should i be worried ?????

i just bought a 9 week old female border collie pup and she growls when anyone goes near her when she is eating and barks at people,is this her showing signs of aggression ???? also when she is playing she has bit someones leg and hands,what should i do when she does things like this ?? i had a collie about 8 years ago and he would go out and bite everyone so had to be pts and i really dont want this to happen again

she's only a puppy so it's probably play.
But ask around your area for a good dog training class and if she is properly trained it will reduce the risk of her being bitey.
Also when she nips at you either squeal to let he realise you're in pain and also say no firmly so she associates that this behavoir is not acceptable.

natsusakura said:

she's only a puppy so it's probably play.
But ask around your area for a good dog training class and if she is properly trained it will reduce the risk of her being bitey.
Also when she nips at you either squeal to let he realise you're in pain and also say no firmly so she associates that this behavoir is not acceptable.

Click to expand...

This.
Also, border collies are working dogs, needing lots of exercise and stimulation.

See if you can find episodes of Its Me or the Dog! That woman is amazing with dogs and she teachers owners on how to train and stop bad habbits. Think i rememer one on eating and she was pretending to eat out the bowl before giving it to the dog as the alfa dogs always eat first and may put him in his place if it is aggression.

Even if it's just play, definitely conquer signs of aggression now while she is still young. 9 weeks is very young to be showing signs of food aggression already. I agree about finding a good puppy class, they're really important for socialising and early training. Also being the leader of the pack is iportant, especially with clever dogs! Always make a point of eating before you feed her, and when she is eating you can try putting something really delicious in her bowl like a piece of chicken so she will get used to your hands being in the bowl when she eats. Also stroking the back of her neck when she eats (weak spot)

I really recommend 'the perfect puppy' by gwen bailey, we read it when we got our first dog and it's very helpful. Its all reward based methods and how to be the leader by earning respect, rather than by force.

Good luck! ...and pictures?

ETA we squeal and turn away and ignore play bites and it's amazing how quickly they stop doing it :thumb:

thanks,how should i 'discipline' her when she nips.I am sure it is just a playful way but dont want it to stay as she gets older.The food aggression i can deal with and try to stop, i will just go to her when she eats-i think you should be able to go near and touch dogs when they are eating and they should not growl,bite,bark (i will just hand feed her for a while first) and use food as a treat.i bought her from the livery yard i keep my horse at,the mum and dad are both working dogs and the pups were all kept in the same kennel in a barn with one big food bowl,so im guessing they did have to kind of fight for their food.she isnt nervous around people at all she is really hyper and affectionate,and scared of squeaky toys lol i have an agility course in my back garden for my other dog so will teach her as well,but what other kind of things can i do with her,especially as she cant go out for 5 weeks,she had her 1st vaccination today.i will add pictures tomorrow

mariebx2010 said:

thanks,how should i 'discipline' her when she nips.I am sure it is just a playful way but dont want it to stay as she gets older.The food aggression i can deal with and try to stop, i will just go to her when she eats-i think you should be able to go near and touch dogs when they are eating and they should not growl,bite,bark (i will just hand feed her for a while first) and use food as a treat.i bought her from the livery yard i keep my horse at,the mum and dad are both working dogs and the pups were all kept in the same kennel in a barn with one big food bowl,so im guessing they did have to kind of fight for their food.she isnt nervous around people at all she is really hyper and affectionate,and scared of squeaky toys lol i have an agility course in my back garden for my other dog so will teach her as well,but what other kind of things can i do with her,especially as she cant go out for 5 weeks,she had her 1st vaccination today.i will add pictures tomorrow

Click to expand...

like others have already said squeal and say no when she nips.


Also after she is able to go out start taking her to puppy training classes these will help a lot.

squeling doesnt work but i use a squeky ball and that seems to work anyway.THIS IS HER-THE ONE ON THE LEFT.THE OTHER ONE IS MY SISTERS,FROM THE SAME BREEDER BUT 1 WEEK OLDER.SHE DOESNT HAVE A NAME YET-IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS,PLEASE LET ME KNOW.I WAS THINKING OF JESS,WILLOW OR MAIZIE

Oh - she is just gorgeous . Am so envious...what a beauty.

When we were training our GSD's it was a mixture of discipline and reward - but we didn't use food as reward. If she bites you and it hurts - I would say 'no' in a deep, growly voice - almost as though you are a dog growling at her. As soon as she stops - then lots of praise and affection. She will learn the difference in your tone of voice very quickly. My sister had a rebellious Norfolk Terrier who did what she wants - but using this method, she has become a charming little girl.

There is no reason why you cannot start the basic training with her now - things like sit, heel, down and stay. Just very short sessions - 5 minutes prehaps - but it will help her learn that you're the boss. Same method - firm voice when giving commands, and then lots of praise and affection when she gets it right.

