Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Flip

Original poster

border collie growling

24 replies

aquamarine2 · 12/04/2018 15:42

we have recently taken on a border collie aged 4 because one of our other dogs died and we wanted company for the other.

When we went to see him he growled a little and we were told that he sometimes did that to strangers but didn't bite. We walked him with our dog and he seemed lovely, they played together and he was good on the lead.

Now we have got him home, he can be fine one minute and then for no apparent reason starts growling, which will intensify if you don't stop whatever it is you are doing. This includes stroking him, talking to him, looking at him. Even offering him a treat.

Just as quickly it can change back again and he is all over you.

He has only been with us a week. Does anyone have any advice to offer?

OP posts:

Chuffingchuff · 12/04/2018 15:48

Did you get him from a border collie specific rescue? Or a general rescue?

ThymeLord · 12/04/2018 15:58

He has only been with you a week so honestly I would just leave him alone to settle. It is such a short time and he must be thoroughly unnerved and unsure, having gone through the upheaval of moving, and now settling into a totally strange environment.

If it was me, i'd let him do all the approaching. So if he wants a stroke let him come to you for it and stop as soon as he has had enough. Rather than going up to him and offering him treats directly, i'd just walk past his bed/wherever he is lying etc. and drop a treat every so often, so he starts to make an association between you and nice food.

He is growling to communicate he isn't happy about something, I think that's good personally. He hasn't gone straight to a nip or a bite, he's saying leave me alone. I think you need to give him more time and space, a week is nothing. Good luck.

DABradio · 12/04/2018 16:02

Has he been vetted? Sure he's pain free?

We have a reactive/growly collie and we are EXPERTS in his temperament now. Bloody hard work, but so worth it.

He's really sensitive, and we have spent good money on force free behavioursists that have guided us on listening to him.

He's never bitten anyone

Hoping the 'know his place in the pack' mob don't rock up with tales of alpha rolling and other outdated crap.

NKFell · 12/04/2018 16:04

I just wanted to say that I completely agree with Thyme.

I have a Border Collie, I think they're great at telling you how they feel- for a dog! So, don't worry too much and let him settle.

SluttyButty · 12/04/2018 16:10

We have a growly BC that we rescued from a BC rescue when she was little. She'd not had the best start so we put her behaviour down to that when we first got her. She's almost ten now and she's still a grumpy old bag and hideously guarded with her food.
We just accept that's her personality, she lets us know when she wants a stroke and a snuggle. She's quite a contended dog despite the growling and the excessive barking at anyone who dares to go past the front door.

Original poster

aquamarine2 · 12/04/2018 16:23

we got him from a guy who has MS and lived in a tiny house so he didn't have much exercise. so I think very protective of this man and I am not sure he was particularly well treated/trained.

Have done lots of research and know that growling is not to be reprimanded.

thanks for your replies. xx

OP posts:

Original poster

aquamarine2 · 12/04/2018 16:29

He has the vet Saturday. Am worried about how he will react to the vet if he growls at us!

Also, I contacted the man to ask for this vaccination dates because he said he would have to ask his son for the details, and it turns out he hasn't had any since he was a pup. So that is something else for me to worry about!

OP posts:

DABradio · 12/04/2018 16:36

The vet will be well prepared and offer him to be muzzled if appropriate. They're going to want to support you; be on your side. Good luck.

lollipopjones · 12/04/2018 16:42

I agree with Thyme's advice.

Do you have DC's though, OP? If you do, be really careful because it sounds like nervousness. And nervous dogs can bite if they feel under pressure.

With regards to vaccinations, that's not a problem. You'll just have to start the course again. Speak to your vet about taking him out and about, bearing in mind he's not vaccinated but if you stick to unpopulated areas, you should be fine.

And if things don't settle down, take advice from a dog trainer.

In my experience it can take up to 6 months for an adult dog to settle into a new home. And for you to get to know each other.

Dogs love routine. So try and stick to doing the same things every day in the same order. He'll then know what's expected of him.

Original poster

aquamarine2 · 12/04/2018 16:48

no children.

Am a routine type of person and have one built up with my other dog and thankfully the new boy follows him everywhere and seems to like him, so he will be taking on board 'our routines'.

