Zeek the Border Collie

I received an email from Dave and Sue in Brierley Hill who wanted some guidance with Zeek their Border Collie.

We have a rescue dog, a Border Collie, he is 18 months old. Zeek is so good and obedient in the home but on the lead he is a nightmare towards other dogs. He loves to play, but won't come back when called, and today he attacked a puppy who invaded his space. Earlier on his morning walk he was fine with two adult dogs and not aggressive at all, in fact was playing with them, off the lead! We have had Zeek for 2 weeks (since start of Aug) after he had been at the rescue centre for 3 weeks. He had previously been with a young family. When we had him he would sit and shake a paw. He is lovely in the house, doesn't go  upstairs. He is much better on the lead now. Do you think we are expecting too much too soon? He is a gorgeous dog, but I am a nervous wreck when we go out. I need a stiff drink when I come back.

I showed several ways of stopping a dog jumping up, and Zeek seemed to understand pretty quickly. He is a bright dog as are all Collies. We did some leash work outside and he was walking to heel inside 5 minutes. We all had a turn and I suggested a few things that needed fine tuning for the handlers. Practice for 10-15 minutes 2 or 3 times a day and within a week he will be great, and so will you.
He lunged and barked at the neighbours dogs so I could see he was a handful, but after introducing Pip and showing the owners how dogs communicate mostly by their body language, I demonstrated how the barking and lunging is their last resort, they have a silent conversation long before that. I explained about the safe distance and how our human world has propelled strange dogs into close proximity resulting in severe warning behaviour, lunging, growling, snapping etc. After several corrections Zeek started to trust his handlers more, displayed avoidance and calmed down.

We then moved onto the recall and did some good work. I explained about how dogs detect movement at a distance and how we must be far more exciting than other things on the park to get him to recall.

---

   Ade visited us the day before our holiday to sort out our Border Collie, Zeek. He had problems with aggression to  other dogs while on the lead, which Ade saw on the day. Ade spent 2 hrs with Zeek and us, gave us and Zeek some great training! At the end of the session he was walking on the lead much better, responding to commands. During our holiday we encountered many dogs and at first Zeek was a nightmare, but by the end of the week, using Ade's techniques, we all became quite blasé! Another dog? So what! Since we have returned the good behaviour continues! The building blocks worked Ade! He no longer runs off expecting to play when we unleash him, he walks properly investigating as dogs do, but responds quickly when we remind him. He still loves to play with his ball, but when we are ready, then he has a good workout for 20-30 mins running and fetching!  He now stays until we call him, still a bit rubbish at finding the ball in the long grass, but improving. he is a pleasure to be with. Thank you Ade for your help.

---

Hi Ade, just thought we would update you on Zeek. He is such a good boy and we are learning new things about each other everyday! The picture of Zeek was taken in the nature reserve near us, he absolutely loves the snow! He can now walk to heel off the lead, and takes other dogs in his stride. He is so good in the house and takes himself off to bed! He can be mischievous at times, like eating Dave's Rennies when we left the bedroom door open but I like that in a dog, a bit of character! After your visit with the advice about his aggression to other dogs, he is a pleasure to take out for a walk, will run free but come when called, as you can see we love him to bits! He loves people especially my youngest grandchildren, Leo and Lois.  Glad you have settled in to your new house, we hope you will be very happy there. love Sue and Dave March 2011

---

From Marie near Chesterfield.
Rusty is a 10 year old Jack Russell/Yorkie cross who I have had for about 8 years. I got her from a man in my local village who no longer wanted her. She has always been aggressive towards other dogs. About 8 months ago I got Jake, a 10 week old Jack Russell pup who came into the household thinking he was the "bees knees". Rusty had other ideas. She constantly attacked him especially when I was present and her aggression towards other dogs became worse.
That's when I decided to contact the dog whisperer. Ade came to my house one Saturday morning and immediately impressed me with his calm nature. He assessed my dogs, asked me a few questions and took some notes.
We then took Rusty outside to meet Pip. Rusty was not impressed and immediately tried to attack Pip and also the neighbours three dogs that were on her yard. Ade showed me how to take control of Rusty and the situation and within 45 minutes, had Rusty sitting next to the gate with the neighbour's dogs just the other side. Perfectly calm and well behaved. It was frankly unbelievable as I had been trying various things for the past 8 years to calm her down!

Rusty below, Jake on the right. Don't you think he looks like he's spoiling for a fight? Come on, if you think you're hard enough!

