Border Collie Update

[bpence]

In late October I posted and talked about the 6-week old Border Collie pup we had just acquired. Everyone here had a lot of postitives to say about the breed and all the info provided has been really appreciated. Now that Abby is almost four months old, I have to admit she's a lot different than I expected.

First, when people talk about Border Collies being intelligent, they aren't kidding. Probably the smartest dog I've ever been around and worked with. Work with her a few times on something and it's learned. A little positive reinforcement over the next week and it's part of her behavior. Absolutely amazing. And she can focus; even as a puppy. When we're training/working on things she's the most attentive dog I've ever seen. Keeping her busy hasn't been a problem. We have 10 acres and she quickly learned the property boundries and, for the most part, stays within the property. Occasionally the kids next door get her attention, but they are really good about bringing her right back home. She now patrols the property perimiter several times a day with our other dog and they play, run, and wrestle with each other most of the way around. She's learned to play fetch with just about anything I'm willing to throw, but still has her moments when it comes to the "release" command.

Anyway, we've found that if she can run a couple of times a day (and boy can she ever run) and do "stuff", she's perfectly happy when she has to be confined for a while. The biggest thing I've found with the Border Collie is not to be afraid to teach the dog a variety of behavioral commands and give / use them regularly. She thrives when she's doing nothing other than obeying a command. Doesn't seem to overload on learning things. Even when we're out just walking in the woods off the leash, she'll now respond intantly to the heel command and walk right at my left leg until I say it's "ok to go". Interesting.

So, the bottom line is, if you don't mind spending some time with the dog everyday and have a willingness to continually teach them "something", a Border Collie is an unbelieveable pet. Great with kids, socializes easily, incredibley easy to teach /train, coat that stays pretty clean, and doesn't seem to bark much. The only drawback so far - she absolutely insists on riding by the passenger window in the pickup. My wife has to sit in the middle. While I don't think that's so bad, she says she's "earned" the passenger seat and that [censored] dog is going to have to learn to ride in the middle!! I guess we'll see.

 

[gmason]

I'll have to extend this behavior to the Sheltie line also. Our 9yo male comes from a strong lineage and we started training the day we got him at 9wks 2days. After a few weeks on a leash, we haven't had to use it sence. Weither in a crowd or on a path alone, he is very attentative to our every word. He'll run til he drops, he knows where his bed/crate is and goes there without a word when we leave for work. Doesn't hardly ever bark unless someone drives up the driveway. He has a way to find "food" that is bad for him and has had to go the the Vets twice.

g

 

[Boondox]

On the flip side, don't get a border collie if you can't or won't take the time to provide training and stimulation. It sounds like you truly deserve this great dog. But some of the worst behaved dogs we've ever seen were the smart ones left to their own devices for hours on end locked up in some little apartment! That, especially for an intelligent breed, is neglect!

Congratulations -- and thanks! -- for being such a good dog person.

Pete
Ragtag Golden Retriever Rescue

 

[MossRoad]

While the dog sound pretty good, I'll bet it's due to the owner /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif You sound like a good dog person. Congrats on a good job with your pup. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[ChuckinVA]

I have to say our 6 yo Jack Russle Terrier is nothing like your border collie! He minds our commands when he wants to and when he doesn't... he doesn't. We still love him though. He loves to go camping and to our property in WV.Loves to be out doors!

 

[TerryinMD]

bpence,

Ahhh, yes... Bordie Collie's. We have a three year old male Red Border Collie and he is nothing but a bundle of energy.

I really love the dog but a times he can make you crazy. Border Collie's need a job!!!! And just as you mentioned, you need to work with them from the start. This is something that we DID NOT do from the beginning and the dog (along with the owners) had problems for the first year until we got him into obedience training. Caveat - the purpose of purchasing the dog was to have my youngest daughter train and work him. A fatal mistake in judgement on our part. She was not ready to take on the task and thought that it would be an easy job. Well, so much for that part of the story.

For the most part, Tip has the run of the property. We installed a hidden fence to contain him. A must as he will go where he hears people or to visit a neighbors house because he knows where they live. He occasionally goes on a walk-about when the battery dies in the collar or if the fence is malfuncitoning. Dang dog knows when he can take advantage of the situation. Talk about being smart.

Bordie collies train very well. However, you must get their attention and keep them focused on you. If you don't, the animal will just do as it pleases. We still have this problem occasionally when Tip is busy playing. That is how focused they can be!!

I highly recommend the breed, but be prepared to work with the dog. They are intelligent, love to work, very sensitive (stare at a bordie collie and they will avert your eyes!!), loyal, energetic, and fun to watch. In short, research you breeds and be prepared to address the animals tendencies. Each breed was created for a purpose and the owner is needs to address those behaviors in such a way to be able to enjoy the animal for what it is - be it a working dog, hound, etc.

Terry

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

My uncle has two border collies and loves them, he also has lots of room for them. Since our space is limited we spent a year looking at different breeds and ended up with a miniatue schnauzer that we love. Now he is six years old (hard to believe) and he still has trouble with the "release" command from time to time!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Jackie is a 5 year old Border Collie. I think she is a gorgeous animal. I have owned 6 dogs in my life I loved them all. The sum total of their intelligence isn't equal to half of what Jackie posesses. She understands multiple commands. We have to spell things in front of her so she doesn't get too excited. For instance "honey, can we take a r*i*d*e?" She'll herd anything from ducks to small children. I'll show three pics this is her today.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

This is when we first laid eyes on each other

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Border Collies are an amazing breed. I am very lucky to be owned by her.

Frank