We got a 2 year old Border Collie from the local animal selter a few weeks ago. He wants to make freinds with everybody. He doesn't bark when anyone comes to the house. How can I get him to be wary of strangers? Or should I be glad he's so freindly?
2007-03-05 04:09:01 · 15 answers · asked by bugs280 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Are you crazy??LOL Be glad, be very, very glad your dog is so friendly becuase it is a hassle to deal with a dog that dislikes strangers. I know I have one, and every day I wish he was more like my other dog who likes everyone. I cant bring him anywhere I go he is too on edge, he isnt mean but he is afraid and that makes him fearfully aggressive when pushed by people trying to give him attention which he hates... It took him 3 years(his whole life!) to let my best friends boyfriend even lay a hand on him and it takes him weeks, months, years to get used to new people, I hate it. I tried every kind of socialization when he was a pup but nothing worked, he just is not a people dog. he only accepts my close family and friends and nothing I do has changed his attitude. You should count yourself lucky, a dog who is friendly to everyone is a blessing, they are so much easier to handle and work with... also dont confuse a dog being wary of strangers with a dog that will protect you because they are not one and the same.. a dog that is friendly with strangers may still protect you if said strangers try to hurt him or you his packmates. However a dog wary of all strangers cant distinguish between friend or foe and you constantly have to prove to them just who are your friends because they think everyone is a foe. Leave your dog be you have only had him a few weeks remember he was probably starved for attention before that being in an animal shelter.. eventually he will start to bark at the door once he establishes your house as his permanent territory, but thank your lucky stars because your dog will most likely be very discerning and friendly to people who he doesnt know but still be able to defend you from someone who really wants to do you harm. It is better to have a dog who approaches everyone with friendship than a dog that approaches everyone with suspicion.. trust me I know.
2007-03-05 04:35:40 · answer #1 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I guess that would depend on why you got him. Did you get him to be a guard dog, for company, or because you had enough love to give to another sentient being?
I can't really see anyone getting a border collie to be a guard dog. Herd dog, maybe...
Anyway... You should be very happy. There are a lot of dogs that have been rescued or surrendered that come with a lot of baggage- trust issues, histories of abuse, former owners didn't raise them with love... Sounds like you got a great dog. Once he settles in, and has a bond with you and your family, he may show a more protective behaviour. But it may only show when it needs to. Dogs (and cats) are very good at picking up on whether or not a person is good- it may be something in the smell, or something in the vibe humans give off.
Until then, just be glad that the dog you adopted from the SPCA isn't biting, snarling, or showing other signs of a bad doggie...
2007-03-05 04:44:40 · answer #2 · answered by Paula S 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should have done some research on the breed's temperament before getting him - if you don't want a dog who's friendly to strangers, you need something else. Also, be glad he doesn't bark, most border collies are pretty yappy. There's not much room in this society for dog's who aren't friendly, especially in the hands of people with no dog experience who can control them.
2007-03-05 04:18:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you should happy he's so friendly. If you encourage the dog to not like strangers, then it may backfire and the dog will dislike people too much... as in being aggressive. Trust me, you do not want the stress of having a dog that is potentially a danger to others. Friendly dogs are great, and if you are worried about someone breaking into your house, usually the presence of a dog alone is enough to discourage a trespasser-- since a stranger wouldn't know whether the dog is friendly or not.
2007-03-05 04:15:43 · answer #4 · answered by Lansey 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Be glad that your dog is social. Many border collies are wary of strangers, but it sounds as though yours loves everyone. I have an Aussie that way, and it's nice to be able to take her out anywhere and not worry about her taking a dislike to a particular person. If you are concerned about the dog's ability to protect you and/or your family, most dogs are intelligent enough to discern between an enemy and a friend and can usually react accordingly.
2007-03-05 04:17:02 · answer #5 · answered by rally_aussie 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You need to train him not to be to friendly, unless you tell him it's alright. You can get a friend, someone that he doesn't know to well, to come over to your house in a disguise and beat on the door really hard, and tell the dog to watch em, and get it to bark. Try getting the dog riled up some as you do this, then when it does what you want, give it a treat. Make sure who ever does this, doesn't show their face, or ware any Cologne because if they do he will remember this and will think they are the bad guy.
2007-03-05 04:25:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No do not discourage a friendly dog. Train him so he behaves himself, but you want a dog who you can trust around other people. A friendly dog is less likely to get shot at by neighbors and if he ever gets out of the yard and runs off it is better if he is able to be caught because he so friendly then to be hit by a car because he runs away from everybody but you.
2007-03-05 05:18:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Collies are sociable with people. I have 10 collies that live in an extention off the kitchen.I won't let visitors to my house see them.They all fight for attention & end up falling out. I don't think your dog will bark yet because you haven't had him long. It comes with known territory & age. Be patient.
2007-03-05 04:34:13 · answer #8 · answered by Another Planet 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its not good to have an extremely friendly dog because if someone breaks into your home your dog won't do anything about it. he is already friendly its best to get a puppy and raise with no human contact except yours and your family members this way the dog will be very wary of strangers and anyone that comes within 500ft of your property. I strongly encourge you to train your dog to become wary of strangers but attack training is not a past time for amateurs, leave it to the professionals! get a dog trainer to help make your dog more aggressive.
2007-03-05 04:21:28 · answer #9 · answered by Ambegurl 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you're lucky you have a good dog. but i had the same problem, what I found worked was whenever I had company over, I'd take the dog and put him in a room away from the guests. That way, after awhile, they won't get mean, but will be a little stand offish with strangers, because they don't see very many in the house.
2007-03-05 04:19:19 · answer #10 · answered by just wondering 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