My dog is a Border collie, female, now 4 years old. She was really friendly with all dogs till recently, especially before she is 1.5 year olds.

I got her when I was studying in Finland. And She plays nicely with every dog we meet during walks or in the dog park. And she is well trained for obedience, agility and retrieves.

I moved back to China when she was 1.5 year olds to start working full-time. In the new households, there wasn’t that many large breed dogs compare to before. But She still had regular play time with one of my neighbor’s Husky, and everything is fine.

Then I start to notice that she is likely to ignore smaller dogs. And when she is about 3 years old, she only plays with large breed dogs. But all she did was ignore all the smaller ones. Even when the smaller dog barks or try to stand up and put their front paws on her shoulders, she would simply walk away.

She give birth to her first litter when she is 3.5 year old. During the pregnancy till the puppies was weaned from her, she had reactions as normally bitches – feel nerves when other dogs approach her. And during that period I had always kept a distance that she felt safe when we meet other dogs,she would sit peaceful beside me when I talk to their owner. After the puppies were weaned from her, she starts to play with her playmates all right.

But recently, it happens that she is good with some dogs and bad to some others. And there are times I can’t tell why she dislikes the certain dog.

Yes, when facing an aggressive dog that barks extensively at her, so she barks back and shows her teethes, I can understand. I'll simply giving her orders to ignore the dog and take our leave.

There are other times that smaller dog comes over and try to show dominance, by standing up and put their front paws on her shoulder or so, then she will try to scare the dog off by showing the teeth. Even though I don’t like it, and discourage it every time it happens, but there is a reason,so I'll simply tell her to be easy with the small ones.

Then there are times, other new dog just come and sniffs her butt, and she will suddenly show her teeth or even mouth the other dog as trying to play (Well, small dog owner wont't like this for sure, and there are large dogs which is really shy, etc..) This has never happened before, she was either really gentle for all kind of dogs or just ignore them.

It's start to be a problem, as it's really hard for me to tell, when facing a new dog, with which she would get along with, and which not?

May I ask is this because she reaches a certian age, and feels like she should be respect by other dogs, or simply because her temple changed?

Should I just stick with those dogs that we already know she gets along with? And simply ask her to ignore other dogs (She will ignore on my command) to give us both a litte bit peace when walks?

Or is there any needs and ways to train her to improve the situation?

Thank you very much for your time.

I don't see a reason for her to be 'making friends' with all these other new dogs. I would also be careful with the established canine friends she has now. I have had bitches whose demeaner changed after having pups, heck, mine changed after having my kids. lol She is mature now and trying to make/keep her place in the heirarcy. That will lead to displays and fights.
Keep having her ignore other dogs but also make sure to keep other dogs from harrassing her. That's your job, to keep her from having to posture/fight for rank. Don't allow the other dogs to get close to her, much less touch or sniff her. Carry a big stick if you must.
My Border Collies are not good at all with dogs they don't know (and one is even a little touchy with dogs she does know.)
Best wishes!

Hi Lu,

Welcome to the forum. I beieve you are setting yourself and your dog up for some serious problems. Her behavior is changing, she is giving you plent of advance warning yet you continue to put her in the situtions. ?? Personally, I would be working/training/playing with my dog away from all these potentional problems. Someone's dog is gonna get hurt... your's or someone elses. JMHO.

Again, welcome to Leerburg!

How is it in where you live? Are there lost of dogs running around without a leash? Lots of stray dogs? It sounds like it by what you are saying. Is it hard to find a place where there are no dogs around?

Lenka

Hi Lu

I adopted "Case" an 18 month old male German Shepherd 8 weeks ago. He's strong willed with high prey drive.

I have also adopted a few rules to help him, me and other dogs.

1) We never go in a dog park. I take him running most days and there is a big dog park en route. We go round it 2/3 times each day and I see chaos inside every day. Supposedly responsible owners leave their dogs running loose and there are pack order establishment issues happening continually. These owners think it's play. It creates stress and worse for your dog.

2) My dog has been introduced, on leash, 1 on 1 to about 175-200 dogs (Including repeat introductions). he is totally pleasant and slightly aloof with other dogs and has not yet instigated any aggression. The moment I see any signs from the other dog (even putting it's snout on my dog's back) I back off about 3-5 yards and have my dog sit. Again, I have repeatedly seen other owners say their dog is friendly and within 5 seconds that proves to be completely untrue. My going in assumption is for the worst.

You are saying that you're having bad experiences with other dogs trying to dominate your BC. I see it as my role as case's pack leader to make sure he either does not face this or that I step in.

My worst moment was with my girlfriends Shepherd puppy. She had the pup on leash when another dog that was off leash came running over. I gave that dog several strong verbal warnings to back off and then it lunged. I jumped in front and smacked the dog hard on the snout. Next I would have kicked and probably really hurt that dog. The dog's owner was furious with me and screamed at me about hitting her dog. I calmly told her that if she did not put her dog on a leash or get it firmly under her control, the next time it came over my response would be worse. I see it as my responsibility to protect dogs with me from both other dogs and handlers.

3) Case never goes off leash.

4) Once a week we sit for half an hour outside a coffee shop or a store. This gets him more used to noises, people and other dogs being around.

5) I have recently found an awesome Schutzhund trainer who is helping me with Case. We work once a month together and are now starting sessions via Skype video. I will report any issues and we will put plans into place to resolve.

I have a friend with a small mutt dog who is female and about 10. She is a stealth attacker. Totally friendly with other dogs and then with no warning she snaps. Unfortunately my friend has, for years, simply made excuses for her behavior. Her excuse is that her dog was attacked when she was young. Walking this dog is a complete nightmare.

So what to do?

1) I'd stop the introductions to playmates for a while and be sure that you have all the basic commands in place even with big distractions.

2) Establish that she wants to interact with other dogs. I'm assuming she does.

3) I'd introduce her very carefully to different dogs, one at a time, over several days, always on leash and always in a low stress area. When you have a positive experience, big rewards, treats, positive feedback from you. If she shows any aggression, even slight, she loses that treat for the day.

4) She's not a pup so you can put her on a prong collar and also offer corrections if she continues misbehavior.

After that you need help from an expert, beyond my knowledge.

Hope it all works out
Rob

P.S - What's your dog's name?

Thanks everybody.

Yes, in the area where I'm living right now, there are always dogs running lose, espcially small dogs. Their owner simply thinks that small dogs are safe. Even though it is really annoying me, and I tried to convence them that dogs should be on leash, but it's not likely everybody will listen.

And yes she do show interests of meeting new dogs, she always wag her tail. And I found out this week that she only act like that when the other dog is trying to show dominance over her.

I guess I'll just have to find some other place to walk her, and let her play with only her familiar playmates, keep ignore those new dogs and off-leash one.