Aggression in puppies

[linedancer3]

Help, training strategies please! I have given refuge to a 5 month old collie pup as its previous owner could not cope with its behaviour and was wanting to get rid of it. It was arranged as a trial to see if it worked out with both me and my old gentle 11 year old Border Collie but the owner does not want it back ( he was anxious that it went to a good home) . However this puppy has aggressive tendencies and will not take a firm no for an answer. She growls ,snarls and snaps at any attempt to correct her eg giving her something she can chew as a substitute for shoes etc, or telling her to get down from the sofa. She has a thing about biting feet and again turns nasty when you try and stop her. She has actually bitten me enough to break the skin(not puppy nips) on a couple of occasions but I cant just let her do exactly as she pleases-she need to learn some boundaries. She has a food aggression and before I realised this she attacked my dog nastily and now it is scared of her and very unhappy. She also chases and barks at cars. I am wary of being bitten again and its very difficult knowing what to do next ,taking into consideration my own dog as well. She has a chance of going to a collie training and rescue centre where these problems would be sorted and then she would be rehomed but I feel quite guilty about this. What would you pet lovers out there do? Thanks!

[woofgang]

I would put her into collie rescue now. They will manage her better than you can.
I mean this with respect. Collies can be wired and nervy dogs and need special handling. It sounds like she had a poor start in life before she came to you.

[linedancer3]

Thank you! That has made me feel much less guilty about even considering putting her into rescue. I am just at a loss as to what I can do to stop this behaviour especially as it is beginning to affect my own dog.

[woofgang]

just go and do it....the sooner you do it, the easier it will be for the rescue to help her.

[Deesie_88]

Hi - im sorry to hear your having such a difficult time! As long as you have checked out the rescue centre and know that it is a good place with good staff that wont just give up on the puppy ( This happens in shelters more than I would care to admit, either through lack of resources, time or knowledge) and she wont be given up on then I think this is definitely the best opportunity for her. You have given her more kindness and time than most people would have even considered - People with more experience and knowledge ( no disrespect intended ) would definitely ( in my humble opinion ) be the best and happiest route for the little girl. Dont let human guilt cloud the right path for her. Good luck :)

[linedancer3]

Yes it is a good rescue and rehabilitation is a large part of their work. I know of it through a friend who adopted their dog from there and her husband now does voluntary work for them. I realise it needs to be helped as soon as possible and there is a place available at the weekend which I am now going to accept. Thanks for your advice - it has greatly helped in making the decision!

[islasmum]

What a shame it hasn't worked out for you, I'm totally with the other posters here - let the rescue home take her on - it would be really awful if your dog and toddler were badly bitten (or you!) and a danger to anyone else in your home or out. It just sounds like she's had a bad start in life, and I think that it will be quite a job to get her settled with anyone. I feel sorry for you, but you are doing the right thing.