While I was away, my father bought my mother a puppy. She had a Border Collie back in 1988 and he lived until 2001. They haven't had any dogs since....and they've never owned cats.
Well....he got her another Border Collie....cute little pup.....but she is just letting him run wild. No boundaries what-so-ever. He was scared to go off the steps at first so he learned to go potty on the porch. Now, he is no longer scared of the steps but he still goes to potty on the porch. My dad is not very pleased with this.
I've explained to them that, just as with a child, the pup has to learn rules and bounderies but they just don't "get it". I bought him a collar the other day and when I went to put it on him he tried to bite me twice. I've never seen a Border Collie act this way. Yes, they bought him from a BYB too (I wish SO BAD I could have been here to guide them better before purchasing). She promised that he was ABCA registered but they have recieved no papers and its been 2 months.
They aren't concerned with the papers and I've already made an appt. to get him neutered (God knows we don't need any more temperments like that out there). My parents are both in their 50's and aren't as 'aware' as people like us are about the logistics of dogs. My mother has already mentioned that if he doesn't calm down that she will have to give him to us. We really don't want him because of our goats.....he will be uncontrollable with them...I just know it. I'm honestly ashamed of how they have handled this and I've tried to teach them better.......but you know how it is.......children never listen to their parents and our parents surely wont listen to us....at least not mine.
He is such a cute puppy and I just see a nightmare down the road. My mother refuses to set boundaries. I feel like the 15 minutes or so I could spend with him a day won't be enough to do any good.
My father was so fed up with him pottying on the porch that he nailed boards around the porch so the pup couldn't get on the porch....yes...they were stepping over boards to get on their own porch. Out of desperation, I went and got a collar, cable and a stake and tied the pup out. I can't stand seeing him tied up but I'm hoping he will learn to "go" somewhere besides the porch. My mom spends time with him each day. She really loves the little dog she just won't teach him. I've told them time and time again.....you can't blame the dog....he is only doing what he has been allowed to do.
They honestly don't need a dog, but its a little late for that now. My dad bought it out of guilt - WRONG thing to do.
Any tips on how to calm this pup down some so that some of us can work with him? He was born around the middle of October, so still pretty young. He is literally like a Tazmanien Devil when off that cable....jumping, scratching, running....he never stops......always under your feet.....just a (as bad as I hate to say it) very unpleasant pup. I'm just afraid he is already set to some of his ways.
Thats a tough one cause I dont think the problems with this pup can be fix if your mom and dad arnt willing to work/train the pup. Since they are going to be the ones who are with him all day long, they need to reinforce good behaviors and repremand the bad, but if they arnt willing I dont know what will happen.
Maybe building a dog run in back to put him in to do his businesse, big enough for him to run around a little incase he doesnt do his businesse right away. I would then suggest he be leashed at all times to control his behavior, the jumping and crazy running around. I wouldnt give him free acess until he learned to be calm.
Do they have a crate? They could crate him while unsupervised, or when he starts acting out and needs to calm down.
You guys should teach him to herd the goats! When he grows up he could be your helper around the farm or your parents farm. Sounds like he needs a job and something to do, some sort of direction.
Maybe one of those treat dispensing ball toys would be good for him,. Put some kibble in there with peanut butter and keep him busy and his mind going, that always wore out my dog.
Goodluck Ansy, its nice your trying to help them. Do you have any pics of this pup? I just loooove Border Collies!!!!
I agree with Kitty, ;) and Sydney most definatley. This poor pup is still very young, he stands a chance only if your parents are willing to spend time with him. Tell your mom to come join here, if she won't listen to you, she will see the advice from others too that will match what you say. What they want is that perfect B.C. they used to have and have completely forgotten what it takes to get pup to that point. Would they be willing to pay someone to come train him? Them spending time with the pup is the key as you know. A dog run would be a good idea to keep it safe at the least.
Ansy you already know all this, good luck with your parents and pup.
I would also suggest obedience classes. We have a neurotic border coliie on our class now and even after one class she started to settle down a little bit.
Do you think your Mom would be agreeable to signing up for some obedience classes? Perhaps you could do a little research to see what's available around her. It would be great not only for the pup but for her as a much needed refresher course on how to get her new furpal under control. And once he gets the obedience down, herding classes would be super and that might actually be something you would enjoy doing with him. That would help you learn how to train for that so when your goat herd grows as I suspect it will, you will be able to have a four-legged helper.
A working BC is not a "normal" dog. I read an article in which someone had tracked and measured the movements of border collies working in the hills of Scotland. The measurements included all of the spinning, circling, and whatnot. The working BCs ran about 60 miles a day. 60 miles. Every day. Our American version of the BC is probably watered down somewhat, but they are still creatures who need to be busy, busy, busy. They crave work and go nuts without it. They need both mental and physical exercise.
This dog may very well be ABCA registered. The ABCA will not register dogs with AKC border collies in their pedigree because the ABCA places a premium on working ability. From what you've described, it doesn't sound like there is anything wrong with his temperament, but rather the problem is his environment. If he really is from working lines, he isn't going to calm down and become a normal pet. He's hardwired to work.
But the situation isn't hopeless if you want to put a lot of time into this dog. For now, you can get him some buster cubes and some puzzle-type toys. You can also teach him the "find it" game in which you hide treats or toys around the house and send him to find them. You should start working with him on obedience right away and get him into a class as soon as possible. If your parents won't take him, can you or Barney? After he gets through obedience, he can start taking herding lessons, as Denise suggested. With some effort, this little guy may turn out to be a blessing for you because he'll be thrilled to help with the goats.
Please, please take him off the chain. Very bad things happen to dogs on chains.
If I lived near you, I'd help out. I love bonkers herding dogs.
When you start working with him, do so inside in a room where it's just the two of you. If you are the only thing he can see that is moving, he'll focus on you.
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"Thought is an invisible and subtle power that mocks all the efforts of tyranny." Alexis de Tocqueville
"Thought is an invisible and subtle power that mocks all the efforts of tyranny." Alexis de Tocqueville
