ChatterBank1 min ago
Border Collie rescue dog.
16 Answers
I have a gorgeous Border Collie bitch whom we got from a rescue centre a year ago when she was eight months old, and we love her to bits.
She hadn't had the greatest start in life, since she'd had three homes already before she came to us, and for a while she tended to look upon us as just another staging post in her life. Now, however, she knows she's home and she returns our love in spades. She's great with the grandchildren (if a little over-enthusiastic on occasions), she's well socialised and has a group of other dogs she plays with very happily every morning on our local rec, and generally she's a dream ... but ...
Get her in the car and she turns from a loving dog into a monster. She barks violently, throwing herself at the windows if anyone comes even close, never mind about touching the car. She almost deafens us with this behaviour and she has a tendency to do it in the house as well, though not quite so badly; though I have to fight her off and shut her in a room before I dare open the door to anyone.
I've tried rattling a tin of stones at her and tried squirting water into her face (oh boy, she loves that!) A few weeks ago I went out and spent the better part of �90.00 on an anti-bark collar and very briefly it worked. Now, however, she's worked out that it simply squirts at her, doesn't hurt her in any way, and she's no longer impressed or in any way put off!!!
Please, does anyone have any suggestions as to how we can stop this barking? Sometimes it's really tempting to thump her to shut her up (though I hasten to add I've not succumbed to that yet ), but it is really irritating, very embarrassing and sometimes actually quite frightening.
She hadn't had the greatest start in life, since she'd had three homes already before she came to us, and for a while she tended to look upon us as just another staging post in her life. Now, however, she knows she's home and she returns our love in spades. She's great with the grandchildren (if a little over-enthusiastic on occasions), she's well socialised and has a group of other dogs she plays with very happily every morning on our local rec, and generally she's a dream ... but ...
Get her in the car and she turns from a loving dog into a monster. She barks violently, throwing herself at the windows if anyone comes even close, never mind about touching the car. She almost deafens us with this behaviour and she has a tendency to do it in the house as well, though not quite so badly; though I have to fight her off and shut her in a room before I dare open the door to anyone.
I've tried rattling a tin of stones at her and tried squirting water into her face (oh boy, she loves that!) A few weeks ago I went out and spent the better part of �90.00 on an anti-bark collar and very briefly it worked. Now, however, she's worked out that it simply squirts at her, doesn't hurt her in any way, and she's no longer impressed or in any way put off!!!
Please, does anyone have any suggestions as to how we can stop this barking? Sometimes it's really tempting to thump her to shut her up (though I hasten to add I've not succumbed to that yet ), but it is really irritating, very embarrassing and sometimes actually quite frightening.
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I'd be quite happy to do that only they never actually handled her. We'd left our name with them (because our last dog came from them) and they phoned us and told us that Jasmine was being put up for adoption and if we wanted her would be collect her from her owner, which we did. They said they'd seen her, sitting between the children on the back seat of the car when her owner called to register her, but they never actually had her in their care.
However, if you think it would be a good idea I can certainly put a call through to them.
However, if you think it would be a good idea I can certainly put a call through to them.
okay but they should still be avaialble for post adoption advice and support. Hindsight is a wonderful thing I know, so I am posting this for other readers not you but personally I would NEVER deal with a rescue setup that doesn't assess dogs properly before rehoming them (terrible personal experience)
I agree, a crate covered with a blanket or cage cover will stop her seeing out. Unfortunately this is not an uncommon problem will collies, and is akin to 'car chasing' which is another trait. They have an obsessive streak, which makes them good for working but it is very irritating when they do it all the time.
Only other thing I can suggest is to sit in the back of the car with her on a lead or maybe a halti, and hold her head still while she is lying down .
In her own mind she is trying to protect you from any 'intruders' or anyone who might be trying to hurt you either at home or in the car. You need to stay calm (easily said!) and convince her you don't need her protection.
Only other thing I can suggest is to sit in the back of the car with her on a lead or maybe a halti, and hold her head still while she is lying down .
In her own mind she is trying to protect you from any 'intruders' or anyone who might be trying to hurt you either at home or in the car. You need to stay calm (easily said!) and convince her you don't need her protection.
The crate idea would be great - if we didn't have the tiniest little Kia you've ever seen for a car!!!! However, I think holding her head still when she starts might be a good idea and almost certainly the fact that when she leaps at the window barking her head off the fact that I shout at her to be quiet isn't helping. So I must learn to be calm, hold her head so that she can't see whatever it is she's barking at and tell her quietly to be still.
You're right about her having an obsessive streak, but it is her strong personality, and funny little clever and sometimes quirky tricks that attracts us to her. She can quite literally be 'almost human' in her reactions to certain things.
You're right about her having an obsessive streak, but it is her strong personality, and funny little clever and sometimes quirky tricks that attracts us to her. She can quite literally be 'almost human' in her reactions to certain things.
