NERVOUS COLLIE DOG HELP PLEASE

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adgetom

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I HAVE A 8 MNTH OLD COLLIE WHO IS REALLY NERVOUS OF EVERYTHING AND CHEWS MY WHOLE HOUSE ANY IDEAS SUGGESTIONS
IM AT MY WITS END!!!
 
Hi and welcome to the forum......you might get more help and advice if you post this in the 'Dog' bit!
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I AM IN SCOTLAND WOULD CONSIDER GIVING HIM AWAY BUT NOT JUST TO ANYBODY AS IT WILL BREAK MY HEART . I LOVE HIM SOOO MUCH . BUT HE NEVER LOOKS HAPPY .
CRYING EVEN WRITING THIS HE IS A SPECIAL DOG
 
Hi,

DON'T PANIC !!!

4 years ago I got a rescued collie, who was so nervous she used to dig herself a little hole in the garden to hide in, & wet herself if anyone went near (it took 5 months before my husband could even touch her).

The good news is that she is now a perfectly normal dog & it is perfectly possible to sort them out with a bit of effort.

Firstly the chewing problem - don't let him/her have access to anything you don't want chewed - you can get 'dog gates' like baby gates to keep them safely in one room. For chewing things like furniture, get 'bitter apple' spray, available in most pet shops. It tastes so disgusting that they won't chew anything you spray it on!

The nervous problem can be solved in lots of ways, depending on the situation. For a really nervous dog, putting a coat on them can help, as they feel safe wrapped up when they go out.

Similarly DAP pheromone spray or collars can help (they are based on the scent the mother would give off to her pups).

If it's nerves with one particular problem, you need to slowly de-sensitise him/her to it by exposing them to the problem gradually, at their own pace & making sure something nice happens (like a specially tasty treat).

Don't excessively pet or reassure your dog, as this rewards him/her for the nervous behaviour and encourages them to do it more often.

If you need any more help (I am a qualified dog trainer) PM me with specifics & I'll do my best.

Beth x
 
I've always had collies and my current one is a bit nervous and displays 'odd' behaviours. They are not your average dog and typically not suitable as pets. If you don't keep their minds straight, you can very quickly have a problem on your hands - not the dogs fault in any way - we have to take full responsibilty for this. Do you work your dog? Does he have enough to occupy his mind? Do you leave him on his own all day? You may have to rethink your choice of dog, depending on your personal circumstance. Please please do the right thing by him. Sounds like he may have had a bad start if he was nervous of being touched. Saying that, I've had mine since a pup and he's a working dog and never had a days rough treatment in his life and he's always been wary of strangers. They're a quirky animal!
 
Had collies all my life
The latest came as 6month old now 9months
He may be in-bred so might your one
Very frightened had to carry him to car and tie him down then carry him out
Very scared of tall men
I make no fuss whatever going out of the door or coming back in--totally ignore him for first few minutes
He always has a marrow bone, one in his bed, one in the garden
I used one of the training leads to start with so he was attached to my waist in the house and outside-had to follow me everywhere. Change direction if they pull you.
Now he often chooses to be where I am--lying behind me at computer now
I worked hard at him coming to call (I have a whistle on a lanyard as I cant whistle very loudly) with treats but he is not very food orientated
He walks off the lead on our fields and ranges quite widely but comes back very fast for the whistle
my vet thinks he is just unsocialised but others think he may have been beaten--he is very submissive, literally flattening if he thinks Im cross
We are making steady progress but not as fast as I am used to starting with a collie pup.
as above they need to be occupied or they will get into mischief
 
We have one collie which is very nervous / submissive.
They are all working dogs ( we have 4) this one when you call him runs off in the opposite direction.
He has never been beaten but is just naturally timid.
I would go down the phremone calmer route and if that does not work and you are at your wits end border collie rescue are good.
 
i have had him since he was born the girl i live with has his mum and dad , so he has never had anything bad happen to him. he comes back when you call most times but sometimes he just totally ignores you .
he actually crawls along the floor if he thinks you are cross.popy anderson he is with my friend all day and me at night so not on his own. i think its his nervs that make him chew. mine hates strangers. he loves going in the car .
his dad is great his mother is a bit nervous but nothing major
 
I had my collie when she was 6mths and she was terrified of everything, i just carried on as normal, walked her and ignored her behaviour with cars etc (cowering down) and she came round in the end, and is incredibly obedient and not because i have specifically trained her i think she just wants to obey! Keep at it he will come round in end.
 
i just want to do whats best for him to be honest .
his eyes always look full of fear and sad .
the only time he is happy is when its just me and him in the house.
just want him t be happy
 
I have two, both naturally nervous and both just overcame it (as much as they can do) with good training, an affectionate hand and love!

They're both mad as hatters but wouldnt change them!
 
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