alligande Posted July 13, 2013 Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 Sorry this is going to be relatively long, but I can't think of away to ask the question without starting with the back story. Currently I have an elder statesman staying with me who was the victim of domestic violence, but he is not the reason for the post, one of his attackers is. There are 9 dogs living in his house, 8 border collies and 1 lab. The pack has been relatively stable until the arrival of a long term foster bitch, who through no fault of her own has been adopted out 3 times (death in the family twice) and one realizing his health was not up to living with a border collie. She is very difficult to place as she has some horrible issues travelling in a car and all the potential homes have not wanted to put the time into helping her through this. She lived with me twice, before her last adoption 3 years ago for about a month and she got along fine with my 2 dogs, she basically ignored them. She came back to me for about 3 weeks and also had no issues, she stayed away from my elder dog who could be a bully, but loved the company of my younger dog, they played wrestled, hung out together on dog beds, just got on really well. She left me to go live in her current home as we thought another foster would do better with less dogs ie my house. She and another bitch have had some squabbles since she moved in, and any issues have been been between the two of them, none of the other dogs have involved themselves. Until 2 days ago when they turned on the oldest dog who is obviously an old man, together, and they had a very nasty go at him and did not want to back off, when a human got involved. Which brings me to the question, do you think it would be possible for her still be adopted? Or is the dog aggression too much of a problem. She is good with humans and a very quick learning which in my opinion is the cause of her issues as she learns the bad quicker than the good! Her last home loved her and took good care of her physically but I don't think they put that brain to work, so she has been using it herself. Just an FYI She can't come back and stay with me as we are currently not in a position to be able to provide long term foster care. I would like to be able to work with her, but I don't have the time to commit to her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Bordercollies Posted July 13, 2013 Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 alligande, I'm no expert. but from owning 5 BC's I can tell you they're worse than kids in learning the bad WAY quicker than the good. The fact that she got along with your dogs makes me wonder if it was just something in the new "pack" that didn't suit her particular needs. If she had been in fights, or had agression issues in every house she stayed I would seriously worry or definatley look into a family where she can be an only dog. Or maybe a opposite sexes household. Where it would be her and a dog. You don't mention how old she is, but maybe she's not too old for a working home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted July 13, 2013 Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 I don't think she is unadoptable, but I do think she needs to be separated from the bitch she has a problem with and probably now the older dog too. She'll really just need to be managed. IME when one dog decides to be aggressive to an older and/or infirm dog, it's virtually impossible to stop that aggression. Best to keep her separate from the dogs she doesn't get along with and let her hang out with the dogs she does get along with. ETA: The reason the aggression doesn't stop is usually the dog who was attacked then becomes defensive around the aggressor, so that whenever the two are in each other's presence, they are likely to start something, even if it's just posturing. But we all know that posturing can lead to worse things. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligande Posted July 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Thanks for your insights... They have been managing the two trouble makers, I have a feeling that that they got less careful because things seemed to be going well. The biggest fear was she was becoming dog aggressive, but my gut feeling is that is the dynamics of the household that is causing the problems.... And around other dogs she will be fine. The victim is a very sweet, slightly senile old man who is having a lovely time in a nice quiet house with no competition or stress, and healing very well considering how nasty he looked a couple of days ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.