I need to rehome don't I.....

[letsallcountsheep]

I have a 7 month old Collie cross. She is lovely, well trained and full of energy.

She came into season about 3 weeks ago, the temperament has changed a little, she's become a little possessive over me and food

2 incidents worry me, when my daughter and I were stroking her my daughter leaned in to give her a peck on the cheek and she nipped her nose, she sometimes gets over excited giving kisses but it scared me enough to pull her away and smack on her nose to stop her. The second happened this morning, I was making my dogs lick mat, I was walking to the freezer to set it and my cat(12) walked across my path, my dog snapped and went for her, she didn't actually get my cat as she ran away. I locked my dog in the kitchen while I checked my cat.

I have a dog walker while I work part time in an office. So she's not home alone all day, she says both incidents are completely out of character and could be because she is in season but I don't think I can relax with her now.

I mentioned we might have to rehome her to my daughter and she was heartbroken as am I, I tried to explain it to her but she's SN and 7 loves our puppy to bits. 😢

WWYD rehome now or see how she is after her season has finished. I will be getting her spayed so no more seasons after this

Your head seemed to go very quick to the rehoming option. Have you not considered managing your child’s behaviour better around the dog? And obtaining some basic information on dog’s behaviour regarding to their breed and during their development? Your dog is still very young and you need to keep abreast of her developmental needs as she goes through puppyhood and puberty. You sound quite blasé and a bit useless, do you give up on everything in life at the slightest thing that doesn’t go to plan?

visualfeast Thanks but not on facebook 😊

If you visit their website (which I linked to) the guides are all there and completely free to read. You can also buy them in a printed book version if that is easier

this is where it would be really great to hide posts!
as long as you can see the helpful comments in amongst the bashing

Pancakeorcrepe Not at all, just trying to ignore the vipers and find some actual advice/help with a situation I haven't had with my previous dogs.

OP, haven't had time to read all the responses but there's one thing you need to understand — and that is that most dogs, of all breeds, experience a human face close up and staring at them, and coming at them to kiss or nibble them, as a threat.

No adult or child should ever go in on a dog like that. The only time my sweet, gentle Border terrier ever came close to biting anyone was when a guest had him on his back on the sofa and then lowered her head to rub noses with him. He growled at her and then, when she persisted, head-butted her and ran away to hide. He was trembling when I found him. She couldn't understand that she was the one who had threatened and terrified him. 'I only wanted to rub noses...'

You always let the dog approach you and get close on its terms.

visualfeast Thanks

i was bitten on the face by a dog when a child after i went to kiss it, still have two little teeth marks

These are all the guides – there is a guide for puppies, for resource guarding, for multi-pet families, for dogs and children... It would be a very good place to start. I found them to be invaluable when we got our puppy.

I am not going to rehome atm, I was hoping and in a round about way some of you have confirmed this behaviour is due to her being in season.

No, it's due to your daughter getting in the dogs face and her not liking it. But you're not willing to admit that are you. Your daughter needs talking to. The dog has done nothing wrong.

sorry - image didn't post in my last message! I really can't recommend this group enough for force free training advice.

Collies don't want to be kissed they are not that kind of dog. Teach your child not to put her face near her and give her space. If you respect the collie she will be absolutely fine for goodness sake.

Starlight1979 I think I have actually said I am working on this with my daughter.

Shockingly when we got out first dog {RSPCA} the advice even from them was ''tap with a rolled up newspaper'' if the dog ''did anything wrong'' - but that was in the bad old days of choke chains {I was told to buy one specifically for dog's first training class}

The first training class was the last, full of completely wild and naughty adult dogs - no puppy classes back then!

The choke chain went in the bin, and I trained her myself, using Rodger Mugford's books {No hitting or chain collars}

Internet wasn't around then. Such a willing and biddable dog...We were very lucky.

What is she crossed with?

Dogs have boundaries too. They need to be respected.

and…desex your dog…like a good owner.

The Dogs trust website has lots of training videos, also an online workshop for families with children age 7-12 years.
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/how-we-help/ownership/free-family-workshops

If you respect her space and make sure she has plenty of off lead running a collie will be fine

Abi86 huh?

user68712226 - mum collie, dad Lab x Beagle mix

OP is getting the dog spayed, but one cannot spay a female dog during a season, and one has to wait about 12 weeks after that for it to be safe. {Less bleeding and post surgery risks}

ineedtogwtoutbeforeitatoohot ❤

Please don't follow the methods advocated by Southend Dog Training (recommended above) - they are renowned for using aversive methods, including prong collars and shock collars, to the point where they were kicked out of Crufts this year: www.echo-news.co.uk/news/24189217.southend-dog-trainer-removed-crufts-shock-collars/

Collies are a very sensitive breed and need positive, reward-based training. Aversives (including 'taps') will be a disaster for her and will turn her into a hand-shy nervous wreck. Look for a trainer who is affiliated with the https://apdt.co.uk/ - they only use kind, positive training.

oakleaffy Thanks, didn't want to repeat that again

Good. It used to be common practice decades ago but we now know that aggression just teaches reciprocal aggression in animals. I removed my dog from her (seemingly very lovely) small daycare when I saw another dog being tapped/lightly smacked on the bottom there.

She sounds like a lovely dog. I personally wouldn't have a collie or collie cross around young children, but it's difficult when you already have the dog, love it and the dog is bonded to you. They're amazing dogs but just too unpredictable and demanding by nature to be ideal children's dogs. I'd never let a child kiss any dog, especially on the face or near any other vulnerable areas (tummy, neck and so on).

In your situation I'd educate myself on collies, on their needs/ideal living situations and learn a lot about dog 'language'. I'd also find a good trainer who exclusively uses positive training methods. Also have a look at the facebook group 'dog training advice and support'. It's a closed group run by dog trainers and they give excellent, friendly advice and might be able to point you towards a decent local-to-you trainer.

I've always given our dogs lots of space and peace during their seasons, because they could be feeling lousy, in pain and so on. Especially in a first season, where her 'strange' feelings and emotions are probably confusing and upsetting to her.