BREED: BORDER
Lorraine's Problem

Dear Nicki,

Ted [my Border] was 1 last week. he's a great little dog, a bit stubborn but better since he was neutered. But,...today a friend came with a 3 year old springer [Charlie] who will usually stand his ground, they went for a long walk together and that was
good Ted kept looking to Charlie like a big brother!
But when we got home Ted wanted Charlie to play like chase me or rough and tumble but Charlie didn't want to know..so Ted was like trying to lick/knibble in Charlie's ear then then trying to push Charlie down by the shoulders. I'm not sure if this was leading to try and hump charlie or just to play.
Ted will not take no for an answer when he is like that. Is it because he is young or is it a dominance thing?
He was not so bad with a female dog.
Nobody likes their dog bullied though and thats how it starts to look. Charlie was just trying to ignore Ted. Can You Help?

Thanks,

Lorraine Wallace
Kent.

BREED: BORDER
Nicki's Answer:

Hi Lorraine,

Ted is only a year old, so I expect he's recently been neutered. You would need to take into consideration that it takes between 6 weeks and three months for the level of testosterone to drop once castration has taken place.
Ted sounds like he's going on with a bit of bossy-boots behaviour that is normally fuelled by high levels of testosterone but it's also the behaviour of a young, pushy male too.
Charlie is being very mature and clever in expressing his dominance. In the dog world (and in ours too) ignoring certain unacceptable behaviour is the highest form of dominance.
Ted's behaviour is certainly unacceptable to an older dog but Ted's too young to know - Charlie is trying to teach him. Just leave them be and don't interfere. There could come a time if Ted keeps up the pestering when Charlie takes a pop at Ted but it won't be serious - just a little verbal warning to back off. It doesn't mean they're not friends, it's just the animal world at work.

Hope this helps,

Kind Regards
Nicki

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Dear Nicki,

We rescued our lovely Kerry Blue, Benji, over 3 months ago. He is nearly 4 years old and came with a couple of issues.
He had been living with 90-year-old owners and was not getting fed properly or exercised. We were advised that he had previously bitten a dog groomer.
He has really come on since we got him; he s had his first haircut and had put on weight. He s great on walks, although not fond of other dogs.
The only real problem that we have is that he is very very possessive when he is given anything. He growls and gives us dirty looks if you give him a bone or he picks up a random sweetie wrapper. We were planning to try and work on this area for training.
However, on Friday night he bit my partner Stephen when he was trying to retrieve his treat for him from under the chair. We are now sick with worry that he may bite again and it will be a child or relative. There was no warning or growl, just an inch gouge and from Stephens arm. We had to attend the hospital.
Could you please advise what the best course of action would be?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a million,

Sharon
South Lanarkshire
Scotland
UK

BREED: KERRY BLUE
Nicki's Answer:

Hi Sharon

As he seems quite nervous/aggressive in certain situations like with the dog groomer and doesn't like dogs, the very first thing I would do is take him to the vet to check his frame and ensure he has not got anything out of place in his body.
In the meantime avoid trapped places like under chairs, corners,try and allow him a safe area. It seems diet may be an issue also so research his diet look at www.rawmeatybones.com and try and get him on as natural diet as possible.
It is very tricky when dealing with aggression without seeing him, but dogs are not naturally aggressive and there will be a cause either illness, fear, etc..
I would contact www.barkbusters.co.uk in your area as they can help with your issues but I do think you need help in order to keep him safe.

I hope this helps,

Kind Regards
Nicki

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Dear Nicki,

Mary Kate my Kerry(named after Maureen O'Hara's character in The Quiet Man) paws at me for attention. I have tried "off", "no", etc. It's very annoying. She's a real lover - so it's not lack of attention.

Thanks!
Rossane Carey
Harrison Township, USA

BREED: KERRY BLUE
Nicki's Answer:

Dear Rossane,

This kind of behaviour starts off being rather endearing, but it can quickly become sooooo annoying. Some people don't mind it but in your case, it seems to have gone over the top somewhat and needs to be curbed. Mary-Kate is just training you. She's probably thrilled when you respond - even if you say "No" or "off" you've responded.
The best way to put a stop to this is to totally ignore her, don't say a word and don't look at her or respond in any way.
Sit it out the first time - it might take some time initially. When she gives up in disgust and walks away (and she will, just be patient) call her over to you and love her all you want. Then withdraw the loving and do it all again. It'll only take a couple of days before she gets the message that you're in control of the training.
At different times during the day, crouch down, invite her over to you and give her lots of loving. This kind of training can be a powerful weapon in reversing who's in charge of whom.