  Tinchy the biting Border Terrier

Email from Katie: Story so far...
           We originally called Ade because our 7 month puppy would not stop biting anyone and anything. He always nipped from day one but it gradually got worse and the nipping turned into a hard bite that he sometimes wouldn't release. We spoke to a number of dog trainers and other dog owners about how we could stop this but everything we tried just made Tinchy worse. After nearly 5 months of being bitten at least once a day we decided enough was enough and we called Ade. We also wanted to be able to let Tinchy off his lead whilst out walking but because he is very nosey and wants to meet everyone he passes (especially other dogs) this always seemed impossible.

Keep up the recall work. The more dogs that Tinchy meets the better as he will improve with age and persistent training. Ade

Estelle and Mike contacted me as they were having trouble with their two Cocker Spaniels, DILLON 2 ½ (left) and JARVIS 11 ½ (below). Both dogs are neutered. They also have a 20 month old daughter named Daisy, who is starting to take an interest in everything!     Estelle very efficiently presented me with a list of behaviours which needed attention.
Dillon attacks Jarvis when food is about, finishes his own and then goes for the other bowl. He also attacks when people come to the door and when Jarvis is getting attention from Estelle. He fouls and pees in house, barks in the early morning and in the middle of the night. He barks when alone, barks at the window, and constantly pesters Jarvis, which makes Jarvis bark. He is possessive with Estelle if Jarvis approaches and growls and/or attacks.
This has resulted in about 6 fights, one requiring stitches. He pulls on the leash and gets car sick. He is frightened of the car, and drools before the car starts moving. He shakes and is sick and cowers down.

Jarvis barks at the door which can instigate a Dillon attack. He barks at the window and is on high alert most of the time watching out for intruders. He pulls on the leash and is able to open doors which is why they have a baby gate. He retains the ball,  and won't give it up unless for a treat, he stalks about in front of Dillon and cocks his leg. Phew!

We spent the whole morning working through the list and came up with a short and long term plan for order in the house, good manners in and out of the house and some rules to be made for the dogs when Daisy is around. We were able to cure some behaviours that morning, and Mike and Estelle have to fit even more work into their already busy lives.

A week later I called to see how they were getting on. I was pleased to hear that the dogs have really calmed down, they are walking next to the stroller now and there has been no fighting since my visit. A great result so far. May 2010

Diane and Mike from Worcester called to enquire if I could visit their family in Worcester. They not only have two sons living at home, but three cats and three dogs!

Jake is a Collie cross aged 5 (pictured right giving me a wary look). He pulls really hard on the leash, lunges at other dogs and is food aggressive, growling and snapping if anyone goes near his bowl. They have a puppy and also Meg, (below left) a Collie cross and a puller and although they get walked twice a day, Diane and Mike arms are getting tired of the constant battle on the way to the park. They have tried all sorts of leads to no effect.

When I arrived the dogs were very boisterous and excited and were jumping up at me. I demonstrated several ways to cure jumping and other techniques to calm the dogs down when visitors arrive.

I introduced my dog Pip to them outside and Jake displayed classic signs of nervous aggressive dog behaviour. Because he doesn't get to meet many dogs, he is initially friendly but is not sure how to proceed. After I corrected him he displayed avoidance, hiding behind Diane and facing away from Pip and me. We went out and did some leash work, and soon the dogs were starting to respond to Mike and Diane. Back at the house I could see the food aggression in Jake and suggested several ways to overcome this. Within minutes Jake was eating out of Diane's hand. He still has a way to go and a lot of persistent work from Mike and Diane but I think they will do well.

By email one month later:
Hi Ade. I just want to thank you for your help with Jake and Meg, Mike and I feel that we have got control back.  I have been to various dog training classes and not one of them has explained the necessity to become a Pack Leader which is ultimately the key to it all.   You have given us the tools to enable us both to become Pack Leaders and this will also help with Alfie's training too.
Unfortunately at the weekend Jake has had an accident, whilst running for his ball on the field he has broken his crucial ligament in his back leg.  The vet at this stage has confined him to the house and garden and wants him to rest it for 6 weeks and then he will reassess the situation and decide whether to operate.  He has warned me that this injury will not take weeks but months.  I am not sure the best way forward whether we should consider an operation now or wait, it has all been a bit of a shock and just when we were doing so well with him.
Many thanks   Kind regards   Diane and Mike 

 Sorry to hear of Jake's accident, I hope he fully recovers, I am pleased to welcome you as our newest Pack Leaders. Ade.

Caernarfon Crisis.

Fighting dogs prompted a call from Kerry and her mum Sue from a little village overlooking Caernarfon in Wales. Kerry has a dog called Sylvia, and Sue has dogs called Dotyn and Shady. A recent addition to the family has been Mitsy, a stray terrier who in the past three months has caused havoc in the household, including biting postmen, killing chickens and full-on fighting with Dotyn.

