Thanks guys!! Border Collie retraining/fighting update!!
dreher
Member Posts: 8,892 ✭✭✭✭
I know what to do when it comes to training Border Collies, my problem is implementing the things I need to do. Physical limitations are a problem when dealing BC's.
A couple of you mentioned doing a down----stay ----until released, when feeding. So I said this is something I can do so I will try it. A distinct improvement in behavior quickly followed. So I decided to double down. When you put your BC's out to play, exercise and potty they go out that door like greyhounds at the track.
Next step was down----stay ----in front of the door, then opening the door and let them look out at the beckoning outdoors. This bothered them even more than having to wait on their food. 😁 They each tried me once and got their noses whapped with the door as they tried to sprint past me.
The final piece of the puzzle was a squirt bottle of water. Most BC's hate water. Mine are in that group. Each got one squirt for behavior infractions. Now, when they start doing anything that irritates me, I pickup the spray bottle and both dogs sprint for their crates without me even squirting them! 😁
Their inside the house behavior is great. My wife, Little Miss Soft Heart, hasn't been doing any of this. I usually feed the dogs. A few days ago I asked Ol' Softie to feed them cause I was in the middle of something. She fed them then did a real quick sprint to the bathroom. A couple of minutes later when she walked back into the kitchen Lola was laying by her food dish waiting to be released. The catch is my wife just put the bowls down. She didn't down---stay ----the dogs. I was real proud of Lola!!!
So the dogs are vastly better behaved then they were. Fighting is completely gone.
You all know there is a catch don't you?? Inside behavior almost perfect but remember I'm talking BC's. Once they are out in the yard running and playing they know I can't get to them to administer "FIRM" discipline. Outside I'm pretty much ignored. I haven't made up my mind if this bothers me enough to do anything about it. A pair of very well behaved cutie pies inside the house may be good enough but I have put the squirt bottle on the back porch where they can see it and they aren't that irritating at the moment so I'll be waiting to see how they are acting in a month or two when they are outside.
Anyway your down---stay ---at meals worked and started this training process, so thank you!!
Comments
one thing i have learned in 50 yrs of dog ownership is you have to be consistent and you have to be the alpha dog in the pack. even after they know how to behave correctly they will occasionally challenge you and you must stay consistent with what you require of them.
Good job, WTG
My aunt and uncle have a pair of border collies. Those are the smartest breed of any dog, I'm sure of it. They also have enough energy for TEN dogs. He takes his on trips in their motor home. He is a photographer so there are LOTS of fantastic pictures of his dogs. He has a water bottle handy and has been through all kinds of classes with his dog. I still hear him yelling at them the entire time I'm on the phone with him. I think they are doing whatever it is on purpose just because they know he's on the phone and they want him to appear like a goofball to whoever he's talking to.
I have a Yellow Lab that will do anything I ask him to do ......................... unless we are outside, he seems to go stone deaf but only to my voice ...... although he can hear a neighbor or another dog from a mile off. 😉
We use large breed livestock guard dogs to prevent predation on the goat herd. Having absolute control is very important when dealing with a dog of this size and nature. There can be no question of who is the 'alpha' when handling a dog weighing up to 160# that will tackle any creature they consider a threat. These aren't house pet play toy dogs-they're aggressive killers.
These dogs wait to be told they can eat the food placed in front of them. The older dog will lie down beside her feed pan w/o touching the food if I forget to give her the OK to eat-that's how solidly she's trained. We just weaned a litter of 11 puppies and all of the 'extras' were sold within 3 weeks of birth. Some of this was reputation but most was based on video of the parents' attitude and response to training.
Mobuck, multiple questions. What breed of goats? What breed of dogs?? I would love a link to your video.
I ever so respect what you do with your dogs but I couldn't do what you do. Back when I could do a good job as a dog trainer my best Border Collie would be with me nearly 24/7. In the truck, in the barn, in the fields, curled up by my feet at night. I had perfect behavior and could never figure out whether Woolie loved me more than I loved her but I hope so much that Woolie will be at my side eternally at some point in the future!!
goats are registered KIKO
dogs are Akbash and Akbash/Anatolian cross
no link to the video, Son sent it by text to prospective buyers who were not familiar with the capabilities of these dogs
I am accepted as the alpha male and basically treated as such by all 3 adult dogs. The male is the youngest and typically, the hardest to control while the females only need a harsh word to stop improper behavior. The male accompanies me in the pasture usually within arms reach and will "hold my hand" by taking my hand in his mouth as we walk. This would be very disconcerting for most but totally normal for me. In repeated tests, if I feign a fall he will stand over me until I get bored with the game and get up. When it's time for me to stand, I tell him to "help me up" and he assumes a braced position in front of me like a sawhorse for me to use as support. All these things learned during 5 to 15 minutes per day during the 8 months +/- (May-January) that they are here each year. The dogs have a job to do and it's deadly serious so I don't make them pets.