Fellie said:

Oh - she is just gorgeous . Am so envious...what a beauty.

When we were training our GSD's it was a mixture of discipline and reward - but we didn't use food as reward. If she bites you and it hurts - I would say 'no' in a deep, growly voice - almost as though you are a dog growling at her. As soon as she stops - then lots of praise and affection. She will learn the difference in your tone of voice very quickly. My sister had a rebellious Norfolk Terrier who did what she wants - but using this method, she has become a charming little girl.

There is no reason why you cannot start the basic training with her now - things like sit, heel, down and stay. Just very short sessions - 5 minutes prehaps - but it will help her learn that you're the boss. Same method - firm voice when giving commands, and then lots of praise and affection when she gets it right.

Click to expand...

thank you thank you so much for the advice i will definately try this way.Yeah i have been teaching her sit (with biscuits as a treat) and she is loving it,and seems to be catching on pretty quick.At first i had to hold the treat above her and say sit and now i can hold it in front of her and say sit.I have only done it for about 5 minutes in total

I don't have any suggestions but wanted to say she's beautfiul.
I have a special place in my heart for border collies!

Charlotte_Jordanna said:

I don't have any suggestions but wanted to say she's beautfiul.
I have a special place in my heart for border collies!

Click to expand...

aww thank you now i just have to find a name ?? any ideas ??

no she shouldn't growl when she's eating at that young age, i would make her sit and wait put the food down then give her a command to eat ...collies are quick learners thats why they get bored easily and behaviour problems start.

get her to puppy classes asap ....i would'nt let her on the sofa either ....

apart from all that shes blimming gorgeous!

Kiera or Tara is a nice name

Two border collies?! Throwing yourself in the deep end a bit aren't you :lol: I hope you like walking and running! A friend of mine's collies get 4 hours exercise a day, at least an hour of that running with her dad or brother and most of the rest off-lead, and they STILL bounce off the walls (and eat a fair bit of the walls and wallpaper too :lol: ) Agility or similar is meant to be good for dogs that need a lot of mental and physical stimulation.

I think you need to read up on puppy-training asap, as you want to stop things like food aggression asap. The problem is there are so many different theories and practices out there....

Please see;

http://youtu.be/xjpP5EZC7HI

mariebx2010 said:

aww thank you now i just have to find a name ?? any ideas ??

Click to expand...

Mitsy, because its a bit like a shortened version of mittens. :lol:
Tilly, willow is nice too, felicity.

PLEASE don't start using this dominance crud on your puppy....your dog is NOT a wolf, that is like saying we are chimps. Its just not that simple! Its YOUR sofa so YOU choose if you want your dog on it or not but whatever you decide, be consistant!

Research dog clubs, one that uses positive and MODERN approaches to dog coaching, as well as other sports that collies excel at; flyball and agility for one.

I also recommend looking on youtube - I cannot recommend Kikopup enough. Check it out.

And on that note.....my dogs just farted. Eew!

If the breeder has had more than one litter of pups at a time the chances are the pups will have had to fight, growl or hold their own for food. Thats all the pup is carrying on doing. With time, training and patience she will soon learn that its not necessary to growl for food. Personally I would consider free feeding the kibble (even for a short time) just so that she realises food will always be available.

As Teflonshadow said please only use positive training techniques with pup. Theres plenty of good puppy classes available once she is vaccinated. In the meantime research puppy training. When she mouths (which is how she has played with her siblings until now and all she is doing with you), squeal (as a pup does when the play gets too rough) fold your arms and turn your back on her, if that doesn't work put her in her puppy pen for time out and then she can come back out when shes calm again. She will soon learn not to do it but just be consistent. If you squeak a ball she will learn that everytime she bites you a ball comes out which is not going to work in the long run.

she is getting better with food,i hand feed her sometimes and she can be clappd while eating and stay calm.i still have to wait 5 weeks before i can put her into puppy training classes,will do agility when she is a good size and age (i made one in my back garden) i also have a 4 yo tibetan terrier x bearded collie who loves agility and they are both allowed on the couch when i say.my 4 yo will wait and look at you until everyone on the couch says up (but she actually waits until everyone says up soo cute) she also does agility and loves it.i was thinking of tara but ones i was thinkink of today are willow and indie.the pup lying down (biting my ones ankle lol) is my sisters pup (he is one week older) and only living with me temporarily i have a cat called tilly lol and love willow.i will have a look at the links later,thanks yeah they did only have one bowl of biscuits they all had to share so that will be why but she is getting better already unless the other pup goes to her,but the other pup (my sisters) actually eats poo,he is very timid so probably got bullied away from the food.yeah i will try squeling and turning away.thank you for all the advise