A bit upset currently about dodger..?

Question

my dog has been chasing and biting people. we live ona rental property of 20 acres and it has no fencing that keeps dogs in. nd the owner won't make any and won't let us. so dodger my cattle dog has decided that anyone wom walks past deserves to get "taken out".

my mum wants to take him to the rspca. but he's only 18 months and he's my dog and i love him. I have had a trainer out and he is muzzled while people are walking passed and chained if they are working on the property. i have bought cesars book, how to be pack leader and am reading it. he is castrated. and he has been to puppy school and dog school. Any ideas on how train him out of this would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

if it's possible, bring him inside.

there could be something medically wrong with him, you should get him checked out.

Answer 2

the dog is being territorial, he feels that strangers are invading his space, keep him in if it doesn'tstop.

Answer 3

Your dog has a very Alpha personality for all the reasons that others have cited. However, you need to reinforce to your dog that YOU are inn charge and that you determine how "intruders" are to be handled. If I were you, I'd start reinforcing Alpha status by getting a pinch collar (they look horrible, but put it on your neck and pull...they aren't bad) that simulates a nip from an Alpha dog. Keep him on a leash with you for about a week. And I mean take him everywhere you can. If you can have him on the leash while you work, do that. Or else tie him up near you.

When people walk past, act as if the dog isn't there. Greet them if you would normally greet them, or ignore them as you please.

The bottom line in all of this, is that he needs to look to you to take his cue on dealing with intruders. Also, the more "Alpha" you are, then he will begin to respect the boundaries YOU set on where his territory ends, and he won't wander without permission.

Good luck with this! I have a kelpie cross that I adopted from a rescue and he and I have a great relationship, and his behavior improved dramatically once I started cracking down on him. He just needed to be disciplined and to know his "place."

Answer 4

I would have to second K's comment that is his "job" protect the flock and teritory, it might not be a human assigned, acceptable job but he made it his job anyways... Build your own dog run/ secure yard or keep him inside... an invisible fence may work with proper training... Even though cm uses Dogtra collars is some situations like this not involving aggression or people, E-collars are not advised in this situation because they can intensify and justify aggression in the dogs head. Reference the Blue Healer tire biter in Kentucky. It is very difficult to treat dogs with these types of problems when they are in a large uncontrolled environment like this without full cooperation of all people who may ever encounter the dog.

Has your guy had any formal socialization and training? I suggest consulting a trainer and/or behaviorist who can structure a program specific to you and your dog if none of the fencing suggestions are viable options or move... btw, watching edited tapes without personal instruction, encouragement  and criticism only serves to frustrate and confuse owners more...

Answer 5

Your dog was bred to keep intruders out and keep the cattle safe. He probably likes to be an independent leader, so it's no surprise to me that the training hasn't helped much.

You say you can't build a fence, but what about an electric fence/ invisible fence? There are so many options these days, they're safe for your dog, and very effective at setting boundaries without the hassle of building an actual fence. The downside is that it's a tiny bit on the costly side, but you could look into it and find a place that might give you a good deal. It sounds like the only good option for you guys. It's not fair to give your dog up to the shelter, because they'd be dealing with his same problem and end up humanely euthanizing him. Just get an electric fence, and you'll feel worlds better.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You could get a dog run/ pen.

Or maybe a less plausible answer but I look at this question and I keep thinking what you really need to get a real good super soaker.

You know the water guns that have like hundred meter range that say on the front 'WARNING: DO NOT AIM IN FACE' and just lodge yourself on the porch for a few days and every time the dog goes for it 'take him down' and he gets cold and wet for his effort.

Maybe it’ll train him out of it.

I assume that by the time you realize you need to react the dog is a fair distance away, I wouldn’t want you to hurt your dog with an over powered water gun.