Border terrier behaviour query

[heartstart]

We have a lovely bt who easy friendly and great with kids and other dogs etc. however, I have had a few other bt owners talking to me when we meet in park etc about how their bt was lovely til about 2-3 and then they got snappy or aggressive. Does anyone know if querying common?

[MoonlightandRoses]

My DM has one (now aged 7, had since a puppy) and knows about 4-5 others in her area. Haven't heard of this behavioural change in them before. There is one female who is a bit grouchy, but she's been like that since a puppy (full sister to DM's dog).

DM's border is like yours - loves children, interested in other dogs and friendly and gentle all round.

[Birdsgottafly]

My DP had working JR's and his friends have BT's. That is the age that the 'terrier' instinct can set in and aggression can be shown, if they have not had strong leadership from the start.

They are like teenagers testing their parents.

They may be small dogs but they are a working strong minded breed and need firm bounderies.

I don't know anyone who has had problems with them because they have treated them as they should be treated, as a dog and have socialised them well.

[Birdsgottafly]

Just to add that i have ever know any to have a probem around children, it's just that if they are not shown their place, the territorial instinct is the one that can show as aggression.

[lovelydogs]

Unfortunately was the case with my BT. Changed over night when she turned two. Only ever aggressive with other dogs, not all dogs though, just some dogs, sometimes. As a result can only be lead walked (unless I take her somewhere especially deserted) and when ever I've bumped into other BTs they have shared similar stories. My BT was socialised from a young age, every day with lots of other dogs, there really is no stopping it if it's in them.

[heartstart]

Thanks all guess will just have to keep on training etc

[ditavonteesed]

lovely dogs, I have similar going on here, cherry was lovely gt a bit aggressive with other dogs about 1 year old but we managed to train it out of her, she is 2 and a half now and has to be lead walked unless we go into the middle of nowhere. mos of the time she is fine but she is very unpredicatbale and shows no outward signs before she snaps. she is great with everybody else and the loveliest dog yu could ever meet just no good with other dogs, she was socialised and trained early. She is fine with spaniels and labs and other bigger dogs but I could never trust her near a puppy. Many other border owners have said similar.

[lovelydogs]

Oh yes same here with puppies dita! It's a definite attack if a puppy, the rest is just guess work. There's no rule eg male, female small large etc. And like your Cherry she is a real darling in every other aspect. Loves people and ADORES children! At least she has some saving grace!

[IDismyname]

I have a bt who is now 10. He was a great puppy, but challenging to train! Since we got a working cocker girl about 6 years ago, he's gone into a sulk and not come out of it.

He's very particular about walks... doesnt 'do' wet or long grass or anything with stones in paths. If he doesn't like the walk, he goes awol. I've taken to walking him on a lead, now.

However, he is GREAT with little children and will cope with all sorts of abuse they might throw at him. (My working cocker has to be put away at that point!)