HELP!!!! I have a 7 month old Bearded Collie Puppy who is an...

Question by Daisy
Submitted on 10/16/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Bearded Collies Breed-FAQ
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HELP!!!! I have a 7 month old Bearded Collie Puppy who is an Absolute terror. We got him at 9 weeks and tried to crate train him for the first three months but it was impossible-he went insane every night allowing us no sleep. Also when we left him in the crate he would salivate all over himself and the crate, he would also reach his paws out and scratch the walls and floor until the tiles were ruined and scratched all the paint off the walls. Then we tried baby gates to confine him in the kitchen-Nothing was high enough he can jump 5 feet. He chewed the walls near the gates. if we leave him in a room with the door shut he attacks the door and ruins that as well. But these confinement issues are hardly the biggest problem. He constantly has to be destroying something - and if there is nothing in reach for him to destroy he will bite on my clothing and growl. He gets really hyper and jumps up and bites me and my mother all the time, my mother cannot even walk him because he attacks her on walks-the other day he attacked her hand and she had to get stitches and he attacked both of her breasts. We recently got him neutered but he has not calmed down at all. He can be good sometimes and even affectionate-but his bad side is becoming too much he thinks he is the alpha dog. He had been to obedience class and will do sit and lie down commands, and when we run him in the woods he will come to a whistle- yet he does not understand "No bite" at all. He is the worst when he is at home, even after a lengthy exercise. He has been to a doggie psychiatrist but I think he was full of it because nothing has changed-he does okay walking on a head halter that's about all the Psychiatrist did... Please We want to Love and keep our Angus but we cannot live in fear that he will bite us or someone else! for any comments or advice e-mail Daisiechick@aol.com

Answer by Cee Cee
Submitted on 1/13/2004
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I'm sorry you and your pup are having such trouble. I'm the owner of a 7-month-old beardie girl who is a true joy. Lots of work, but very sweet. This breed isn't for everyone. Beardies are very intelligent, high energy, people dogs who do best with a lot of human contact. Because they are so smart, they will find something to do. If it isn't something positive, it will be something negative. If you want to help Angus become a polite family member, you will need to spend lots of time with him. He needs a lot of exercise every day. Does he play fetch? Teach him to run after a ball and bring it back so he does the running instead of you. Patricia McConnell's books on family dog training have nice instructions on teaching fetch. She has a show on National Public Radio, "Calling All Pets." Station listings and the books are on their web site at www.wpr.org/pets You will have to learn to be a really skilled dog handler who can help Angus learn by being consistent and positive. He has some bad habits, so it's going to take extra work. This is a lot like being the parent of a toddler or a rebellious teen. Here are some resources for you. There is a message board for Bearded Collie owners on the web at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BeardieList. They are incredibly helpful. If you have a Pets Mart store near you, sign up for their training classes (mostly for the people, but the dog goes too). Work with Angus every day and reward him big time for proper behavior. AKC obedience clubs are another source. It will take more than one class, and everyone in the family will need to be consistent in the way they deal with Angus. The biting is a very serious issue, but I've never known a beardie who was truly mean unless it had been mistreated. Angus may think people are chew toys. Whenever he nips, even a little, yelp loudly like a puppy and turn your back on him. That's dog language for "too rough, game ends." Avoid rough house and tug games. It can encourage aggression. Get connected to your nearest AKC regional Bearded Collie Club. If you decide you can't keep Angus, contact Beardie rescue by clicking on the rescue tab on the BCCA home page http://bcca.us Most reputable breeders will also take their dogs back and find new homes for them if necessary.

Answer by Kim Siemens
Submitted on 4/15/2004
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(LONG)Hi there, it is unfortunate that you are experiencing such a hard time with your pup. There is still hope for you to enjoy him if you take matters into your own hands NOW!! I am a professial dog trainer of 9 years and I own and compete in various dog sports with Bearded Collies as well as Border Collies. What you are experiencing is a dog that has taked over the leadership role. In order for you to gain back the respect and control of your dog you must teach him that you are the ONLY resource in his life. This means that he does not eat, sleep, play, ect. until you tell him too! This may sound harsh, but you will have a better relationship for it in the long run. You are on the right track with the head halter idea...I would recommend using a Gentle Leader though as they are more reliable. Leave this on your dog, fairly snug so he can't get it off himself, and don't take it off!! (even when he is crated, eating, ect.) This is a tool that gives you totall control over the dogs body. Hand feed your dog, do NOT give him a bowl of his own, he own'sNOTHING! Make him work for every piece of kibble by either making him sit, lay down, look at you, whatever. The only time he gets toys is when you are playing WITH him. He stays in his crate when you are not with him, even if he hates it. IGNORE HIM when he barks even if it means not sleeping for a week! REWARD him when he is quiet. Buy the book Ruff Love by Susan Garrett and PLEASE if you can't be consistant and train him now, give him to someone who can. It's better for everyone, it's the responsible thing to do. If he bites someone else it may mean he is put to sleep, my guess is that he doesn't deserve to die! Kim

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