Having a dog isn't fun anymore

[SocialButterfly]

I am after a bit of advice. We have a collie x lab who is approx 8 years old. We got him 3 years ago from a small rescue. He knows some commands sit, paw etc and is generally well behaved. However he hates other dogs, when we first got him, he would tolerate them..just. Now if one even walks past the window he goes mad, barking for ages even after they have gone. We have to muzzle him on walks now after a few near misses. I feel nervous taking him out ( I'm sure he pick up on this). He spends most of his time at home sitting looking out the window, I have used frosting on the windows it's possible and we have blinds up but I can't sit in darkness all day. He barks at people, especially dogs and when my dh comes home he barks and bark for ages. If the children make a noise he barks, if they sing he howls. I'm finding he he's driving me mad and I take no pleasure in owning him. What can I do to try and make it better for me and him - he obviously isn't very happy

whoops first link here website here

Can you try dog agility OP?

Might be a little bit more stimulation for him.

I don't know if its coincidence, but I've known a few collies with compulsive-type obsessions. It sounds like barking has become one...

oh sorry, just read whole thread - ignore me!

I agree with Snoopy that lots of exercise and training might paradoxically make the dog more hyper.

My dog is a sheepdog, although not a collie. I found that while taking her for a walk, with long periods of sit and down, up to five minutes each time worked wonders. Do not treat after a successful sit or down. Just walk without comment and your dog will start walking with you, but in a calm state of mind. Any major praise or treating will get her excited again, which you don't want.

The second issue is void of leadership, as others have mentioned. Sheepdogs are very attuned to having a strong leader and following commands. Giving treats or distracting the dog will not fill the leadership void. You do need to make your dog understand that you are in charge and it does not need to protect you or make decisions. That will release a lot of the nervous tension. How you accomplish that is up to you. If it were me, I would make the dog go down every time it barked at the window and stay down till it became calm again. I would also monitor and limit it's access to the window -how often he sits there should be your decision, not his. Give him a blanket and when he is in the same room as you, he should be lying quietly on his blanket. This will calm his mind.

Best of luck.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to answer. I have taken it all on board and it has inspired me to try new things and I feel a bit more positive than I did this morning.
I think he is a very anxious dog and doesnt seem to relax much, he will be lying quietly but if I get up her leaps up and charges after me. I cannot leave the room without him accompanying me.
I think over time we have ignored all of these behaviours which have then become habits to him and now I cannot cope with them all any more. The barking particularly is driving me to distraction!

Flatbread we agree I knew we would one day.

Suddenly worries if people may think I am being sarcastic - I am not I am genuinely pleased

I would treat more than you but that is a minor point.

Snoopy

awwww - gotta love MN for bringing you together

FWIW I feel that Esmes comments do have a basis, though the word "pin" is maybe misinterpreted, and should not really be recommended to inexperienced owners.

With certain dominant types of dog (rottweilers for me) initial dominance is important in order to establish place in the pack. Pinning is not intended to be a rough or agressive move, more that the dog is lying on its side and you would place your hands on it, exerting light pressure particularly around the muzzle. Also lifting the dogs front feet a couple of inches off the ground for 10-15 seconds has a similar effect. These are intended as non-agressive exercises that demonstrate your position but are not suitable for all breeds, generally for young puppies before problems become established and probably not for beginners. They should NEVER be used on a dog you are chastising as, as previous posters have mentioned, you run the risk of being bitten.

Cage training is invaluable and will give both you and him a welcome break but its important you approach it properly. Consult a pet behaviourist and look up local dog clubs (a lot cheaper and if you hit upon a good one, as good as an average behaviourist)

Good luck and do go with what you feel happy with, undertaking something you are not comfortable with will generally end in tears.

Pack theory is a very outdated, inneffective and cruel way of training (not to mention potentially dangerous to the owner) and has been disproved several times over

kim-downing.suite101.com/debunking-the-dominance-theory-in-dogs-a107092

www.4pawsu.com/dogpsychology.htm

Lots of links at the end of this one

I would write more, but to be honest, I am sick of reading about and disputing, the effectiveness of dominance training and pack theory. There is a wealth of info on the net and in books that all state it's a pile of twaddle, you only have to look for it.

99.99% of the best (i.e. famous or published) trainers use positive training. There's only Ceaser bloody Milan who needs to catch up or be shot

D0oinMeCleanin I love you! I have a copy of an issue of DogsToday magazine which has an article about the dominance myth to photocopy & give to people i know!
Good luck OP, collies (and collie crosses) need constant mental stimulation or they'll make their own, as youve found!
I found getting our rescue collie obsessed with a toy worked well, he thinks the toy is his job now and doesn't take up obsessions with eating doors etc anymore!

Just a quick update for you lovely ladies. We took him on two longer walks today, one round the local area and one in the field. He is now exhausted and currently laying on a mat we got him in the lounge getting to work on a Kong.
Early days and he has had his moments going mad at the window but we are trying to be less cross and shouty and more calm and distracting

sounds like you will get it cracked in no time SB