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The doghouse

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

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Original poster

Dog snapping at other dogs

22 replies

Spidey66 · 30/01/2022 21:08

We've got a 3 year old border collie. We've had her since 9 weeks and have a strong bond.

As a pup, she loved both dogs and humans. As she's got older, we've found she's less tolerant with other dogs, especially pups or smaller dogs, while remaining calm and friendly with humans.

It's not every dog, she has "mates" down the Park and other dogs shed ok with. I'd say it's about 1 in 3 she has problems with. We noticed she was baring teeth with others, now she's getting snappy.

It's so unlike her, she's normally chilled and calm!

Any advice welcome xxx

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fairylightsandwaxmelts · 30/01/2022 21:16

Hmm, I think this is quite common with collies. They don't tend to be very dog social and can come across as quite aloof.

I walk collies - they're all, without fail, excellent with dogs they've known since puppyhood and with dogs who they've been introduced to slowly and carefully, but strange dogs on walks? Not so much, lol.

@PollyRoullson is the resident collie expert though - she should be able to give you some advice.

MrsWinters · 30/01/2022 21:21

I think it’s normal for dogs to become more discerning as they get older. Is she fine walking past and it just when they say hello? Or is it if they are walking past? If it’s when they are walking past I’d go back to puppy basics and get her focus on you. If it’s dogs going up to her to say hello let her just stick with her mates in the park and if others on walks want to introduce their dogs just say no.

Chuechebache · 30/01/2022 21:31

Its normal for collies to be aloof with other dogs(unless its another collie or they know the other dog well)Collies specially dont like other dogs "in their face".quite often in these circumstances,when another dog is in their face,they briefly show their teeth,but this doesnt mean they are going to snap at the other dog.Can you distract your collie briefly(just showing a ball will often be enough distraction)in those moments?

Original poster

Spidey66 · 30/01/2022 21:38

It's normally just when they're sniffing or saying hi, she can walk past others with no incident, but once they approach her she starts getting irritable. It's a new thing, last few months. Otherwise she remains as lovely as ever. And it's only some dogs. I had heard collies can be aloof.

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Original poster

Spidey66 · 30/01/2022 21:41

Ps no major incidents, just teeth baring mainly but if I don't pull her away or the other dog owner does the same I worry it could get worse.

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Chuechebache · 30/01/2022 21:55

My collies are very similar(although dont have the collie lipcurl).can you call her away,rather than pull her away.Try to stay relaxed and call her to you in a relaxed way(if you know what I mean) and just move past the other dog swiftly.

JaneEyress · 30/01/2022 22:12

Muzzle. Every time. Very selfish not to.

tabulahrasa · 30/01/2022 22:33

If it’s teeth baring and air snapping - she’s basically going, seriously, fuck off, you’re invading my personal space here.

Just stop random dogs doing it - recall her when you see a dog you don’t know, keep her beside you and tell the owner she doesn’t want to say hello to their dog.

Original poster

Spidey66 · 31/01/2022 12:51

It's teeth baring and air snapping, from her at least. It happened at the weekend and the other dog looked as if he'd retaliate, but we managed to separate them first.

Its funny though, she's a little dote with humans and loves fuss and attention and will roll over for a belly rub the second anyone says hello to her!

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Kizty · 31/01/2022 13:48

Is she on lead or off lead? Or both?

PollyRoulllson · 31/01/2022 16:19

Many collies do not want interaction with other dogs.

If your dog is air snaping and curled lip they will have already given subtle signals to the dog to stay away that the dog has not picked up on. This has then resulted in your dog learning that they need to up the anti to kepp dogs away from them. Collies being quick learners realise that air snapping works and so often they have to acclerate their behaviour and as you have seen it becomes more frequent and over time is likely to become more extreme. LUnging barking and nipping for example when just seeing dogs.

I would assume that you dog is perfectly happy without meeting any other dogs. Your dog is certainly more relaxed when not having to meet dogs.

By preventing interactions with dogs and your dog realising that you will walk away from approaching dogs or you will prevent dog to dog interactions she will begin to relax become less hypervigilant. This alone can help your dog.

You say she likes some dogs I would possibly change this to she tolerates some dogs. Usually after the age of 2 most dogs do not want dog play with dogs they do not know (especially collies).

