Hi everyone,

Just looking for some advice about my year old pup who is a collie mix. I work from home and my boyfriend works away for a few weeks at a time. He is currently away and my dog has been very bold since, culminating in a horrible fight with a jogger today. Normally she doesn't bother chasing them and I make sure to have a few balls and treats with me just in case. However, this guy was aggressive towards her as soon as he saw her and she started to follow him as he ran. He lashed out at her, was shouting at her and me and made to hit her with a stick. Obviously she could hear the panic in my voice as I called her so she thought she was protecting me. Cue incredibly unpleasant shouting match. In  the year I have had her I have never ever had such a problem. I absolute understand that dogs can be a nuisance to joggers and would have apologized except this guy brought it one himself. Ive decided to get a trainer in when my boyf gets home in a few weeks, Im at a loss what to do with her until he get's home. I think keeping her on the lead for now is the best thing but Im wondering what to do at home to reassert some authority over her? She gets two walks a day, has 'dog friends' where we walk and company most of the time, so I don't think it is boredom

No its not boredom, she is doing what Collies are bred for chasing and herding!!

Sorry, but have to disagree the bloke did not bring it on himself, no he did not need to be so aggressive, but you cant blame him either.

I think a good trainign class is called for, and until you have complete control , make sure she goes on the lead as soon as you get a sniff of a moving object (jogger) in future, for her protection if nothing else..as  she could be seen as  a dangerous dog, if the jogger took action.

Did she bite him, by the way!!

I had a run in with a jogger too..(sorry)... he ran right up behind me passing with in a few inches , under an under pass!!!... sorry he got an elbow in his ribs before I realised I was not about to get mugged !!Dogs were not with me  they would have seen him as a threat with out doubt!!

When I ran I always gave people a wide berth and would never have run up behind some one especially in a vunerable or lonely place.. I and most the runners I know would always shout some thing ie"runner coming through" or such like.

Sorry slightly off topic but wanted a rant...

I do a lot of road walking so we meet quite a few joggers (mainly police officers from police training school) so I am very aware of them running up behind me most shout thanks as I hold my dogs close as they pass.
I have bearded collies who would have a tendancy to chase if wound up , I start from a very young age to encourage them to obsess over a ball so that if  need to I can distract from any situation when off lead.

A good training school would be your best option one that also does agility when he is slightly older, he was born to work so you must encourage this to have a happy fulfilled collie or he will begin to focus this energies on other things.

I know of a shepherdess who would love to test your collie and if he has the working gene you can learn to work him with sheep. if you want the info let me know (she is in Yorkshire) the earlier in age the better.

Roni

I've never had problems with joggers. Cyclists however,are the bane of my existence Some of them get a thrill in racing up behind you and scaring the life out of you,and then have the nerve to have a go at not getting the dogs out the way quick enough!!

I think to re-assert yourself here it may be a good idea to start with clicker training, you can get books on it with a clicker in most pet shops now, it is easy and simple for both dog and human to pick up so I would get started on that along with praise and reward training, it also stops in situations like this the dog hearing the fear, panic and worry in your voice and interpreting it's own response, if you use a clicker or a whistle it has only one meaning and one command, no thinking on the dogs part, it will just do as it is being asked.

Personally I would not have your dog on lead now, or if you do get a looooong training line, plenty on ebay, allow free run and play still. I would just be extremely vigilant keep looking both ways we very often spot joggers, cyclists etc well before a dog does as they generally have their noses to the ground, or if playing ball drop the ball next to yourself to have her come to you, so that you can grab her in time, so recall immediately if you spot them and lead her before they approach, just don't trust her not to chase.

