Some light hearted news. Adopted a puppy!

[jackieandwayne]

He's gonna be the best little border in Britain (apart from my Taz).

 

I had shocking problems with Taz when I brought him home at 20 months. Biting and gawd knows what else, but today four years on he's my best buddy and good as gold. This was all down to how he had been treated.

 

Taz hadn't been socialised properly, this caused fear aggression on a high scale when near other dogs. But like I say, he'd had 20 months of this treatment, your little lad only had a few weeks by comparison, I'm sure he will be fine, but you're right to go slowly. It took me three years to get where I am today, but this was with a damaged doggie, who needed to learn to trust me. He let another collie snatch his ball straight out of his mouth this morning! Much better than ripping his throat out. I'd do it all again, I've enjoyed doing my own rehab job. (with a little help from a friend!). I use Taz now to calm down other high level aggressive dogs (all under control of course) and show their owners about staying calm whatever happens (not easy if you had a bite at anytime I know).

 

In fact, if I think of this I'll photograph it and post it - where we go in the morning, we meet loads of other dogs, lots of collies. Cyclists use the footpaths as well, so there we all are dodging each other early in the morning. All the collie owners now say "pushbikes coming" and they all sit down, and now all the other little doggies, westies, JR's and Heinz 57's, they've all started doing it as well - it looks so cool! And there hasn;t been a nasty gravel rash incident for over a month now! Mind you, whenever a squirrel is spotted, about 20 dogs take off after it in a pack! Border collies make excellent teachers you see.

 

Its a big old world and a lot for you to learn, and your little pup needs some time to teach you how its going to be for the next 15 years! Other pups are being mischievious, border collie pups are pushing boundaries and testing you, and soaking up useful information 24/7.

 

Course he'll come back to you!! (in that secure area where you test him out of course) where else would he want to be but with his new dad!

 

Don;t forget the agility course you're going to have to master about a year down the line. And then there'll be the flyball team. Still, all that hill walking ought to get you prepared for it.

 

You enjoy. X

[renegadeimp]

Yea my alfie is pretty much the same. We were told by the Rescue centre that he had never been on a lead or even outside until he was 15-16 weeks old, and had spent the majority of his time in a large training cage/crate as his previous owners didnt have enough time to look after him. The rescue centre were the first to get him on a lead, and they said he was terrified of it at the start ( he still hates chain leads and runs at the sight of them). The upside is that the owners realised they didnt have the time, and let him go before he got too big.

 

Theres a huge field around the corner from me, so tomorrow, im off to buy a half check collar, a 3-4 metre lead and going to start training him not to pull. Might be tough because he HATES being on a lead.

 

Once thats done, its time to get him to ignore cyclists or other dogs on the walk.

[snowdragon]

this is our other rescue, he is actually o/h's daughters dog, he was badly abusd and kept in a cage, did not know how to play even that he was a dog, he was apparently attacked by a dog when he was a year old and nobody helped him, he was just passed from pillar to post and even now at 7 and a half he thinks all dogs must die! He was bought up with another dog and lives with ours now but other dogs well that better not cross his path

 

[renegadeimp]

i love dalmatians. Fantastic dogs.

[Nystagmite]

What beautiful dogs you all have! My parents have two dogs. Our Spaniel cross Lab was a rescue and he was a stray. The night we brought him home, he had to be carried from the dinning room to the front room. He hated certain noises (he jumped if you sneezed) and didn't like traffic. He didn't bark for about 4 days. That was a shock when he barked that night! I wasn't expecting him to have such a loud and deep bark. We took him to the rescue centre so we could see what he's like with another dog we wanted. he stood at the gate and saw a member of staff and wagged his tail at her.

 

Our other dog is a Jack Russell. Before us and the rescue centre, he had two previous homes. He barks a lot. He doesn't like the phone either. If you leave it ringing, he howls.

[citizenB]

We had a cross border/bearded collie and we trained him as a hearing dog.

