May 23, 2011
We’ve moved twice in the last several months and one of our dogs has gone awry. She’s lunging at our other dog when she tries to approach me. This is only when I am working on the computer.
Full Question:
Hi Cindy,We've had a period of stress and instability the past 3-4 months... Having moved 2x in this span of time, our Border Collie mutt has gone awry. We just moved into a 2 bedroom apartment about 4 weeks ago. Initially it was great and our 2 dogs seemed happy and played together like normal. It's a nice quiet location too. This week I also started taking them for walks daily.
We have a golden that is the alpha female of the two, both female, and they have been best buds since bringing the bc mutt home. All of a sudden the bc mutt is displaying odd behavior. She will be laying at my feet under the desk, suddenly sit up, stiffen, put her chin on my leg, and start trembling. The golden is asleep and clueless? nothing in the environment has changed, no noises or anything to spook her. I'm just working on the computer. I'm at a loss as to what is going on. The other time recently she did this, she lunged at the golden when the golden approached for attention. This is so odd because they have been so good together and are more often than not side by side receiving attention without a problem.
To further add to the confusion, it only happens in the one bedroom in our apartment where I work on the computer. I feed them a raw diet. They are both very healthy with shiny coats. The Golden is almost 8 and the mutt is about 5. I am suspicious that the root of this is due to the stress of the past few months having really affected the bc mutt? that she is insecure and depressed and that this will go away with me working to re-enforce the pack dynamics and her sense of security. Your thoughts?
Much appreciated,
Sara
Cindy's Answer:
This isn’t unusual when there is a change, such a move (or any life changing event).
I’d take away the freedom of the dogs (both of them) to be where they choose (i.e around your desk) because it’s obviously become a resource that the BC has decided to claim. This is YOUR space, not hers.
Owners of dogs like yours underestimate the genetic power of "PACK DRIVE." Pack structure is not something new and it is not optional, and if you don’t provide the structure and leadership a dog NEEDS then he or she will behave as canines have for thousands of years and will structure your family and household their own way.
If you want to fix a problem like this, you can, but it takes some work. I’d start out with our groundwork program. I’d also recommend the video that picks up where the groundwork article leaves off, Pack Structure for the Family Pet.
If just reworking pack structure doesn’t solve it, I would also recommend titled Dealing with Dominant and Aggressive Dogs. If you go to the link on this DVD you can read about what it covers. You will also see a detailed outline of what’s in the video.
I hope this helps. Cindy
I’d take away the freedom of the dogs (both of them) to be where they choose (i.e around your desk) because it’s obviously become a resource that the BC has decided to claim. This is YOUR space, not hers.
Owners of dogs like yours underestimate the genetic power of "PACK DRIVE." Pack structure is not something new and it is not optional, and if you don’t provide the structure and leadership a dog NEEDS then he or she will behave as canines have for thousands of years and will structure your family and household their own way.
If you want to fix a problem like this, you can, but it takes some work. I’d start out with our groundwork program. I’d also recommend the video that picks up where the groundwork article leaves off, Pack Structure for the Family Pet.
If just reworking pack structure doesn’t solve it, I would also recommend titled Dealing with Dominant and Aggressive Dogs. If you go to the link on this DVD you can read about what it covers. You will also see a detailed outline of what’s in the video.
I hope this helps. Cindy
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