If she were my dog my mission would be to have calm stressfree walks for at least a month where she does not have to give a reaction to other dogs. You may have to increase your distance from other dogs,change to quieter walking areas and walking times. If people ask if their dog can play with yours politely decline

PollyRoulllson · 31/01/2022 16:20

@Spidey66

It's teeth baring and air snapping, from her at least. It happened at the weekend and the other dog looked as if he'd retaliate, but we managed to separate them first.

Its funny though, she's a little dote with humans and loves fuss and attention and will roll over for a belly rub the second anyone says hello to her!

I secretly think most collies think they are humans

they much prefer human company to dogs.

Original poster

Spidey66 · 31/01/2022 16:58

Some good advice there @PollyRoulllson.

I will show my husband this thread.

She really is a lovely, lovely dog and thrives on the fuss she gets from humans. I often say to people 'Maggie prefers humans to dogs. Unlike her owners, who prefer dogs to humans.'' It's sad in a way though, I look back on the puppy days when she would run off and play with every dog going with affection.

@kizty
It normally happens when approached by another dog, either off or on leash.

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PollyRoulllson · 31/01/2022 19:04

Its not sad for her . She is very happy mixing with her people. She has found in her opinion a better way to filll her time.

Collies are fab

ThreeB · 31/01/2022 19:16

It isn't sad for her, it's a far better alternative than her living in stress mode every time you're out and about.

Polly's advice is great and I'd just add that it's worth looking at some of the information around Trigger stacking. Understanding that, and knowing how to minimise it, has transformed my boys

Original poster

Spidey66 · 31/01/2022 22:43

Oh I know it's not sad for her, she's very happy that we're the important ones in her world, not a yappy Jack Russell. I just used to enjoy watching her run round with other dogs. But she's a gorgeous, loyal, funny, affectionate dog who both of us adore, warts and all.

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Whattodo121 · 01/02/2022 22:43

I opened this as I’m a bit worried about our Border Collie being a bit unfriendly on walks! She’s completely 100% focussed on us when we go on a walk, she never EVER approaches other dogs and completely ignores them unless they get too close to her and then she growls and occasionally snaps at them. She goes to a dog Walker who specialises in collies and has no complaints, and she goes to two doggie daycare places where she has an absolute whale of a time playing with other dogs she knows. She also loves playing with the in-laws working cocker spaniel. I definitely think she thinks she’s human, and my heart always sinks when we are playing happily with the ball in a quiet bit of a field and another dog shows up and tries to nick her ball…..

MonChoufleur123 · 02/02/2022 15:33

Our collie X is exactly like this. He doesn't want to interact with other dogs. As far as he's concerned they are interrupting his 'work' carrying a stick, herding a ball etc. He particularly struggles with spaniels who come right up to sniff and can be very 'in your face'.
We've been working on maintaining his attention while other dogs go past with a treat for sitting calmly focusing on me. He also has a yellow lead slip saying 'Give me space' and I proactively ask other dog owners not to let their dog approach. Knowing I am in charge of potential interactions with other dogs and will keep them away from him has made him such more relaxed on walks. I would definitely recommend a lead slip to keep other dogs away.

PetPositive · 02/02/2022 15:44

Hi,
I see you mention this is a new behaviour you've noticed over the last few months, if there wasn't any particular incident that you can think of that might have made her less tolerant of being around unfamiliar dogs, then I'd say it's worth speaking to your vet about the possibility of some underlying pain which could be causing this reduced tolerance. So many sudden behaviour changes turn out to be pain related early indicators of a physical issue.

Original poster

Spidey66 · 05/02/2022 21:36

Last few days I've been walking her but when if another dog approaches her, I call her to come to me which she does happily and there GAs been no incidents. As ever, she remains happy and calm in the company of humans, including children. She loves chasing bubbles and just today she was playing bubbles with a 5 year old we know from the park.

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Original poster

Spidey66 · 05/02/2022 21:36

Sorry for typos.

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lljkk · 05/02/2022 21:43

One of the dogs I walk, she sometimes snapped if I let her say hello -- not my place as a walker to fix it, now I just keep her away from other dogs (who I often make a fuss of while snapper stays at my arms length). Me taking charge of greeting any other dog has done a lot to calm both the nervous & snappy dogs I walk.

There was a doofy bouncy dog who got right in snappy dog's face the other day, not ideal but I managed to prevent harm (phew)

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