When I arrived at the house I was greeted by 3 barking dogs and a list of things to cure.

1.Barking at passing traffic
2.Mitsy and Dotyn biting delivery men and postmen.
3.Shady guarding things and going for humans.
4.Shady growling and miserable the whole time Mitsy is around, growling at babies and children.
5.Dotyn hiding behind the chair every time the lounge door opens.
6.Dotyn shivering and scared of everything.
7.Both small dogs gathering around the feet through the day.
8.Mitsy peeing and pooping in the house.
9.Mitsy aggressive and going for everyone and everything.

Dotyn	Mitsy - u lookin at me?	Shady	Sylvia

Obi the man-hating Labradoodle.

Rowena called me from Belper hoping I would be able to help with Obi the Labradoodle. He is aged 2, neutered and seems to be OK with ladies but barks at men. He jumps up, gets very excited and protective, steals food from the worktops when he is left alone and on visits to the vet he won't allow them to touch him, he backs off, growling and on his last visit he pooped on the vet's floor. He barks at their neighbour and friend Stewart who would like to be friends with Obi.

I thoroughly examined him from toes to teeth as a vet would and he seemed quite calm about it, much to the family's amazement, so I suggested some measures to take before his next visit.
We then went outside to meet their neighbour Stewart. I corrected Obi when he started to bark at Stewart, and showed R&J how to introduce Obi to new people. Within minutes Obi was walking between me and Stewart, and within 10 minutes Obi was being walked by Stewart on his own. The family now have some of the skills for a happy, family friendly dog.

Good work. You have the tools to make everything right again. Follow through with the techniques and you will be great Pack Leaders! The pictures are great. Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth!

Jackie, Chris, Rob and Alvin the devil dog!

January 2010 and Jackie from Derby rang to ask for help with Alvin, her 12 month old cross from a rescue centre. She has had him for 4 months and her son Rob has never been able to approach him. He barks and growls at him and also at other visitors and hides behind the furniture.
I arrived and sure enough got the same greeting from Alvin, growling, barking, staring. After an hour and a half I invited Rob into the room under strict supervision and within 10 minutes he was feeding Alvin by hand. I think Rob and Alvin are going to be best buddies.
The pictures speak for themselves, this was the first time that Rob had touched Alvin in the four months that Alvin had been in the house.
The whole family were pleased, they still have to follow some rules that I laid down, but the smile on Rob's face says it all! Alvin will be happier too, he no longer has to be aggressive, he can relax and get some Luurrv!

 Ade says :I shall bear my scar with pride, it wasn't his fault, I moved too quickly and he defended. Simplz!

Toby the Terrible!

 E-mail received:
Hi Ade Thanx for all you have done for Benji we are still amazed!
Have not yet come across any other dogs on our walks yet but we have the new collar on him, Looking forward to Monday at 6-00pm. We still can't believe just what you and Pip achieved on Friday. Rob and Sue S

Pip is my 8 year old Border Collie who helps me in assessing the nature of a dog. Benji was a dog with dog aggression, lunging and growling at other dogs, and snapping at a new puppy visiting the house.
During the second session we became a pack of 7, 4 adults and 3 dogs, Benji, Pip and Ruben the puppy. Each adult walked the 3 dogs all together under supervision. They all behaved well, no fighting or snapping.

 DOG KILLED ON TV PROGRAMME.

I have been contacted by several people who were upset at an episode of "It's me or the dog" on TV, where a simple case of food aggression escalated into the couple's children getting bitten by their beautiful black spaniels. The treatment consisted of getting the dogs to sit on a mat and feeding them chicken, and calling it positive reinforcement. This resulted in a child getting bitten 4 times and going to hospital, the dog's owner was advised by mobile phone to have his dog put down, and the distraught and weeping owner being filmed as he buried his dog's body in the garden.

Do NOT use this technique with this severity of food aggression.

  If you know of anyone in the same situation they should find someone who knows how a pack of dogs works, and how to keep children safe.

This dog could and should have been rehabilitated, it is not difficult if you follow the correct procedures. You can create a protective bubble around your children and teach them how to command the dogs as soon as possible.

On another programme advice was given as to what one should do if attacked by a dog. Viewers were advised to curl up on the floor on their hands and knees and cover their head with their arms.

Do not EVER do this. It is just not common sense if you think about it. You are lowering your vulnerable face, neck and hands to the height of a dog's teeth and could suffer horrific injuries. If the dog bites the jugular vein in your neck you will probably die. It is hard to imagine more dangerous advice than this.