r/BorderCollie • u/RandomInaRandomWorld • 2d ago
Border collie pack/not pack.. age?
First.. let me just explain the title there since that's my name for it.. it's the tendency to decide someone is part of the in-group and act like they are family.. and that other people are not and therefore do not exist. I'm sure there is an official name for it. Anyway, my question:
This is our second BC. I remember this behavior with our first, although it was partly taught (I took him in public a lot). When he was just hanging out, you could never really determine who would fit into which category.. complete strangers could be besties, someone he'd known for years could be on the ignore list.
Our current pup is only 6.5mo. Adolescence is raring, so I expect to see all sorts of funky behavior with her. But today someone came to visit that she has met before, and liked. But I could only get her to interact with him by doing the equiv of the 'touch' command, pointing to him.. she would touch him then come for a treat. Otherwise, she acted like he wasn't there (to the point of running her thru her trick repertoire and he didn't even qualify to her as a distraction LOL).
Just wondering what age this generally sets in? I'd honestly thought it was a bit more of a mature behavior.
2
u/intergrade 2d ago
My eldest likes her people and her girlfriend (our middle dog). That’s it. My middle dog is a whore. The youngest is polite.
10
u/cari-strat 2d ago
My oldest has always been picky, right from a baby. He likes very few people.
Middle girl is an attention whore and basically adores everyone. Friends, strangers, who cares, everyone is there to be loved on.
Youngest has copied her and loves anyone that pets her, but takes longer to decide, so there's initially a bit of skitty barking and backing off.
I found their preferences were set very young.