Help! My Rottie has learned the Border Collie "eye"...

[CanineCoach]

My son has a border collie who comes over to play with Molly from time to time and recently Molly has learned from him to do that crouch down and stare thing that border collies do. In the yard, they will stare each other down for a few seconds and then run at each other and somewhere along the line a decision is made concerning who is going to be the chaser and who is the chasee. Very cute, very fun and makes one very tired dog.

HOWEVER, now Molly has decided to take this little game with her out on our walks. In her mind, any dog we encounter has been elected to be in the game. No one wants to face a crouching rottweiler trying to stare their dog down.

She's always had a very solid "watch me", but when this happens, it's like her brain freezes. Obviously, if I see the dog before she does we take an alternate route, but I feel like I'm just avoiding the problem. If I physically get in her line-of-sight (I usually have to add a tap on the head), I can get that stare broken and we can proceed. She is not dog aggressive, but it rightly freaks people out to see her do that posture. I'm trying to figure out if this is more a perception problem on my part ("Oh, I don't want other people to think she's going to attack their dog!") or is it a behavior problem? She's on leash, she doesn't threaten to lunge -- she continues to walk though it may take an additional "heel" command from me, but she's in this stupid-looking crouch staring at the other dog. One lady said to me today, "I hope that dog never gets away from you!" This is a new thing she's just started and I feel like I'm in brain freeze.

[brunie's mom]

Lots of Rotties do this. This comes from their herding side.
Baxter does this to me often, as part of a game...he does it to our other dog too...and sometimes dogs he is playing with. He stays still...crouches down...gives the eye...and then does the rushing thing.

See if there are any herding tests coming up in your area...sounds like your dog will be good at it.

To stop her from focusing on another dog, while out for a walk...just use the "leave it" command.

Gina

[CanineCoach]

Duh! I hadn't even thought about "leave it"! I also hadn't thought about her being much of a herder. I was spending too much time worrying about what the other people trying to walk their dogs were thinking. (All that therapy -- still trying to be a people pleaser...)

Thanks for a great suggestion!

[cally01]

Yes, this is very normal for a breed such as a Rottweiler and other droving breeds and herding breeds, pointer. A retriever will go from orient straight to chase. A livestock guardian dog should not show eye at all.

I had a horrible problem with my Rottweiler showing eye when I first rescued her. But, her predatory drift was aimed at not only other dogs but at me as well. With Athena unlike a border collie she would not just stop at eye stalk & chase she would go into grab bite and had finisher tendencies. The first time she did this was in an open field where I let her loose to run. She stopped and dropped her head and was in eye stalk mode. I started walking towards her when she came barreling at me and attacked me tearing my leather jacket. With the help of a behaviorist I was able to redirect her predatory drives to objects rather than me. I also was able to get her to imprint on my cats, but, small dogs still put her in predatory drift. I didn't have any opportunities to get her social with small dogs.

As mentioned a "leave it" command should work. With Athena my unsocialized rescue Rottie it was not as easy as just teaching a simple leave it as her drives would lead to grab bite so I had to teach the look at me command and really work with her and redirect and have her focus on me. For small dogs I just don't put her in a situation where she may be near them. Living way out in the country with 16 acres makes this very easy :0)

[CanineCoach]

Does she still run across wild bunnies and other things? We have very brave rabbits here in the middle of the city, how they stay alive, I've no idea. I would think on 16 acres, she would find a lot to chase.

[SABELLESMOM]

I realise there's much more to this than the simple answer of keeping her on at least a long lead outside. I mention it only with regard to preventing her from actually getting hold of another small animal... thus making the drive stronger and stronger with each success.

I don't like her coming at you and tearing your jacket! Yikes! Definately in a behaviorist's realm over mine. Still, teaching her that her place is "by you" always (job) -vs- off doing whaterver she wants would be a good idea.

Even with the long lead, on and treats in your pocket, call her once. Whenever she gets there, click and praise and treat. Let her wander on her lead and call her again. Repeat this proceedure every time you are out on the long lead with her.

She will learn to the "lucky sound" meand she's hit the nail on the head. She was correct in her choice! It will give her confidence and open a desire to please. Well, yes... at the time it's food motivated. Who cares? You like to get paid for doing your job too, don't you? With your dog, it will develop into pleasing YOU!

Your behaviorist might be able to add to this. Clickers are lovely! I highly recommend this type of training over any other, as it focus's on the reinforcement of only the positive aspects. Peraps, when you are further along with her, you can join a clicker obedience or agility class.

Initially, both are done on lead, until they are determined safe. Clicker training also provides a means of rewarding the dog, ie: eye contact, or following hand motion, or a down signal, while the instructor is talking. This way the dog is less distracted to do something she shouldn't.

Good luck with her. Stick to a good behaviorist.