Border Collie

[gingchamp]

I realize this forum is meant for squirrels but my dog REALLY needs a new home!! Ive advertised in my local newpaper and on facebook but have had no response so I thought I give TSB a shot! Maybe someone here could use a herding dog or at least give me some kind of advice on how to handle him. Obi is a neutered 3 1/2 yr old border collie. He's got the most awesome personality but has many quarks! I live in town and I have a large yard but it dosent seem to be enough for him to run off his energy, his obsessive energy!! He's constantly trying to herd my kids and their friends. Even going so far as to bite them to 'get them in order'. He dose not understand that this is bad. He's obsessed with kids! If he cant herd them, he's always doing this strange staring thing. Last weekend, I decided to leave him home,to ward off intruders, while I went camping. He saw us packing up the boat so he knew exactly what we were doing and he was visibly upset when we were leaving without him. Came back next day to find that he had gone crazy and destroyed the house! He tried to chew his way THROUGH the door and the window!!!! I cant handle his neurotic behavior anymore! He would make an excellent farm or country dog. He has superior herding skills (just ask my kids). If anyone has any interest or advice, please let me know!!

[2ndHandRanchRescue]

I've worked with Midwest Border Collie Rescue - give them a call.

http://www.mwbcr.org/

[Pointy Tale]

Gingchamp—:wave123 Hi! I’m sorry about your predicament, but I’ve got a couple of questions, do you really want to rehome or are you looking for advice to correct / redirect unacceptable behavior?


How long have you had him?
How does he walk on a leash?
How does he get along with adults?
Do you correct him when he nips the children, if so how?
Does he break the skin?
Is he mainly an inside dog or outside dog?
Is he crate trained? Potty trained?
Is he up to date on his shots?
What kind of exercise does he get (daily/weekly, etc., how long)?
Can you post his picture?
How is he in the house with the children/family?
What do you do to “mentally” exercise him?
Have you given him a job/training?


It’s hard to tell in someone’s writing, but (I’m giggling a bit and hope you will too) you do know that he was bred to “herd” right? So “herding” is a natural behavior so we can’t really fault him for that too much, right? :) Not sure if you know, but they have places designed for herding dogs where they can work (herd).

Please be careful if you turn him over to a rescue and/or animal control/humane society. The last two will probably PTS because of the nipping. If you just “give” him away, make sure to ask for a rehoming fee some people are NOT nice and could not have the best intentions when taking a dog for free. Whatever your choices are, always make sure you interview the person/people you will give your rehomed animal to, get their contact information and even make them sign a contract, you just never know and it’s better to be a little safe than sorry.:grouphug

Good luck and I’ll look for your reply.
Best,

[DipityDane]

I would say Border collie rescue would be his best bet....they know the breed's quirks(there are many) inside and out and will do way better in placement than your average person. Border collies have two potentials....they can either be the most amazing experience one has ever had as a dog owner....or the most catastrophic. Border collies have an intelligence superior to other breeds, a strong herding desire, a need for mental exercise, and a highly obsessive personality. When all of these things are channeled into something productive..ie...herding, agility, flyball, frisbee, etc...the dog excels....but when it isn't...they find their own channels which aren't likely to be desirable by the owner...child herding...yapping...nipping...chewing...pacing..al l fall under this category. Once a BC has something in their head, you cannot get it out. My 13 year old female is literally obsessed with watching television....I don't mean she glances at it...or quietly perks her ears when a dog is on there...she watches tv any free moment she has....in 13 years we have not lost the remote because she made the connection long ago that it changes the channel so she know's where it is at all times. She barks, bounces back and forth, shred's toys, and bites any other dog in her way when watching TV. Her absolute favorite hands down is golf....but she will watch ANYTHING. It can be aggrevating but it's something we've just always dealt with. People know her as "the one who watches tv" and I've even had people stop by and give her old broken remotes since she likes to watch tv with one in her mouth(We've unwillingly sacrificed several to drool). Her tv watching has increased over the last couple years because she's retired from obedience and agility and tho she will still chase a frisbee, she blind and arthritic now and doesn't do much but retrieve it. She changed me as a dog owner....but I can see after having BC's...how it could go completely wrong for someone not prepared for these things. Contact a rescue in your area, a Border collie specific rescue, and see if they can help you in placing him. The won't adopt to anyone not fully aware of what they are getting in to and so your mind will be better at ease about his placement and he get's the best chance for a good, stimulating lifestyle.

[gs1]

dippitydane...amazing story ... does she still watch tv if blind?:grouphug

ging..hope you find a great home for her....:grouphug

[DipityDane]

Yes gs1! She can actually see well enough to maneuver and watch television and fetch....just not well enough to see a disc 10 yards ahead of her...or enough to keep from tripping up the stairs occasionally...I hate watching her get old....we've noticed her hearing to be worsening more than anything lately....her name is Darla....and once upon a time a whispered "Dar" would have her at your feet in half a second...now we find our selves sreaming her name multiple times before she even realizes we're calling her lol. It seem's when we get them as puppies we can't imagine them aging.:Love_Icon

[mugzeezma]

Yes gs1! She can actually see well enough to maneuver and watch television and fetch....just not well enough to see a disc 10 yards ahead of her...or enough to keep from tripping up the stairs occasionally...I hate watching her get old....we've noticed her hearing to be worsening more than anything lately....her name is Darla....and once upon a time a whispered "Dar" would have her at your feet in half a second...now we find our selves sreaming her name multiple times before she even realizes we're calling her lol. It seem's when we get them as puppies we can't imagine them aging.:Love_Icon
Years ago I knew a lady that did BC obedience. Hands down the most phenomenal breed for it. I learned a lot from her and her dogs.
I love them but my lifestyle is not appropriate for that breed.
I'm a retreiver gal :thumbsup

BTW

BC rescue is your best bet hands down

good luck

[2ndHandRanchRescue]

Yep as I said Midwest Border Collie or a BC rescue is the very best. I used to show, agility and flyball with my BC back in the day (she was from a rescue in ZepherHills FL) and they are the best - love them. Trail riding, chores, they do it all. If I wasn't so dorky and full of Animal Control rejects I'd love one again. When they were rated #1 dog it really hurt the breed since all these apartement folks were getting them and crating them. At our rescue we had so many that had gone nutty from 10 hours a day in a crate. Want a smart lazy dog - get a basset hound LOL (My basset is super slo mo) BC are the best!!!