink: after you have this exercise down pat on out door walks and your dog seems to be more friendly towards people then start using this same exercise at home...you can recruit vistors to practice this same exercise at home....ignore the dog and drop treats, don't let any one lean over your dog or approach your dog as the dog can some times be threatened by their approaches.
After you feel comfortable and you are also practicing the "nothing is free in life policy" you can have your friends ask your dog to sit before making of her.

Has gotten out of the fenced back yard and attacked another dog and a jogger

I meant to mention as well....you might want to put up a privacy fence...if your dog has access to see all of these "prey objects' walking by...it will keep her in an aroused state....The frustration of being able to see passing people,dogs, bikes, cats etc. and not being able to chase them, can grow over time and result in a dog who becomes fixated on attacking the "prey"....my Rottweiler would go snakey if she was able to see all of these distractions go by my home...alot of dogs have a very strong desire to eye stalk and chase, grab-bite...etc. its a hard wired behavior...and it can be useful for alot of play times...fetching balls, agility etc. are all predatory actions..these hard wired behaviors have been bred into a lot of breeds to perform certain "jobs"....its hard to train a dog which fast moving items its allowed to chase and which ones are off limits...for the times when your dog may have access to chase these objects a good emergency down is a great training default for these times....the dog can still see the "prey object" but, has time for its adrenaline to simmer down...then you can call her back from the "down" or calmly walk over and snap her leash on her collar.
Good luck to you...I hope you are able to work through this...I really think you should have a behaviorist access your dog as well. :wink:

[JudyHoffman]

If this dog is part border collie, it needs a job to do. Do you obedience train this dog at all? Have you ever?

Obedience training with consistent training and leadership will help the problem. Dogs normally, if they are healthy, don't just "suddenly" become aggressive. It is 99% of the time the fault of the owner who usually does not provide significant exercise, brain work for the dog and a good diet.

Border Collies (even part) need a job to do. They are highly intelligent .... use that dogs mind to make it happy again.

Go to obedience school, continue going, try agility maybe, or maybe herding? Get that dog working and I can almost say that this behavior will change, but it will take time, lots of it and commitment on your part.

[Guest Anonymous]

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