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Topic Dog Boards / Behaviour / SOME ADVICE PLEASE
- By bilbobaggins [gb] Date 08.10.08 13:49 UTC Edited 08.10.08 13:52 UTC
I am after a bit of advice.

My sister has just got a rescue collie. She is her 5th or 6th rescue over the years so used to dealing with associated problems. She has a Springer Spaniel who has been with her for 8 months, he came at 1 year old, a neutered male and now a female Border collie ( I am so jealous), 1 year old. The dogs have taken to each really well. Walks have been fun, she has mixed with all the established doggie group. Following all the household rules so far. BUT... She hates reflections, the shower screen, the TV, the glass doors, mirrors she wants to kill!!

Any hints and tips other than removing them or covering (covering accessible items has been done short term for safety), all  reflective items. I have loaned my crate to keep the collie confined while the house is empty or my sister has to be otherwise occupied but this is obviously not a long term solution my sister is waiting on hearing back from the rescue centre for comments but I said I would post here.

Any help will be gratefully received.

Thanks
- By Merlot [de] Date 08.10.08 14:19 UTC
I have heard of dogs being spooked by reflective surfaces, no advice really but maybe a little conditioning work. like making her sit a little way off from a mirror and giving a treat then slowly oh so slowly moving forward a bit each day till she will sit and take a treat right next to it, sorry it's the best I can think of, I think maybe a behaviorist may be needed here.
Good luck.
Aileen
- By bilbobaggins [gb] Date 08.10.08 15:03 UTC
My sister has started the conditioning and reward. I think the potential for accident is worrying her a lot as the dog throws herself at the offending object.
Mirrored wall to wall celing to floor wardrobe doors... I don't like my reflection in them much either LOL....
Thanks Aileen
- By gundoggal [gb] Date 08.10.08 16:17 UTC
put a mirror out .. and tell the dog he is good when he gets distracted away from it.. this means he will start to associate reflectons and mirrors with treats and cuddles..

sorry advice is a bit vague.. never had a dog with this problem
Soph
- By Carrington Date 09.10.08 08:37 UTC
Firstly is this behaviour territorial where she thinks there is another dog in the house?  Is she fine with other BC's no aggression problems? Both these problems will need a different route to help with so it would be good if you can rule them out.

Do you know anything about her history?  Perhaps she was rewarded as a pup to bark at her image or it was made into a funny game by the previous owners and has progressed into something more hostile. Working on the idea that it is just the sight of herself in the mirror and reflections which is somehow causing her stress I would make sure that you try to scent as much as possible, your sister could try hanging a towel she has used on her on a mirror.

But to be honest you need a behaviourist for this problem, if you don't know the reason why she is doing it, you can't fix it, and the totally wrong advice can be given as each problem needs a different solution, I honestly would get a behaviourist in.

As to safety, for now keep her out of the bedroom away from the wardrobe, and when out I would cover the TV, or keep her behind a dog gate.  Most problems can be solved, I'm sure this one can, but you need to know why this reaction is happening and unless your an expert you can only guess, which could cause more harm than good.
- By bilbobaggins [gb] Date 09.10.08 11:38 UTC
Thanks all very much for your input.
Carrington,
My sister is talking to the rescue centre to get a bit of background but as always they don't have too much. She is from Ireland is the main thing they know.She does not seem particularly territorital she is playing and sharing beds etc happy to give toys up as well as taking them, with the other dog and was fine out on walks with any dog they met, including  black dogs but not another BC. I can arrange this as as I have a friend with 3,  who are all very good calm dogs. But my sister has to travel to me, she is in Cirencester so we want her dog a bit more settled before travelling.
She was happy to be in a crate yesterday while my sister was in the house so she can be left safely when sis goes out.

They have pretty much decided a behaviourist is the only option.

On a funny note though a couple  of small mirrors has been placed on the floor for rewarding etc. Every time she barks the Spaniel has to look behind the mirror as if to say " See no one there"!!

In every other way she has fitted in really well.

Thanks for your help.
Topic Dog Boards / Behaviour / SOME ADVICE PLEASE

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