Hi

I have a 14 weeks old Border Collie who seems to have a problem with people specifically men. We live in a terraced house with shared yard and in general he is okay with female people passing to get to their homes. Gets extremely upset and noisy however at the male occupants in the yard and won't come near them. We have tried sitting with them and him. Gave them some treats to give him and he is still having none of it.

When out were having the same problem but it seems to have narrowed itself down to just fellas. I was walking him early this morning. not many people about and two men walking their dogs tried to come and say hello and he sounded off again. A few mins later on he sat and was stroked by a young women and her son...no problems.

Any suggestions and help please.

Carden

Men adn women appear very different to dogs, their body language is often more threatening to a dog, and they have strange facial hair, wear hats etc........  Try telling your boy what you DO want him to do (such as go on his bed, sit, down etc, if he knows these commands) and reward him when he does it.  Do not shout at him to be quiet as he could either a) think you are stressed about the presence of the men, therefore they need to be warned off, or that b) you are giving him attention for the barking.

Is he going to any sort of training classes, as these are often great opportunities to get puppies used to all sorts of people and children.

I was trying to get to one I was reccomended but I don't drive and it is some distance away.

The only other one in my area will not do anything with us until he is over 6 months and aparently we miss out on their intake so the earliest I can get him in is in January 2005. Already been warned against this group.

It looks like I am down to advice, books and internet and a firm hand. Thank you for the advice.

In relation to the males at home, I have tried to call him in and get him to do something else but he is that hyped up he just won't listen. I have just started to change his food over to Burns from Bakers puppy/senstive and I hear this can help with some problems. It may make him listen a little more.

Generally he is really good we have mastered sit aswell as a few other basic commands. A few sticky moments where I fumbled his lead he came back when called. Even with the moving objects, if I get his attention then he will focus...but this 'man' thing is just floored me.

Thanks for your suggestions though I will keep trying.

Carden

It might be an idea to invest in Carol Price's book "Understanding the Border Collie" too :)

I get the idea from your post that you have got men to initiate contact with the pup (ie give him treats) ... this is not a bad thing as such, but for this to work the initial move has to really come from the pup, otherwise they are "forcing" themselves on him. When they then retreat due to his lack of co-ooperation, this is teaching him that barking works to make some scarey men go away!!!

I would suggest one thing you could do is to make life wonderful for him when men are nearby or pass by - treats, games, etc. For treats you could use liver or chicken, something really tasty. This is a form of conditioning which can get  a dog associating the very "presence" of a person or thing, with enjoyment.

I agree it is also an excellent idea to tell him what you do want him to do, as this takes the onus from the pup to you ie, he can trust you to be his leader and keep him safe.

When men come around,  you could also try getting them to totally ignore him (keep him in another room maybe so he isn't too reactive) and then get them to drop a few titbits on the floor but with NO effort from them to make contact with him. Eventually again, he should realise men bring tasty things and after some time make some sort of overture, even one step towards the men...but beware of going too fast.

Socialise him as much as possible but don't let men push themselves on him or ven try to get him to accept them, make sure uou remain in control of the situation ;)

Lindsay
X

Hi Carden,

>It looks like I am down to advice, books and internet and a firm hand<

A firm hand is absolutely what you should not be using with a very young puppy, especially one who may be reacting out of fear.  As others have said, the goal is to make being around men a positive experience. Anything negative that it associates with men will only be heightened if you are "firm" that your puppy must not react.

Stacey

I am with Lindsay on this, don't force the issue, this will be the worse thing you can do with a BC that has spooked at something.

Try and get her into a situation like a shopping centre, not too busy a time at first, where there are people about but not a threat. Make yourself static by sitting on a bench or something. You will have to be firm with the people and if anyone approaches her of either sex ask them not to touch her.  Your aim is to be as normal as possible in a busy situation, don't fuss the pup yourself either, let her come to terms with the situation in her own way in her own time.  She will probably sit under the bench out of the way but she will be taking it all in.

Away from this sort of situation do as Lindsay suggests with men dropping treats but not approaching.  She will come round, collies often spook at something while growing up.

Good Luck
Sandra

I'm also with Lyndsay - but I'd use something really 'smelly' rather than tasty - dogs habits show us they don't have the same concept of 'taste' that we do ;)  However, liver and chicken are both good 'smelly' options too :)  Remember it's possible to be 'firm' but at the same type sympathetic to the dog, so I'm talking about 'firm' as in handler confidence, rather than ' stop messing around, you WILL do this' firm..... (If that makes sense?)

I will take him on to our high street this afternoon I think. Should be the last minute rush on for school today as they go back tomorrow!

Thank you for the tips

Moon

I meant more that I am the type of person to go soft rather than working on a problem not that I was going to force anything...the firm hand is on me not the dog ;)

Carden