Hope this helps,

Kind Regards
Nicki

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BREED: LAKELAND
Elain's Problem:

Dear Nicki,

I am now the proud owner of a sweet two year old Lakeland Terrier named Duey. He is one of the kindest, agreeable, and affectionate males. There's only one issue...he doesn't like to be left alone and barks continually (for hours). I've left the radio and TV on without any success.
Duey arrived at my home only two weeks ago and there is an adjustment period yet is there something I can do to help his transition go smoothly?

Thanks.
Elaine

BREED: LAKELAND
Nicki's Answer:

Hi Elaine,

This level of barking was probably happening in his previous home too and was more than likely the reason why this “sweet, kind, agreeable and affectionate” dog was rehomed at 2 years of age. You’re quite right in saying that he needs a period of time to adjust to his new surroundings.
However, I’ve found that after two weeks, the real personality of the dog comes to the fore so this level of barking won’t improve by itself. You need to look at other areas where Duey is barking. I’m sure that he’s not barking just when you leave. Eg, does he bark when the post arrives? Does he bark when the doorbell goes? Does he bark when people pass by the house?
It seems to me that he’s been able to get away with things for quite sometime, due mainly to the kind of personality he is. It’s difficult to correct a sweet-natured dog but I’m afraid you’re going to have to start giving him some rules and boundaries.
Let him know in no uncertain manner that you don’t accept him barking unnecessarily. Do this by setting up situations where he will bark when you’re in the room, and soundly tell him off for the behaviour (don’t wait for things to happen – be proactive rather than reactive). Remember to vocally praise him once he stops – only to immediately use a strong vocal correction if he barks again.
Once he’s responding put him in another room and shut the door. If he barks, soundly correct him as you did before without opening the door to him. Then you should be able to leave the house but wait outside your property and listen for any barking. If it happens, go back and correct him from outside the house. You’re going to have to take baby steps and wait for improvement in one area before moving on to the more difficult situation of you leaving him in the house and departing. It’s time for a little tough love.

Hope this helps,

Kind Regards
Nicki

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BREED: BEDLINGTON
Susan's Problem:

Dear Nicki,

I have two young bedlington terriers, Shaun a 9 month old neutered male, and Evie a 4 month old little girl. Since we got Evie, they make a lot of noise when they playfight and we are getting complaints from the neighbours next door. Also, Shaun barks sometimes when he is in the garden. We have tried anti bark collars, which make a noise to distract them from barking with no avail.
Can you suggest anything to stop them?

Regards,
Susan.

BREED: BEDLINGTON
Nicki's Answer:

Dear Susan

I'm not in the habit of dividing behavioural problems by breed, but Bedlington Terriers, as you no doubt know only too well, are normally sweet, gentle little creatures and as a result, we don't get called on to treatbehavioural problems very often with this breed. However, it can sometimes happen that BECAUSE they're so sweet and gentle, it's almost impossible for owners to "tell them off" effectively - it would be like telling Bambi off.
I do think that this could be a little bit of a management problem, easily solved by giving them a few rules and boundaries in this and other areas oftheir life.
Males in the dog world are usually the females' minders, so this could be why Shaun has started barking in the back garden since Evie came into the household. It sounds like he's trying to be a good little pack member and mind the valuable female - he has no idea that this (instinctive) behaviour can cause problems for the pack in our human world.
I think maybe he doesn't see you as The Minder of the pack because you love them both so much. Dogs without rules and boundaries gently but consistently instilled at a young age, will resort to their instincts as they mature.
The safety of the pack is all important - it's all about survival, so you can only imagine the strength of their instincts.
This behaviour will continue to escalate as they grow towards maturity, so you're right to seek help now before the behaviour becomes entrenched.
Before you tackle the barking in the back garden, you need to control the play fighting to begin with, as this usually happens inside the house and within close proximity to you. From what you say, the play fighting is starting to get out of hand if the neighbours are complaining about the noise. A certain amount of play-fighting is of course acceptable, but it should be stopped by you if it starts to gain in volume, frequency and ferocity. Don't stand for it - clap your hands loudly and growl deeply until they stop. Remember that they don't understand words at this stage, so keep things simple - the "uh-uh" sound is often understood instantly if accompanied by a loud sound such as rapid clapping. Once they respond to this vocal telling off, you should use it each time they are doing something unacceptable.
When this becomes familiar, you should be able to use it effectively when Shaun's barking in the back garden - bang on the back door to accompany your vocal warning. There's no point in going outside to tell him off - the timing will be wrong. He needs to hear the correction at the exact time he's barking. Be consistent and vocally reward their response to the correction in a soft, loving voice. Don't use their name to tell them off - that should be kept for all things good and "NO" is used too often in a normal household for the dogs to understand it as their correction word. It's too easy to fall into the habit of "Shaun - NO" or "Evie - NO" when you have more than one dog.
Using their names in connection with a correction can lead to problems with the recall at a later stage. Keep it simple and use "Uh-uh" and loud rapid clapping at the precise moment that unwanted behaviour is happening.