 

 

 

The only problem that we had was if the phone rang he would at first try and herd you to the phone and if you didnt respond quick enough he would nip your BTM !!

 

 

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[jackieandwayne]

Oh dear Bobcat2! But he's a beauty isn;t he? I see a guy where I go walking with two of these crackers puling an old Edwardian carriage (a light low trap like thing) they look the business!

 

Do you think your boy is the pack leader in his little group? He's not you know, because a pack leader doesn't want to risk injury or death so instructs the other members to do their bidding. So which little devil is your pack in telling him to be like this then? Or is the culprit a human pack leader hm?! LOL! Older dogs can change you know. I'd be more than happy to take him for a good walk with Taz! Anyway, what does it matter, you love him and he looks adorable.

[snowdragon]

o/h daughter has had him for same length of time as we have had our boy and in that time he has a come along way except for the dog thing, she has tried numerous things but short of getting Ceasar Milan here we are out of ideas, he has attacked a couple of dogs. He loves people, just not able to let him off like he should be for fear of what he will do if he see another dog, our dog has stood in the middle of him and other dogs as think he knows he has a problem.People say he may want to play! not taking that chance as seen what he can do, he is over weight bless him as like I say can not be let off, least he knows he is supposed to be a dog now

[jackieandwayne]

And oh yes CitizenB - Taz, when he's called to heel, he'll trot behind me, treat me like a sheep, and that can include nipping my trousers, or, if I am not going fast enough, he actually slips a paw between my feet and tries to trip me. Little sod. I tried to correct him, but the devilment in his face told me he knew it was wrong, he knew it wound me up, but sod you mum, its fun! And of course, with collies, if you make the mistake of laughing at the behaviour, that's it - they win! Still, we call it his party trick now and everyone who sees him do it roars with laughter, further enforcing the behaviour!

 

He drops his ball in a puddle right at the end of his walk, every bloody time except when its been a drought. Its my job to go and get it, and the pallaver if i don;t - he gets behind me, barks, yaps, roars, herds me like a sheep and actually pushes the back of my legs! Then just as i reach the bloody ball, he snatches it from my grasp. Oh how everyone laughs - except me!

[citizenB]

And oh yes CitizenB - Taz, when he's called to heel, he'll trot behind me, treat me like a sheep, and that can include nipping my trousers, or, if I am not going fast enough, he actually slips a paw between my feet and tries to trip me. Little sod. I tried to correct him, but the devilment in his face told me he knew it was wrong, he knew it wound me up, but sod you mum, its fun! And of course, with collies, if you make the mistake of laughing at the behaviour, that's it - they win! Still, we call it his party trick now and everyone who sees him do it roars with laughter, further enforcing the behaviour!

 

He drops his ball in a puddle right at the end of his walk, every bloody time except when its been a drought. Its my job to go and get it, and the pallaver if i don;t - he gets behind me, barks, yaps, roars, herds me like a sheep and actually pushes the back of my legs! Then just as i reach the bloody ball, he snatches it from my grasp. Oh how everyone laughs - except me!

 

It can be quite difficult to keep a straight face at some of their antics, I agree.

[jackieandwayne]

And thats the problem Bobcat2 - you have seen what he can do. Its stuck in everyone's mind, so when a dog comes near, even if you try really hard, you naturally become a tad apprehensive, he picks up on it, and he is reacting in the way he thinks you want him to. Its a toughie, unpicking this behaviour, but it can be done. I think though, since your family has witnessed a couple of attacks, you ought to try contacting the Kennel Club for a recommendation for a dog whisperer (and hope to God old Cesar himself and his teeth don't turn up!).. I say get a recommendation because there are so many people out there who think they know it all, charge the earth, and make things worse. I don;t suppose you live in Dorset or nearby do you? I have a very good friend who dedicates her life to this, at a cost of course, but then there is me, when she's done her bit she gets me to build up the owner's confidence by meeting them and making sure they are staying calm.

