my border collie plays with all dogs over the fields but if a dog comes in on a lead he sometimes goes for it?

Question

help!!! i need 2 know dis as it gets worrying , hes not always like this but it is doing my head in not knowing why he does it x

Answer 1

The most likely answer is that he is responding to the excited or tense energy of dogs that strain and tug on their lead. The other possibility is that he has a learned "thing" about leashes (I had a Newfoundland who had a "thing" about yellow dogs).

If it's the energy he's responding to rather than the lead, you'll notice he probably ignores dogs which are calmly sitting or walking on lead and paying attention to their owners.

To understand why your collie wants to attack, it's helpful to understand that a dogs social world is all about status. Dogs need to know who is the boss (alpha), who is number 2 and so on.

A dog pulling on a leash presents a status problem to dogs. The puller is obviously not the leader (or he would be doing as he pleased) but the human on the other end is obviously not the leader either (or the dog would be following peacefully).

Everything is made worse by the tugging, straining and pulling of the leashed dog which is ramping up his energy similar to what it would be at the onset of a dogfight.

Some dogs respond by avoidance, some by trying to take control of the other dog (walking over stiffly, arching their necks, standing perpendicular to the out of control dog and giving it "a look"), it sounds like your border collie is stepping into this unstable situation to get into the adrenaline rush of a fight. (I had a boyfriend like that, eventually I stopped going to bars and football games with him.)

What's useful for you to know is that dogs who are convinced their owner is the leader will ignore the situation unless the owner gets involved, even a dog who has a "thing" about leashes will leave it alone if they respect their boss. So, the short answer about stopping this behavior is to be a more effective leader. What it takes to be a good dog leader is close to what it takes to be a good human leader - calmness, clarity and charisma. And your dog can be your best coach. Your dog won't lie or flatter you about how good a leader you are, so you have moment to moment feedback. Cheers.

Answer 2

This is a somewhat common problem - leashes can sometimes alter normal dog communication. Usually it's a leashed dog approached by an unleashed dog that gets aggressive, though. Perhaps your dog is taking advantage of the fact that the leashed dog can't get away.

Make sure your dog has an excellent recall (comes when called) and terrific eye contact with you. This will prevent him from going after the dog. You can also have wonderful treats with you (provided he will not guard you or the food from other dogs) and give them to him as soon as a leashed dog appears and keep giving them 'til the dog is gone or off leash. He will soon look for you when a dog on leash comes by and ignore the dog.

Answer 3

This is a domination issue that your dog senses.
It can be similar at dog parks when some one comes into the play area and leaves their dogs leash on.
The dog on leash feels frightened as the all the free dogs merge upon it.
Try to inform the person who has the dog on leash to simply remove it and let both dogs be on a level playing field. Either that or call your dog back to you.
Fear aggression issues could arise sometimes from the dog on leash. Be careful, as you could even find yourself in court over issues of your dog being uncontrolled while the other was on leash.
Good Luck

Answer 4

Sounds like you have not taught the dog the word "No". Anytime a dog do something you not want you say; "No". This commands it is wrong and to stop. In time they will not do it.
Two words you first teach are; "Yes and No". You can use any two words, but, one relays it OK and the other relays it not OK.
I like using some other languages too, like "Tak for yes" and "Nie for no". The dog can learn any language or really just a meaningless word that you teach to mean Yes and No.
If my dog sleeping and I see something in the yard or where-ever, I say; "What's it", the dog jumps up and starts looking to see "What it is". When he see what it is, he looks at me, he saying; "Should I get it"? Then I will answer "Nie". He will sit down and watch with me.

Answer 5

Some dogs feel restricted and worried when they are on the lead, yet when off lead they are free to Dodge an attack or anything else.