Hi, my Lab x collie seems constantly nasty to other dogs particually at his agility class, he bark at them and eyeballs them, espesially this other female lab x collie, who stares at him too, it is difficult to stop his stares and i was thinking of  a head coller but  lot of people have said not to use it for that purpose. I dont want to move agility class, but it might have to happen, im not sure at the moment. I dont know what to do because the owner never stops her dog eyeballing back even though myself and the trainer constantly asks. It is also My dog going for her dog, and the trainer obv. blames Lou, but he is tormented. Im not excusing my dog, its just i wish this whole problem could get sorted out, please help!!
Sophie email: ahadaway_511@fsmail.net

Does this just occur at agility, or does it happen anywhere? My BC started this habit at agility training, she hated the other dogs looking at her, which wound her up so that she would just lunge and bark all the time. Unfortunately it got so bad that i stopped taking her to the class, as she had started to generalise it to all dogs, whether out on walks or at obedience classes. Since then i have worked her on socialisation and she is getting better, but i am reluctant to start up the classes again incase old habits come back. I have been advised that it is a form of herding behaviour as she is watching all the dogs hurrying around and she feels it is her job to herd them, sort of a form of frustration really, which is quite common in collies. In the mean time i have been having one to one agility sessions and she is coming on well. I must say i used a head collar at both agility classes and obedience classes and it helped a lot as i had control of her head should she want to lunge or eye ball the other dogs. From experience i would advise sorting it out now as the problem can escalate. I really regret not stopping the classes earlier now as my previously dog friendly dog has changed to a lunging menace where dogs are concerned, but i was enjoying the classes so i continued. Perhaps you could get in touch with your trainer when you are not both so busy at agility classes and discuss the best way forward.

Ideally you need to move him right away from the other dogs particularly the one he doesn't like and keep him occupied if he is not on the equipment.  Clicker training is always a good way of keeping them concentrating on you.  If your training class venue is big enough for an agility course then you should be able to put a good few yards between your dog and the offending female.  If there is only a small area for dogs to congregate then walk him to the car park and back whilst you are waiting your turn on the equipment.  If it is happening whilst he is using the equipment then you need to get him a bit more focused on you first on the ground without the equipment in the equation.

I agree with Sally - give your dog something to do that he will find more rewarding (because you come up with a reward to suit him - maybe a treat, maybe a toy) than the other dog........