I have been an avid reader of these forums since I found the site approx. 16 months ago, upon the arrival of my Rough Collie Puppy, Ta-Ri.
Have posted a couple of times as a visitor and have received very helpful advice. Would love to hear from other Rough owners. Still have one problem outstanding :
My boy has become increasingly protective of me and goes beserk if I'm approached by a man if we are out walking. He will charge towards them and looks/acts/sounds like some attack trained guard dog. He is under my control at all other times but goes totally deaf and will not return to me until HE has decided there is no threat. I don't tell him off as I have no problem with the warning but would just want him to return on command. The upside is that I always feel very safe no matter where I'm walking but would like a little control. Any Ideas?

Hi Ta-ri
welcome to the board :D
Just wanted to mention that although this behaviour does probably make you feel safe it can be seen as threatening behaviour by the male that it is directed at .
Dont forget that under the dangerous dogs act , a dog can be deemed dangerous if a member of the public feels it is a threat :(
You really do need to work on recall as you say . Perhaps try on a long lead, so you are still in control and reward and fuss when your dog returns.
lel

I agree with lel; it us up to owners to make a risk assessment of situations NOT the dogs; you may be interpreting his behaviour as being protective; he may be just very windy which potentially could be worse. May still have the same outcome. My dogs are protective of me but I would never allow them to behave in this way and I certainly would not be amused if I was out walking and minding my own business and was approached in this manner.

There is a famous saying by a well known trainer in the UK which I agree with:

If you can't control it, don't own it!

Thank you very much for your support, especially the last paragraph...

If I understand the sentiment of this final paragraph I should remove my collie from a home where he is dearly loved and part of a family;walked three times a day thro' fields, woods, etc; rarely, if ever left alone, generally treated like the King he is ... and do what exactly? Rehome, Battersea.???

We may not all be experts, some of us just try our best, and we come to these sites for advice.

For your info. this dog has just been visited by Pets As Therapy Co-ordinator and approved. Perhaps I had better reconsider.

you dont tell him off , youve been lucky no-ones complained then-, i wouldnt like it happening to me, i doubt youd like it much either, ---you need to keep him with you, he cant go confronting folk like that !!!!!

I have a similar problem with my 13 month old OES except he doesnt try to protect me but tries to ROUND UP anyone walking near to us! a few fast circles round them and he feels he has done his thing and he comes back but for a few minutes he is stone deaf!
I know he will do no harm as he is just rounding the person up but the person doesnt know that & I am always worried they may take fright when they see him coming towards them!
I will work on the recall too to see if I can temper this behaviour although I fear it is his instinct as a sheepdog!
the long lead may help,
thanks for raising this , makes me do something sooner rather than later!

jude

We have a Rough Collie puppy she is 16wks & we will probably keep her on her leash as we have done with collies before. I am always so afraid of them running away from me & not coming back. When she is about 2 maybe we will think about unleashing but not till we are sure of what she will do. Good luck with your collie

Jean

A dog of an active breed really does need free running excersise. In my experience owning a very independant breed recall training and off lead is best started as soon as possible (in as safe an open area as you can find).

Very young puppies are less likley or able to run off far from you, as being so young they will want to stay close to you for protection.

Waiting until two years old will have you most likely with a dog that will say yippeee, freedom at last, see ya later!!!

I still have problems with my four year old bitch, who sometimes still won't come back until she is ready, and she came back to live with me at nearly 9 months. She had too much confidence. She is about 85% reliable, so I just ensure I only let her off in the safer walking areas, and when I am not in too much of a hurry.

Obviously training the recall on lead, in the home and in the Garden where you have control is the firdt step, and should be kept going along with the free off lead time.

Her baby daughter 12 weeks today will be let off lead when I go to the park, but not with her Mum!!!

If you can find somewhere safe, it's far better to let them off early, first time they go out if possible. They are usually too overwhelmed by this big new world to want to stray far from their human!!