Halting Hans's Hostility

Let me tell you what has happened. I have bred and shown smooth and rough collie dogs for 26 years. Several are herding instinct certified as well as having a championship in conformation. Hans is a blue smooth male who turned two years old January 1st. I am the breeder and the owner. Hans is not a large dog, weighing in at about 58 pounds. Hans has always been a very sweet dog and an intelligent clown. He would let himself out of his run, and then let the other dogs out until I started clipping the gates. He knows how to open doors, turn on lights, etc. He's a thinker!

Hans sired his first litter last year, and when the puppies got older, he played with them constantly. The only problem with Hans was that he did not care a lot for his half-brother Kane. That dislike has gotten steadily worse. Also in the fall of last year, Hans started crate fighting at dog shows and lunging at other dogs at the shows. Even if he was on the table, he would try to jump down on any dog passing by. The week prior to leaving for the Nationals (a few weeks ago) Hans ran his one daughter down... and jumped her, leaving a mark on the inside of her leg. The day before we were to leave, I was outside in our fenced two acres with the dogs, and Hans came from across the lot and jumped his half-brother Kane. It was a bad fight, but no one was hurt because I broke it up. I was so angry at him that I shook him and held his face up to mine and asked him what was wrong with him. I then dropped him down and took my foot and pushed him away. He growled and snapped at me. (I have put him in a "dominant down" for this many times in the past year!) I smacked his muzzle and told him NO! He growled and snapped again. I smacked his muzzle and told him NO! This time he lunged up and bit me in the face. He had to go into quarantine and I to the hospital.

I was supposed to put him to sleep when I got back from the Nationals. My vet who kept him for me for quarantine told me that they had problems with him at the clinic at first because he appeared to be very angry and resentful of being there. He fence fought with other boarding dogs, and on one occasion growled at the girl walking him. After a couple of days, though, he settled down. When I picked him up, he was petrified of me and messed on himself on the way home.

He has been doing well at home until last night. I never leave him out with the others. I go with him. Last night he jumped Kane again. I broke it up, but he just had that look in his eye again. It's causing a lot of chaos in the kennel. I've always been able to let my dogs out together. It's a requirement that we all get along. Hans's only option is to be put down if I can't keep him.... Another thing—Hans used to love to show, but now he seems very unhappy. Of course, I'm not showing now because of the liability. The vet told me to separate him where he can't see another dog....I'm concerned that when I do, he will always be by himself, and a collie is intended to be a companion animal. Plus that's not much of a life for him or me. That's why I've ordered your book and video.

(Five weeks later)

I wanted to write and give you an update on Hans and to thank you for your help. The biggest hurdle has been retraining me, and I am working on the other dogs in the kennel little by little. You were right. He is a very smart dog. The very first time I took him out on the leash to "go for a walk," taking 4 steps and doing a 180-degree turn, then taking 4 steps, etc…I realized just how smart Hans is. On the first 180 turn, he wasn't paying attention and hit the end of the leash. On the second 180 turn I ran into him head on. He had paid close attention and quickly figured out what I was doing. When I turned away from him, he swung around me and got in front of me to face me. He wanted attention. The dog is a stitch!

Hans seems very happy now. He is wagging his tail, playing with everyone and not fighting....He is a different dog. I am baby sitting Hans' two neutered sons for the next week and a half. This morning the two boys caused an argument with the girls. All eleven dogs were out, and the neutered boys were in a fight with three of my girls (they stole a toy from one of the girls). Hans ran over to jump in and grabbed his half-brother in the frenzy. I was amazed, Judy. I called his name and got his attention. Then I told him to stop and to come. He came and sat beside me. I was totally amazed at the difference in Hans....

Like I said, your training will be used throughout my kennel. I cannot thank you enough. Now I wish I could just change the attitude toward Hans of the people who knew that he bit me. My dog sitter doesn't want him there while I'm not there. I don't want to board him, so I take him with me so he doesn't suffer the ignorance of people's misunderstandings. I don't want him scolded. Honestly, I don't even let my family watch him. They don't really understand either. So you helped me with Hans. Can you help me help the people around us to understand?

Susan, Kentucky