OP posts:

fleshmarketclose · 12/04/2018 16:51

Eric not a border collie but a clever poodle cross growls a lot as well. There is no intent behind it,it's just his way of communicating.
He loves to be stroked but when he's had enough he growls, if you carry on after the growl he gets up and sulks in his basket he doesn't snap or nip. Likewise if you talk as he is dropping off, he growls to tell you to shut up if you aren't quiet he takes himself off to another room. We just see it as Eric says no. It might be worrying to others who aren't aware of his ways but the rest of us take no notice. His growls that are a threat are completely different though so it's easy to distinguish between them.

ClangerTwanger · 12/04/2018 16:52

Just wanted to say good luck and hopefully it will be something minor like a pain issue etc the vet can help with. Our border collie was very similar in that he would growl occasionally at me and shower aggression towards others, he tried to bite me a few times. We had him checked out and there was nothing wrong. He also had a behaviour therapist and it worked for a good while but he did savagely bite me in the end so just keep on top of it.

ClangerTwanger · 12/04/2018 16:53

Sorry not a happy story! Just don’t want you in the same position we were in 😐

HabituallyOptimistic · 12/04/2018 16:54

Borders are one of the smartest breeds, and that intelligence extends to their emotional needs. My border is a rescue, and was very badly treated. It's honestly taken me the best part of 2 years to win her over. I've spent a great deal of time just ignoring her so she doesn't see me as a threat, and letting her come to me when she wants something. She quickly gets overwhelmed though, and just as quickly decides she's not overwhelmed after all!
A growl is a warning. It's good that he has the restraint to growl.

ThymeLord · 13/04/2018 13:42

I wonder worry about the VET aqua. Ring first if you are nervous and offer to muzzle. They will have seen far far worse though.

ThymeLord · 13/04/2018 13:42

*wouldn't

tabulahrasa · 13/04/2018 14:13

Is the vet tomorrow?

I’d be a wee bit worried about the after effects if he does have to be muzzled for the first time unexpectedly when he’s already stressed...

If you can get through the first visit without a muzzle, I’d think about muzzle training as soon as you can so that it’s not something that’s going to upset him if it ever does have to happen.

Original poster

aquamarine2 · 13/04/2018 16:38

tabu.

that was what was in my mind. However, don't see a way around it. He growls if we touch him when he doesn't want it, in a home he is fairly used to. this is a small vets room with strange vet bearing needles etc.

Will let you know how we get on.......

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 13/04/2018 16:53

Other than delaying the appointment which you’ll not want to do, neither do I

Hopefully your vet is nice and it all goes well anyway

NKFell · 13/04/2018 17:25

Hope it goes well aqua, try not to worry!

My BC was growling at my 8 year old last night- he didn't like the sound his robot made- in the end BC got up, lay down in the kitchen and made a loud whine (to show everyone he was unhappy he was forced out the the sitting room!).

Original poster

aquamarine2 · 16/04/2018 13:18

Update on Blue.

He had jabs on Saturday accompanied by much growling. He wore a muzzle which was put on with ease. No snapping.

As soon as he was out of the vets the growling stopped and he was back to normal as though it had never happened. Also now up to date with flea/worm treatment.

Have to say the growling in the house is much reduced. My friend even came in and he went up to greet her without fear.

The only fly in the ointment is DP. He is convinced he knows best and still insists on trying to give him the occasional treat by hand which starts quite aggressive growling. (Apparently the previous owner 'trained him' not to take treats. I don't like to think how).

Other than that, progress not too bad. xx

OP posts:

MrsPMT · 16/04/2018 13:23

My BC growls occasionally, when I'm trying to dry her or groom her, I feel she's saying "I don't really like this, it needs to stop soon". I do it very quickly and then she gets a treat after, she's getting better.

Do you have a dog trainer near and could take him to some adult classes? We have a trainer who's great with the dogs and taking my BC to the adult classes means I can also ask her advice about any issues.

MrsPMT · 16/04/2018 13:24

ps Good on you for taking on a rescue BC, they are hard work but very faithful dogs

Original poster

aquamarine2 · 16/04/2018 13:48

I have the number of someone but feel it would need to be on a 121basis because too many people would overwhelm him.

That said he is an absolute poppet with all other dogs and seems to adore my other dog, an elderly collie cross.

We took him to the beach the other day and he was delighted with the sand! He rolled and rolled and ran and ran.

Don't think the ppor lad had much of a life before.

OP posts:

Flip