When "it's me or the dog" trainer (Victoria Stillwell?) had the car barking problem she blacked out the windows and blocked the dogs vision through the front window by putting a sheet across the front seats, after a while allowing the dogs some vision when they were quiet, and blacking out if they barked. it worked for her, but then again "Everything" works for her, allegedly.
Julie
Julie
ours was quite barky too. We invested around 100 pounds nto an individual dog psychology visit, and the suggestions we got really helped. a lot of them were working on his obedience (for example hand-feeding him and limiting playing to when WE want and only for limited bursts. This way they learn all good things come directly from you and are more likely to obey you.. then if they start barking, you give them the command to stop and they do. A lot of ours was "fear behaviour" (he always barks at bikes) he learns that when he barks because he's scared the bikes cycle off - this reinforces the behaviour because he has got what he wants - the bike to go away.
Also, at home during the day he is crated and we keep the curtains closed. He dosen't tend to bark when we are there.
Also, at home during the day he is crated and we keep the curtains closed. He dosen't tend to bark when we are there.
i don't think it is a good idea restrainig her head or sticking her in a crate. this is a behavioural problem and it needs to be addressed properly.
I've been going to dog training classes (which is an option you should definatley consider) with our border collie and if you can't control her behaviour - quickly and firmly (but never to hurt the dog) grab and release the scruff (back) of the dogs neck. this is where the mummy dog would have grabbed her pups to get them to behave. the grab and release should only last literally a second, but it works if done right.
also, do not shout at your dog or give her any attention when she is acting up. ignore him. by talking (and shouting) at your dog when she misbehaviours the dog sees it as praise.
definately invest in the training classes.
I've been going to dog training classes (which is an option you should definatley consider) with our border collie and if you can't control her behaviour - quickly and firmly (but never to hurt the dog) grab and release the scruff (back) of the dogs neck. this is where the mummy dog would have grabbed her pups to get them to behave. the grab and release should only last literally a second, but it works if done right.
also, do not shout at your dog or give her any attention when she is acting up. ignore him. by talking (and shouting) at your dog when she misbehaviours the dog sees it as praise.
definately invest in the training classes.
This might work with an eight week old puppy, but grabbing an eighteen month old by the back of the neck will result in a frightened aggressive dog. Not sure what sort of training class would recommend this, certainly not one I would want to go to.
Distraction techniques and avoiding the situation are much better strategies. Praising for even short term compliance is a much better way of doing it.
Distraction techniques and avoiding the situation are much better strategies. Praising for even short term compliance is a much better way of doing it.
lankeela, my pup is 11months old. this doesnt hurt the dog AT ALL.
This method of control is only to be used is situations when you cannot control your dogs behaviour by other means (as I said in my previous answer). You obviously misinterpretated my answer or have no knowledge of dog training.
Reputable dog training is based on positive reinforcements, but sometimes you need to take swift action to stop a dog injuring itself or others.
It is important to immediately control a dog in a dangerous situation. distracting it will not work whilst it is trying to attack people through a car window.
This method of control is only to be used is situations when you cannot control your dogs behaviour by other means (as I said in my previous answer). You obviously misinterpretated my answer or have no knowledge of dog training.
Reputable dog training is based on positive reinforcements, but sometimes you need to take swift action to stop a dog injuring itself or others.
It is important to immediately control a dog in a dangerous situation. distracting it will not work whilst it is trying to attack people through a car window.
I agree with Lankeela.
If you grab a collie by the scruff in this situation - what do you think will happen?
The dog is VERY wound up, protecting its property and is suddenly grabbed by the scruff?
The dog will respond in the only way it knows how - with its teeth!
The best solution is to try the blacking out of the windows if you can (but you have to leave the front side windows clear by law).
You could try a dog seat belt that will hold her in position and stop her moving around in the car, this will in turn stop her getting so wound up.
The main thing with collies is try as much as you can to remain calm around them, shouting or even grabbing/hitting them will only wind them up even more.
If you grab a collie by the scruff in this situation - what do you think will happen?
The dog is VERY wound up, protecting its property and is suddenly grabbed by the scruff?
The dog will respond in the only way it knows how - with its teeth!
The best solution is to try the blacking out of the windows if you can (but you have to leave the front side windows clear by law).
You could try a dog seat belt that will hold her in position and stop her moving around in the car, this will in turn stop her getting so wound up.
The main thing with collies is try as much as you can to remain calm around them, shouting or even grabbing/hitting them will only wind them up even more.
This is the sort of thing I mean:
http://www.ukdogruns.co.uk/carharnesses.php
It will also protect her in an accident, if you hit something and she is free in the back seat she will be propelled forward and hit either the back of your head or the windscreen.
http://www.ukdogruns.co.uk/carharnesses.php
It will also protect her in an accident, if you hit something and she is free in the back seat she will be propelled forward and hit either the back of your head or the windscreen.
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