Border Collies

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Amaretto

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My border collie has become aggressive when I want him to get out of the car and he doesn't want to! Has anyone come across this before and is aggression typical in the breed? He has plenty of exercise and is generally a happy soul...
 
Iv heard of some collies being a bit nippy, not necessarily "aggressive"

What do you mean? he is growling when you ask him to come out? or actually trying to bite etc?
Maybe try keeping his lead on (a long one) and that way you can hold the lead to get him out rather that asking the dog directly?
 
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My border collie has become aggressive when I want him to get out of the car and he doesn't want to! Has anyone come across this before and is aggression typical in the breed? He has plenty of exercise and is generally a happy soul...

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To be blunt (sorry lucy
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)........yes , they can be right sly little gits, and it's not unlike a collie to nip or growls im affraid, has this just started? how long have u had him? how is he in general? where does he travel whilst in the car, back seat/boot e.t.c?
Agree with Lucy re the lead, u need to mean business and correct him, a lead will help u to do this without being bitten, esp if u are just reaching for his collar.
 
Collies tend to collie nip. They can be aggressive but its not associated with the breed.
Have you taken your dog to the vet in the car recently, making him scared of getting out in case you are going to take him to the vet?
Maybe he feels safe in the small space of the car. Try putting a long lead on him when he travels so you can get him out, or try using toys treats and lots of praise.
Nickie
 
I've never had an issue with any "nipping" of any kind with my collies or indeed any I've trained before now (I'm an animal behaviourist and dog trainer) so I wouldn't so much put it down to the breed necessarily.

As has been asked up there *points*, how long has your dog been doing this? When did it first start and under what circumstance(s)?

What have you tried already to solve the problem and indeed has he actually bitten/attempted to bite you yet or is it starting with snarling/growling or something else?

So many questions. Once I know the answers I'll try to assist as best as I can!
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To catagorically say the breed is prone to biting is too broad but alot of collies that used to come into the vets we were warned could nip so most were muzzled! Beware that alot of collies don't actually warn first with raising hackles etc, your lucky if you get warning! I've been bitten several times by collies (but none serious more warning nips), but also been bitten by GSD's, staffies (thankfully none serious) and even minature poodles!! (ok at least the last one mentioned was toothless so should say gummed by him!!!)

On a whole they are a 'sharp' minded breed so need a firm, steady hand and lots of exercise. Most of their problems stem from insufficient stimuli hence leaving the mind bored. Given the right surroundings, handler etc they make lovely dogs.

With regard to tackling your problem, I agree totally with the long lead, the last thing you or the dog wants is for you to be bending into the car straight for the dog who is already worried. Get the end of the lead and gently pull, have a favourite titbit (cheese works well!) and reward once it comes out. Avoid a confrontation if possible as you don't want a battle that you will have to win!
 
Mine tried to nip me last night when I was brushing her big furry trousers around her back end!
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I am ashamed to say when she turned to bite (but she was clearly warning, as she didn't close her mouth on my hand...if that makes sense) I reacted (badly) by tapping her bum with the brush I was using.

Aside from the fact I felt guilty, it did work. She just stood there and didn't argue with me again!

I've not experienced any other issues of growling or biting though. Sure, she nipped a bit when teething, but she's really rather gentle now.

I think she takes her anger out on the cows!
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As for the OP's problem, I think the lead is a great idea. I used to struggle to get my Cocker Spaniel out of the car. He wasn't nippy, but he would jump all over the car to avoid me....he adored being in the car. I used to put him in the car on a lead (I'm sure that's not really a good idea technically) so that I could just grab the lead and gently pull him outside. I was always armed with some form of dog treat or other for him. He soon started leaping out of the car and sitting by my side for his treat!

Good luck.
 
Its alright Cala, Il forgive (collie hating psyco!!!
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)

Ok so so far you have lots of votes for long leads to save your hands, arms, face etc and also make the job easier!

It will be more helpful to know the answers to the questions asked above before being able to think why your collie might be doing this!!
 
You have had lots of good advice already, and I totally agree that agression often comes out of fear, so a trip to the vets, or possibly a walk where something unpleasant happened may well have left a negative association with the car.

Firmness, and then praise for good behaviour will definitely help, I hope you can sort this out before it becomes a major problem.

I have had Border Collies for years, and they are highly intelligent, need masses of mental as well as physical stimulation, and even the sweetest can show signs of being a bit nippy!
 
If there is no 'associated reason for the dog suddenly being agressive when getting out of the car you may need to look at how he/she (sorry can't remember
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) fits in within its pack ie. your family.

