Hi, I am desperate for some advise. Three years ago at the Amish auction,we got a border collie-- the best dog we have ever had, and we've had many. Last year we purchased a registered male to breed this perfect female with. The male has some impressive bloodlines. We have worked with him, prayed over him, and everything else, and he is the most aggressive dog I have ever seen toward my livestock. In the past 2 days he has gone even worse. The electric fence does not stop him, he just now tryed to bite me when I tryed to catch him from running my pregant does. He's strong, and had my clothes not been layered due to some chilly a.m. temps--I might not be typing now. What can be done? Could he have been overbred? I hate to put him down, but I am not one to pass my mistakes on to someone else.

-- Sandy in KY (Sparky526@msn.com), March 14, 2002

Answers

I'm gonna email you privately, Sandy. I've got lots of BC's.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), March 14, 2002.

You mentioned that you have "worked with him" but has he actually been trained to work stock? If so a good down command or get out would have taken him off the does. If he hasn't been trained to work stock he should not be anywhere near them as he will respond with only instinct, which causes many problems. (As you may have found out.)

Contact the dog's breeder. How aggressive are the parents? If they are fine then you have a training problem and the breeder (if reputable) should help with the training or refer you to a trainer in your area.

If the breeder doesn't help, you may try www.bordercollie.org for more information.

Just a side note. We have raised Border Collies since 1988. We needed a more "aggressive" type of dog to work our goats and horses (any dog seems capable of moving our sheep!) The breeder we started with brought several dogs to try on our goats and only one worked strong enough. This was our first male. So while our dogs are sometimes labled "aggressive" none would consider biting us.

By the way, is this an AKC or ABCA reg dog?

-- Scotsirish (notreal@anywhere.net), March 14, 2002.

Sandy, Did you work with the male as a pup, or did you get him as an adult? If he is aggressive towards you after you have trained him from the start, I would guess that it is in his breeding. If you got him as an adult, it could be either the breeding or bad training. Two of my dogs are aggessive enough to work cattle, horses and hogs, but they wouldn't hurt a fly. I know some people wont approve, but I would use a shock collar. I've never used one on my dogs, but I would as a last resort. Sounds like your dog needs some attention, fast, before you or someone else gets hurt. Hope it works out for you! Best wishes!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.

I used a shock collar on my chow mix who was a problem, when used CORRECTLY a shock collar is a very effective training tool.

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.

Depending on how you handled the bite will prodict how he will act in the future.I would not trust him with stock or children.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.

Find an experienced Border Collie trainer and have him/her work with you and the dog. The dog has apparently determined that you are not "top dog" and is reacting accordingly. He will continue to do so until you both get some training. Not everyone can handle an aggressive Border Collie and it may be that you will have to get rid of him. I would not use a shock collar on him as it will likely ruin him. Shock collars are for dogs of a lower level of intelligence.

-- Mac in AK (nospam@aol.com), March 14, 2002.

Check out www.dogwhisper.com , [my husband is starting to get a clue with Jacob]I have bought the books and video, it's exactly what we needed.

-- Thumper/inOKC (slrldr@yahoo.com), March 14, 2002.