 

It doesn;t matter what you say, what you do with your boy, if his pack is unsettled in anyway so will he be. Calm, calm, calm, whatever you come across, and you will eventually win the day. Promise you. X

[snowdragon]

no we do not live in Dorset, we are in Cambridgeshire, he was like this b4 we got him due to previous owners not doing anything for him.We are calm with him, he knows there is a dog coming a good 5/10 mins before we do! .He is a lovely dog and o/h daughter does not want to give up on him like everyone has done, he is fine with our dog,yes they have a tiff now and then but it is over before it has started really,both dogs have been "done" were before we had them.I quite like Ceasar Milan! She can not afford a lot as she is on JSA, but has tried the bottle with water in, also stones in a bottle, etc etc, treats, distraction,

[jackieandwayne]

Well, thats a shame because I would have been more than happy to go out for several walks with you and yours - I never charge anything for helping out dogs and owners. Its a sort of hobby for me if you like, because I've been brought up with military guard dogs around me as a small child, and I have no fear of dogs or their bites. (I'm stupid and scarred as well, you know, you should see the cracker of a scar I have across one thigh!).

 

Cesars ok, but he's an American and I find them a bit cocky sometimes (sorry if I've offended anyone American!). I dislike the way he scoffs sometimes at people who have actually become scared of their own pets. He has a very valuable skill, its true, but this comes from an absolute lifetime of being around dogs and he has no fear. Not everyone can be like that, and you have to go a bit more slowly with someone who has had to deal with "an incident" and been affected by it. And its all very well watching it on the TV, but what happens if you mistakenly diagnose your own dog with fear aggression when he is actually a dominant aggressive dog? Tears before teatime. I dislike the use of rattle bottles or water bottles on fear aggressive dogs, they need calm, not to have things thrown at them. For a dominant aggressive you can use them, but never without qualified supervision first.

 

If your daughter feels she is ok with him on the lead when out, then she clearly has confidence which is an excellent start. Would she consider using a soft wrap around muzzle on him? (The chopper stopper!) Then the fear of him biting another dog is gone straight away, but remember - he feels even more that he cannot defend himself because his weapon (teeth) is disengaged. Therefore he has to rely on your daughter's judgement. Lots of calm walkies with other dogs and owners, no particular attention paid to him (sometimes concentrating too much on them puts them under pressure as well), just plenty of humans all walking and talking together. Again, again, again, until he realises this is the norm. Can your daughter walk past another dog and not even look at it when she has devil dog with her? Thats what you are trying to achieve, and eventually he will follow suit. It can take a while, but it can be done. (And your daughter will be so proud of herself and the dog when she realises she has it cracked).

 

Get her to try this little tip of my own, it worked with Taz at his very worst. I'm sure Sir Spotty adores your daughter, so they should start at home, by him having a lovely massage, and your daughter should sing softly to him, something simple she finds calming herself. This is being created in a calm relaxed atmosphere and is enjoyable to both. Next time she has to walk past a pack of dogs, or Sir Spotty alerts her to the fact that there is a dog 5 miles eastwards, she should ignore him, and start singing, walking along as normal. She'll get over other dog walkers laughing at her singing away - and I think she'll find it works. I'm sure she recognises his triggers, suddenly going on alert etc., this is when the song should start, to calm him immediately.

 

One tip for her not to do when out with him, either he is on the lead or off. Best on obviously right now, but to keep grabbing him and putting him on the lead everytime there is another dog will cause confusion and makes the problem worse.

 

If the worst happens and there is a fight - does she know how to deal with that because its a matter of calm but firm and bloody quick about it! No shouting, yelling or screaming, this fuels the fight. Lower the tone of voice and make sure you mean it. No hitting either, you could have both dogs turn on you if you start that lark. (OMG I could have truly strangled Taz when I first started out with him!). A firm grasp of the collar, keep your upper body away from the teeth, and pull the bugger out or off. Into the down position immediately, leash on, then stand in front and block his view of what he has just been scrapping with. And remember you can only control your dog, not anyone else's.