Now I may be talking out of my bottom (not uncommon) but as far as I am aware as collies are such intelligent dogs some may try and be the alpha dog eg no I'm not getting out of the car - this may be the start of not being able to get the dog to do anything that he/she does not want to do as he /she may see them selves as the alpha dog.

If this is the case then you need to reverse the tables and become the alpha dog.

Our BC has always been brought up to be the under dog - not by hitting him or shouting at him, but by our actions, such as:

1. feed him after the family has eaten
2. he has to stay in his basket whilst we eat
3. not giving him any fuss if he comes to you when you get home eg fuss on your terms. May sound harsh but you don't see the alpha dog in the wild greating the under dog, the underdog waits until he /she is encouraged for attention.

All this enforces the animals place within the family - you would not get an underdog showing agreesion to an alpha dog if it was asked to do something it does not want to do.

As said before I may be speaking out of my bottom, and I am by no means an expert. However this logic makes total sense to me and by using it with our BC we have a happy, confident, content dog that is not constantly trying to push the boundaries and has not shown one ioata of agression in any situation.
 
Gonna try the 'non fussing when I get home approach' etc. Think he is starting to have an alpha thing going on. Yesterday, he wouldn't come to me when called, which is unusual. Not sure why, all of a sudden, he is testing his boundaries...
 
I have had ten Border Collies now. Most of mine have been workers bar the one or two not cut out for the job! All mine do more than one job as in they do obedience and agility as well as their work.
The red collie in my sig is the most 'difficult' I've ever owned, he has been a very independant soul from a tiny pup and will try to be top dog at every opportunity. As a result I have always had to be top dog over him, he gets away with nothing as one inch equals ten miles to him. He is the only dog I've ever had castrated and it has improved his nature a lot. I had hassle getting him in the car when he didn't want to go so I've changed things into a game. He loves chasing balls etc so we play ball for a bit then the ball lands in the car, he collects it and gets fussed for it. I don't let him have anything on his terms but I make sure we get there positively as an argument with my lad makes for longer term hassle!
I am a major fan of my collies but would never recommend them to anyone who hasn't got the option of keeping them extremely well exercised and brain active!
 
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Gonna try the 'non fussing when I get home approach' etc. Think he is starting to have an alpha thing going on. Yesterday, he wouldn't come to me when called, which is unusual. Not sure why, all of a sudden, he is testing his boundaries...

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Ahhh I've heard of this before with BC's, apparently they go through a 'teenager' stage where they can get very rebellious - or least that is what I heard anyhow.

Ours has never done that (he's 2 1/2) - or perhaps he's a late developer and I have that to come
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; so I can't really offer any advice on how to get through that stage apart from the reinforcing of commands/rewards for doing something right.

Good luck, I'm sure he/she will come right and its just a stage - might be worth checking the protein content of his food as well as to much protein can mess their heads up.
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Little sod has bitten my Dad. He was asleep under my Dad's kitchen table, muttering in his sleep. Dad moved to get up from his chair and Dylan reacted by biting him...Dad had to push him away with his chair as he continued to growl. He is usually so well behaved for my Dad and perhaps he was just startled and reacted instincitvely. But, really upset. Dylan is my late Mum's dog and I feel responsible for him and he means the world to me, but his behaviour is not endearing him to my family. He gets exercise, but thinking he needs more, or more stimulation. Am feeling a little bit apprehensive around him now, and this probably doesn't help, as I need to be the alpha. Pls don't judge and jump on me, this is a genuine request for help and support. Thank you
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Little sod has bitten my Dad. He was asleep under my Dad's kitchen table, muttering in his sleep. Dad moved to get up from his chair and Dylan reacted by biting him...Dad had to push him away with his chair as he continued to growl. He is usually so well behaved for my Dad and perhaps he was just startled and reacted instincitvely. But, really upset. Dylan is my late Mum's dog and I feel responsible for him and he means the world to me, but his behaviour is not endearing him to my family. He gets exercise, but thinking he needs more, or more stimulation. Am feeling a little bit apprehensive around him now, and this probably doesn't help, as I need to be the alpha. Pls don't judge and jump on me, this is a genuine request for help and support. Thank you
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Can't believe nobody has anything to offer????
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Firstly sorry to hear about the loss of you mum
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As you said Dillon was your Mum's dog he obviously saw her as the pack leader.

From what you said I really do feel that this is an alpha dog thing. Dillon may be confused as he has lost his leader and is now trying to be the alpha dog himself.

What is your routine with him i.e where does he sleep, meal times - is he treated like a dog? (I know silly question, but have heard of some people treating dogs like children etc)

Whats his obediance like? does he sit, down, stay on command? Walk to heal, wait to be told he can eat? etc

I hope I can help, I am no expert as I have said before. Just observed dog pack behaviour and applied to our dog who is also a BC.
 
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