Why Does Our Border Collie Growls at My Sister?

Question: I have a 6 years old Border Collie, her name is Misty. I have to say she is very obedient and a well behaved dog. She occasionally jumps and paws whenever she is excited or hungry; otherwise she is very calm and quite. She has never bit anyone at our home or any stranger, and generally she gel along with almost everyone. However, the only bad habit she has is excessive growling. Sometimes she growls at my mum, daddy, sister and at random strangers that pass by our front yard fence.

Every time she growls at someone, I yell at her, but that doesn’t work and in fact that makes her growl even more. It looks scary but she never bites. I have no idea what to do to stop her growling habit. Please help me fix that. Is there specific training for that or am I doing something wrong?

Best Chosen Answers:

Dianne Rosenberg says:
July 17, 2013 at 12:38 pm

Trust me, Border collie are the most sensitive dogs. Positive reinforcement is the key when it comes to correcting your BC’s bad behavior problems, because she will never learn and respond to negative training. Yelling will only confuse her and it will make things worse.

I have two Border collies and both initially had growling problem, but as we started their basic obedience training and social interaction with people, they learned that this is not an acceptable behavior and as they entered in their adulthood their growling habit gradually reduced to none.

In your case, I suspect you BC is not well enough socialized. However, it’s not a big problem because your dog hasn’t been exposed to social interaction in different situations.

I’d suggest taking her outdoor in park and let her slowly interact with people and other dogs. It will be difficult to start with, but in few weeks of constant training, she’ll overcome her growling habit. If you have a park where other people come with their dogs, that would be the best place to start to socialize her more.

I hope that helps. Good Luck!

Dale Steyn says:
July 18, 2013 at 8:24 am

Its a common problem and almost every border collie dog does it until they are taught not to do so. It will take time but regular social interaction with people and other dogs will speed up the learning process for your dog.

Gordon G. Hilton says:
July 18, 2013 at 4:21 pm

Border collies are known for their pronounced and strong instincts, sense of territoriality and never let go what belongs to them are two of their aggressive instincts. May be your BC thinks that those people (your mother and sister) are getting too much attention from you and that could create the feeling of jealousy in her. I’m not sure though, it’s just an assumption.

Dogs are very sensitive and loyal animals, and Border Collies are no exception to that. I think the reason why she growls is nothing but a bit of jealousy, which can be corrected with right training.

To correct this behavior you will have to apply positive reinforcement, because yelling at her or asking her not to growl in stern voice won’t work, especially when she is eight years old. Try indulging her into the time you spend with your friends and family and let her be familiar with them, because that will help her loosen up and with time growling will reduce as well.

Roger Collins says:
July 18, 2013 at 4:30 pm

If I were you, I wouldn’t be yelling at her at all, because she could be scared or uncomfortable, that’s why she’s growling. By yelling, you’re not helping and in fact you’re making her feel more uneasy. As an owner you have to comfort her by petting, praising or rewarding instead of making things worse for her.

Think about it this way, when you get nervous, you’d prefer someone comforting you or yelling at you to stop getting nervous? She also reacts the same way. The best way to overcome is to take her out and make her feel comfortable with people around her.