 

And then of course, after all this, there has to come time for trust - both ways. So, eventually, do you think she could walk him off lead into a pack of dogs, and then turn her back on him? By turning her back she forces him to make his own decision. Which should either be "oh hey guys, this ain't so bad after all, this is fun, can I join in?" or "mum, mum, wait for me, I'm coming, don't want no trouble mum!" When she feels she can do this - she has won and things will only get better.

 

I hope some of my little tips make sense and help you. I hate to see dogs not being able to run free, but I hate even more to see owners unable to enjoy what should be their best friend. I'm not a qualified dog handler/trainer but I do know how to enjoy a good dog! Some of the experts might disagree with my ways, but they work for me, and for some very naughty dogs who would otherwise right now be with the big doggy in the sky. I know dog whisperers charge the earth, my buddy is £120 although that is for the dogs lifetime, includes weekly use of tread mill, brush up sessions etc, whatever might be needed. And then she gets me to go out with some of them and work on the owners' confidence. But still a lot of money when you have very little. My friend is used by the local council, the housing officer told me it was cheaper to book my friend for a few sessions for tenants with bad dogs than it was to start legal action against the tenants!

 

And of course, dear little Alfie, who is the star of this thread - well, he's never going to be one of the bad boys is he? Just look at him - how could he be?

 

Well done to your daughter for never giving up on a beautiful animal.

[renegadeimp]

Couple of recent photos:

 

 

 

 

This is him asking to go for a walk:

 

This was Alfie when we first got him:

 

[Guest]

edit, just seen the name

[maroondevo52]

Great pictures Renegade, looks a sound dog, healthy and happy

[jackieandwayne]

What a dazzler he's turned into! You must be very proud of him and what you have achieved. Have you been dragged up the A frame on the agility course yet or is that little treat still to come?

[renegadeimp]

Not thinking about an agility course just yet. Trying to get him up the hills and mountains a bit more as he loves it up there. Might start training him next spring summer, but for now, im letting him have his freedom... and his frisbee (seems to love doing backflips and everything else chasing that)

[Nystagmite]

Beautiful!

[jackieandwayne]

What a lucky boy finding you as his forever home. Would you say 913 ft above sea level is a good hill? Taz loved it on Sunday, highest point on Cranborne Chase apparently, very windy, which makes him go loopy. I nearly died of course, but never mind, the dog loved it! Its like their made of elastic isn't it!

 

I still recommend every border collie owner gets dragged over the A frame! Its a character building experience - if you can get over the embarrassment of forgetting to drop the lead in front of a huge crowd you'll get over anything! Oh and ladies, never, ever, wear a bloody skirt near an A frame with a collie on the other end of your lead!

[renegadeimp]

Alfie doesnt care about the length of the walk or height of the hills, as long as he has his frisbee and im there to throw it hes in his element.

 

Hills arent a problem either as I live 10 mins from the clwydian range in north wales.

[jackieandwayne]

Lucky you living there. I suspect your hills are bigger than mine and they must keep you super fit. I could argue that we have Jurassic Coast here in Dorset, and there are some right good ole hills along there alright, trouble is the path is getting ever more unstable, and it gives me the heebie jeebies, so I don't go there any more!

 

Taz will play with a frisbie, but he's a tennis ball boy at heart. He doesn't like it when it flips back and sticks on his nose! I can just imagine your boy stretching out full length in mid air to reach that Frisbie!

[renegadeimp]

Just thought i'd update the thread with a new pic of him. He's now 15 months old and LOVES the beach.

 

[honeybee13]

He looks like a lovely dog. Ours loves the beach as well.

 

HB

[Grotesque]

Yeah! Ours thinks she's King Cnut- goes knee-high into the sea and barks at the waves. Much 'north-sea swallowing' occurs!!!