asking for advice oj dog behaviour for friend and her partner

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Slightlyconfused

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My friend has two collies

A six year old who they rehomed when he was two and a two year old they rehomed at seven months. The two year old was left at home all day and never lead trained. He also has a bit of a arrogant streak if that makes sense. They are perfect with people.

They get on very well, can often be found sleeping together. but for a few points they are unsure on how to deal with. They will be going to a trainer as soon as they find one they like and she has started her new job.

Point one. The younger dog went through a stage of not letting the older dog have a chew bone. They now happily chew together but he still does this sometimes. Any ideas? Younger dog runs at and growls in older dogs face and he drops it.

Point two, the younger dog will not allow older dog to play with any toy, he does the above behaviour. Also can be known to try to move older dog away from certain places

Point three, walkies. On their own they are perfect with their manners, together older dog is still perfect but younger dog only focuses on older dog. Will only come back when older dog comes back.
Also younger dog is always in older dogs face on walks. Older dog enjoys having a run but younger dog keeps nipping at his face.

So any tips I can.pass on?

Also.recommendations of trainers in the MK area? Mine is a but too far out their way.
 
I can't really see a problem, maybe your friend is overthinking things.....if you have more than one dog then unless they are fighting or really not getting along then I would just allow them to settle issues themselves. Dogs have an order to things and if left to their own devices will sort out things.
 
My advice is remove all toys in the house. My trainer suggested this as it takes away jealousy which leads to power struggles and fighting, although I just a,ke sure there's enough toys for choice for everyone.

On walks, can't they be trained whilst out? Are they left just to get on and entertain themselves? The younger one especially might be bored, possibly. If I leave my two littermates to it on walks, they disappear and go after muntjac overnight :rolleyes3:

The getting in the older dog's face is exactly what Zak does to Brig, the older dog. He takes toys off him, play nips him and Brig lets him, it's simply play and a telling stops it going too far. Brig eventually tells him when he's had enough, but Zak loves winding him up.

My trainer (primarily gundogs, but does all breeds, Watford probably too far from your friend) trains to breed. I reckon she'd suggest directing the younger one especially to agility or another activity in which collies excel.

I must say, I'm no expert, just putting myself in my trainer's shoes (she's not on here).
 
They do train on walks, but nether train to treats very well. Walking isn't food time to them (the dogs) the younger one id slowly stopping and looking when they call which is a bug improvement.

Will show them the responses. Thanks.

Yes Watford is a bit far, they are more Stacey bushes area
 
Sounds to me as though they have sorted out the pecking order and are okay with it. You cannot really majorly influence it, just let them organise themselves - and it might change now and again depending on how important each resource is to each individual. As for owners, they do need to establish themselves at the top of the order for both dogs to pay attention to them, by training, controlling resources etc.
Training involves teaching them what each cue means (and that is when you reinforce it with fuss, treats, something each one likes) in a less stimulating environment such as house or garden at first, and then enforcing it. A long line for a recall, or get to them and push them down for a "down" for example, to take away their element of choice, so long as they have learned it first. And they won't learn much on a walk except ignoring is fine, because there is always much more interesting stuff going on "over there".
 
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Two or more dogs form a "pack" and there will be a natural hierarchy. As others have said, just leave them to it. Don't punish the younger one for being dominant as that will just upset the natural balance.

Most people make the mistake of being predictable on walks so the dog/s take the initiative. Another mistake is to reprimand for a slow return. Or to put the dog on the lead or in the car as soon as it returns. If you see your dogs go left, keep them guessing by occasionally going right. Disappear by hiding behind a tree and make them come and find YOU. Don't call repeatedly, just once -- then disappear or change direction. When a dog comes to call, make a fuss of it as if you haven't seen it for a month -- even if it appears from the neighbour's hedge with chicken feathers in it's mouth. Deal with the hen killing later,possibly by hanging a corpse (chicken, not dog) on the electric fence!

As I've said, two dogs or more is a pack. Dogs are social animals and mostly need company. Just be careful they don't decide that two in the pack is enough and sneak off to chase deer -- or sheep!
 
Thanks dry rot that's helpful for them.

My two collies on walks just ignore deer, sheep etc. I always go in opposite directions to the way they are running keeps them on their toes :D

They can move food, take away etc without them reacting.
 
Dry Rot said:
. Deal with the hen killing later,possibly by hanging a corpse (chicken, not dog) on the electric fence!
Click to expand...

Thank you for that comment! I'm trying to acquire a new dog and a perfect match has come up - apart from its fondness for "innocent play" with chickens. I think you may just have found a solution :D
 
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