Hope this helps,

Kind Regards
Nicki

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BREED: CAIRN - CAIRN/SCOTTIE CROSS BREED
Gordon R Blakemore's Problem:

Dear Nicki,
I have two terrier bitches. Maisie (4) is pure bred Cairn. Flora (2) is Cairn/Scottie cross. 12 months ago Flora broke her back. She went to a specialist for 6 weeks, after which (as I was working away from home and couldgive her the TLC needed)
I nursed her for 9 months. She is now almost fully
recovered except for slight incontinence which is getting better too. The problem is that she now keeps fighting with Maisie, and last night attacked her severely with the result that Maisie is now in the vet's for stitches and X-ray
to her leg. Please do you have any suggestions as to why this should be happening and what I can do about it.
I thought it may be an attachment to me, but in this instance I was away from home. I am going to put a muzzle on her
until I can get advice on how to deal with this.
Regards,
Gordon

BREED: CAIRN - CAIRN/SCOTTIE CROSS BREED
Nicki's Answer:

Hi Gordon, Thanks for your email,

SIBLING RIVALRY
This normally occurs between two dogs of the same sex and of a similar temperament but it commonly happens when there's been a disruption in the pack. This kind of fighting is seen between two females more often than it is seen between two males.
It can be a serious situation which, untreated, can lead to both dogs being permanently separated, either in the home or one dog is found alternate accommodation. Needless to say, this is very upsetting for everybody.
The reason in this case needs to be investigated by a professional.
The knee-jerk reaction would be to say that Flora was inadvertently elevated up the pecking order by the post trauma nursing care. Of course she would have been carefully tended to ensure a full recovery but in the dog world, their instinct is to "get them while they're down". My guess is that Maisie was boss before Flora became incapacitated. Maisie, being two years older than Flora, would have given Flora all the body language and discipline that gave a clear message that Maisie the boss right from the time that Flora was a very young pup.
You, Gordon (being a human) would have protected Flora from any kind of rough play (discipline dished up by Maisie) during the protracted recovery period of 9 months.
Flora appears to have seen you as her back-up to take over the leadership from Maisie.
But this is guesswork from a distance and the whole situation needs to be thoroughly investigated. I would urge you to get professional assistance to properly assess the situation. You need help in to how to restore pack order.

Hope this helps,

Kind Regards
Nicki

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BREED:KERRY BLUE
Dianne Collins Problem:

Dear Nicki,
Hi....I have a 1 year old Kerry Blue Terrier. He is a great dog but wants to drag me all over the place. I have tried the "tree stance" where I just stand still when he starts pulling and the "about face" when he starts pulling. Neither seems to be of much help. He is better on a gentleleader....until he sees something of greater interest than me! I walk him on either a nylon collar or a Martindale collar. Any words of wisdom? Thanks!

Dianne Collins
Atlanta Georgia
USA

BREED:KERRY BLUE
Nicki's Answer:

Hi Dianne
Thanks for you email, what we have to remember is that when we go for a walk...our dogs are going for a hunt!
The very first thing I would look at is diet as if your dog is not totally satisfied with his, he will also see walks/hunts as a secondary food source. We have many ways of getting a dog to heal but I prefer it to be because they want too.
If the diet is correct you stand a much better chance.
If you haven't tried a Canny Collar I would recommend one it is a kind and effective way of conditioning him to walk at your side without having pull on his neck. (www.cannyco.com )
You also need to up your leadership with him in the home over the next few weeks whilst working on heal, use
5 minutes a day to practice sit/stay on a lead in your house but not using treats, just your voice only and get him to show you some respect. Ensure you are in charge of the front door and always lead out first.

Hope this helps,

Kind Regards
Nicki

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