Advice Border Collie

Katiehound

I agree with the previous poster- Barbara Sykes is an expert in the field (both metaphorically & literally!!)
I have seen her talk & demonstrate dog training (not just BCs) and she has lots of great information & ideas. It might be worth your while borrowing or ordering one of her many books

Helen2k8

As well as points already mentioned, be aware that they often have little...quirks.
Such as shadow chasing, or fixating/obsessing on balls/toys, or sensitivity to certain noises. Don't encourage anything like that ("oh look, chasing their own tail, how cuuuute")

I have a varied routine, and actually I think that's better for mine, as she can expect-the-unexpected. Rather than having such a set routine and then something happening and disturbing the day and distressing her.

Oh - and so far only other collies and springer spaniels can wear her out by playing chase

katholicos

Helen2k8 wrote: »

As well as points already mentioned, be aware that they often have little...quirks.
Such as shadow chasing, or fixating/obsessing on balls/toys, or sensitivity to certain noises. Don't encourage anything like that ("oh look, chasing their own tail, how cuuuute")

I have a varied routine, and actually I think that's better for mine, as she can expect-the-unexpected. Rather than having such a set routine and then something happening and disturbing the day and distressing her.

Oh - and so far only other collies and springer spaniels can wear her out by playing chase

Your post made me smile....shadow gazing! Our border collie is 12 months old and in summer she did this. She is also obsessed with her balls and toys and was fixated on watching flying insects in the garden when the weather was such for them to be flying around. Her quirks and mini adventures ( she used to wiggle herself upside down to get under the settee to rummage for crumbs or to fetch her ball) gives us hours of entertainment! Such personality!

She also does the counter-surfing so i make sure to wipe them down regularly and try to keep everything out of her reach. She can even reach her head well into the sink to wash the dishes with her tongue:rotfl: not that such behaviours are to be encouraged of course.

Enjoy your gorgeous border collie companion mollsnan

krlyr

On the point of shadow gazing etc, it is interesting to note that this kind of behaviour can have medical cause so I wouldn't necessarily chalk it up to being a 'breed thing' without ruling out other potential causes. I read up on hypothyroidism a lot as Kiki suffers from very low thyroid levels (now on medication and doing great) and her symptoms were mostly behavioural more than physical - which included a couple of the listed symptoms like staring at the wall at invisible 'things'
Dr Jean Dodds has published several articles on hypothyroidism (she's got a strong interest in it) and recommends having the thyroid levels tested (thorough test of free T3 and free T4 too) when OCD-type behaviours are exhibited.
http://www.dogs4dogs.com/JR_Articles/dog-thyroid-and-behavior.htm

mollsnan

Krlyr Thanks for your very helpful post, husband will plough his way through all the petsplan info and take on board advice. Vet checked him over today prior to vaccination, and was well pleased with him, great condition etc.etc. Long may he stay like that!
Katholicos You made me laugh thinking of the dog washing the dishes!!

Again, many thanks to all who have taken time to post on this thread for me.