Well, thanks everyone for your advice. Looking into some classes and will be keeping her on the lead until then. Im also going to walk her in a few different places, new situations might be good for her. Had a good look over the forums last night, lots of good advice about reasserting my authority over her which Im going to try. Defin going to get a dog whistle as well. Its a combination of a few things; her breed as she is a collie/gun dog mix and her age.I find it weird that alot of people mention joggers or walkers calling out as they pass; Ive been walking her for a year in the same park and not once has anyone ever done that, so some people run really fast!. And no, she didn't bite him! Once he decided to stop running up the pitch away from me as I was clearly trying to catch her, I caught her. He only stopped running to pick up a stick to hit her so I hate to think what would have happened then.

maybe he had a fear of dogs but thats no excuse

I walk my collie where there are lots of runners and cyclists and often grass cutting vehicles too.  I always scan the field as I walk and anticipate any clashes.  As a runner approaches I normally give a wider berth and distract her with a game - BEFORE she gets her eye in and wants to chase.  Once they have clocked that moving obstacle they are not so easy to distract unless you have good control.  If we get caught at a narrower section then I say leave in a voice clear enough for the runner to hear and warn that I have a possible chaser.  9 times out of 10 she will leave the runner alone.  As for vehicles - if it is coming my way I do a quick turn around and run the other direction calling her to stop focussing on the vehicle - then clip her on the lead.  There was a good link here somewhere if I can find it. 

That was part of it. I grew up with dogs and I didn't realize until I got my own dog just how much people dont like dogs and also dont know how to act around dogs. I never understood why shouting at a strange dog, who until you did was completely not interested in you is a good strategy. I especially hate to see kids at it. That said, yesterday is part of an ongoing problem with her; Ive now been spurred into action to sort it. Its easy to blame the jogger, and I do to an extent, but I didnt know how to handle the situation.

http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk/how-do-i-stop-my-dog-chasing/

This I think was the original article that was posted on here - I see now that the author has actually put together a book on the subject of chasing too. 

" maybe he had a fear of dogs but thats no excuse "

Actually, I think it's a perfectly good excuse. In his shoes, if there was a choice between potentially being bitten and defending myself, I know what I'd do. And I'm a dog owner.

He should not have been placed in this situation.

This is quite different from some yobs having a go at a dog without provocation.

You are right Lab 007 and it wont be happening again. It is important to respect non-dog people, especially to retain access to an amenity such as my local park.

I've had border collies all my life, and yes they are a herding dog, but that doesn't mean they have to chase.  Most dogs will chase given the opportunity, so you have to train against it.  Firstly it sounds as though you need to do some re-training if her behaviour changes when your partner is away, sounds as though she sees herself as your protector - should be other way round!
Can you get some friends to help you?  You need to decide what you want your dog to do when joggers approach, mine (I've 4) go into a down stay (we always get an "ooh, what well behaved dogs" ) - it's a pain, specially if going along a cycle track, but it saves anyone getting accidentally knocked over and people genuinely appreciate it if they can see you are being considerate.  You could train her to come to your side, to do a sit, whatever you decide, start working with her on lead.  Get friends to run past, put in whatever command you choose, and offer lots of praise and reward her when she does what you want.  Clicker training would be great, but if you don't already use it you need to be quite competent with it first (not everyone finds it easy ... I can list at least 3 experienced dog handlers who just cannot get along with it and are completely useless with the timing of the click!!).  I wouldn't panic too much, but it does need sorting, and in the meantime I would keep her on a lead until you've got it sorted.  Good luck.

The runner may just have been having a bad day.   I run and normally ignore dogs that run after me as you can tell they aren't aggressive - but I do admit to having a go at a woman with a german shepherd that approached me in an aggressive manner.    Afterwards I did think perhaps I'd gone a bit too far but it was her total lack of concern that really sparked me off - if she'd looked like she was trying to do something to get it on a lead I'd have been more understanding.   

For example I was nipped by a Sheltie the other week whilst I was running - the lady was very apologetic but it was just a herding type nip not a full on bite and I told her not to worry but that she should be careful as some non doggy people might be a lot more upset and if it was a child especially the dog could be in trouble.

The dog secrets site is probably the best on the net for chasing advice

Also, ensure you do fun training with your dog working for a toy or food rewards quite a lot on your walks, so that she is used to responding to you out and about, as well as in the home.

If in doubt, make sure your recall is excellent if nothing else, and pop her back on the lead with a reward, if you see a jogger in the distance.
Keep your eyes open always!

If you are in the US, (guess you may be, as you use the word "mix"?) be careful who you get to train your dog - avoid trainers who use force, ecollars, dominance ideas etc. You simply need a good trainer who knows what they are doing If you're in the UK, try www.apdt.co.uk for someone near to you.

Lindsay
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