Post by Heather on Oct 28, 2010 13:26:28 GMT -5
This is a serious behavioural issue...I would be talking with a professional trainer. Your pup could hurt your mother badly and now that she's afraid of him she will not be able to control him. He will not listen to her. Aussies are a high activity dog and require a job to keep them happy. I've known many with behaviour issues because of their high drive to herd and their need to be active. Their need to work is part of what they are. Unlike many dogs today, they're not that far from their past, they were never originally meant to be a pet. If you talk to many border collie owners, especially rescue they will tell you that the aussie is of similar temperament and requires an active hard working family to be happy. It may be something as simple as fly ball or flying frisbees but they have to work at this. This is training that not only keeps their bodies going but their minds too. They are hugely intellegent, very active dogs. I was told by a trainer that they required a minimum of 3 hrs of work at day to keep them in line and from developing neurotic behaviours. I don't know if this is indeed the case, but have met a number of aussies and have found the only really happy ones were members of a flyball team (I've never had the privilege of meeting one that actually works in it's designated field I have met a number of working border collies) The 3 or 4 "pet" aussies that I knew though loved dearly had some serious behaviour issues that eventually required some drastic solutions.
I personally think that you need to find someone who knows the breed and it's intricasies. I know that you could work clicker training and positive behaviour work but in this case, it's not going to work without your mother working with the dog too. The attacks and that's what they've become are against her are becoming more violent. Your pup knows she's afraid (I don't blame her, being attacked while sleeping is one of the most terrifying ordeals one can suffer and he hurt her, this wan't a simple I want to snuggle you), he's working that angle and he's smart enough to work those situations. That's why it's so difficult to work with. He will be able to manipulate your mother's behaviour to his advantage. Having a trainer would make this solution much easier for both you and your mother. She's now afraid of the dog, that takes the training to a different level and not something someone should be comfortable dealing with over the internet.
ciao
I personally think that you need to find someone who knows the breed and it's intricasies. I know that you could work clicker training and positive behaviour work but in this case, it's not going to work without your mother working with the dog too. The attacks and that's what they've become are against her are becoming more violent. Your pup knows she's afraid (I don't blame her, being attacked while sleeping is one of the most terrifying ordeals one can suffer and he hurt her, this wan't a simple I want to snuggle you), he's working that angle and he's smart enough to work those situations. That's why it's so difficult to work with. He will be able to manipulate your mother's behaviour to his advantage. Having a trainer would make this solution much easier for both you and your mother. She's now afraid of the dog, that takes the training to a different level and not something someone should be comfortable dealing with over the internet.
ciao