Comments on: Woof! http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2005/09/28/woof Random musings of a Southern geek Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:15:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: MARCIA http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2005/09/28/woof#comment-162738 MARCIA Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:56:27 +0000 http://dougal.gunters.org/?p=664#comment-162738 I know that you already have a dog and a house, but, I just wanted to point out that we have a 1 yr old border collie we rescued from the humane society. We live in a small condo and she does fine. Minimum exercise for her is 30 min of frisbee twice a day.....we don't find that too hard. She is great with small children.....my niece is 1 and 1/2 years and she pretty much puts her hand in our dogs mouth and she just sits. We are really careful around older children because she has been known to nip at runners. We just put her on leash to be safe. She is a great dog....and we are getting some extra training to deal with the nipping at runners so I can feel a little more comfortable taking her out for walks and runs. We also take her mountain biking and she is awesome off leash. If she is chasing us, it wouldn't matter if a deer or anything ran across. She wants to follow us. It is great! I know that you already have a dog and a house, but, I just wanted to point out that we have a 1 yr old border collie we rescued from the humane society. We live in a small condo and she does fine. Minimum exercise for her is 30 min of frisbee twice a day…..we don’t find that too hard. She is great with small children…..my niece is 1 and 1/2 years and she pretty much puts her hand in our dogs mouth and she just sits. We are really careful around older children because she has been known to nip at runners. We just put her on leash to be safe. She is a great dog….and we are getting some extra training to deal with the nipping at runners so I can feel a little more comfortable taking her out for walks and runs. We also take her mountain biking and she is awesome off leash. If she is chasing us, it wouldn’t matter if a deer or anything ran across. She wants to follow us. It is great!

]]> By: Dougal http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2005/09/28/woof#comment-30829 Dougal Mon, 17 Oct 2005 14:22:15 +0000 http://dougal.gunters.org/?p=664#comment-30829 Who said anything about an apartment? We've got a house. With a huge back yard. Anyhow, we adopted a dog yesterday! He's a border collie mix (looks like maybe some setter?) with a very sweet disposition. He's a little over a year old (about 15 months), and his foster family had already trained him some. I'll post more about him when I have more time. Who said anything about an apartment? We’ve got a house. With a huge back yard.

Anyhow, we adopted a dog yesterday! He’s a border collie mix (looks like maybe some setter?) with a very sweet disposition. He’s a little over a year old (about 15 months), and his foster family had already trained him some. I’ll post more about him when I have more time.

]]> By: V http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2005/09/28/woof#comment-30740 V Sun, 16 Oct 2005 10:43:27 +0000 http://dougal.gunters.org/?p=664#comment-30740 Hmm.. Border Collie in an apartment? Umm.. Insane is the word that runs through my head. Border collies need to run and be active. If you don't have a backyard for them to run in for hours while you're away, they will probably go insane. Our old border collie would get bored easily and would destroy things. She even schredded a soda can so finely that you couldn't tell what was the rim or tab or can. As for the biting issues brought up.. They WILL try to herd anyone running. They WILL nip if they are not trained to have something in their mouths. (Nipping hurts and can leave bruises and in an excited dog situation nipping can break the skin). They also can jump. So if you do have a backyard, you'd better have a very high fence. We had a 7 ft chain link fence and our dog could clear it. I wouldn't recommend tying them up. They have a tendancy to run full boar and hang themselves or snap their neck trying to 'herd' something they see in the distance. I've seen border collies tied up, run so hard to catch something way out of the reach of their chain that they flip over and land on their backs. The dogs would do that repeatedly until let go or until they hurt themselves. Border Collies are very easy to train. Which means they're also very easy to train wrong. They are extremely smart. Personally I love Bordie Collies. I helped train one growing up, and my current dog is half border collie half lab. If you do get a border collie or border collie mix, buy some tennis balls and don't move until the dog has the ball in its mouth (this will help establish that the dog must have something in its mouth before 'herding' you). They're great at fetch, and other tricks.. just make sure to be consistant. Like kids, the dogs will test your boundaries. When the dog is excited is when it will 'forget' and nip most. So just make sure to make the dog stop and pick up its toy, before continuing. Our old border collie, I had trained to pick out each toy by its specific name (people who visted swore she 'spoke english'). I also trained her so I could use non-verbal motions to get her to do anything I wanted. Bordie collies can be great with kids. They're usually of a very stable temperment, especially the females. They are a submissive type dog unless their owner is threatened. Our dog would let kids torture it without biting. The only problem is the running. If your kid runs, and the dog isn't trained properly the kid will get nipped. Also its best to teach the kid to stop running if the dog doesn't have a toy in its mouth, that way the dog won't nip. They only nip moving targets. Ok.. I've rambled enough now. Hmm.. Border Collie in an apartment? Umm.. Insane is the word that runs through my head.

Border collies need to run and be active. If you don’t have a backyard for them to run in for hours while you’re away, they will probably go insane. Our old border collie would get bored easily and would destroy things. She even schredded a soda can so finely that you couldn’t tell what was the rim or tab or can.

As for the biting issues brought up.. They WILL try to herd anyone running. They WILL nip if they are not trained to have something in their mouths. (Nipping hurts and can leave bruises and in an excited dog situation nipping can break the skin).

They also can jump. So if you do have a backyard, you’d better have a very high fence. We had a 7 ft chain link fence and our dog could clear it. I wouldn’t recommend tying them up. They have a tendancy to run full boar and hang themselves or snap their neck trying to ‘herd’ something they see in the distance. I’ve seen border collies tied up, run so hard to catch something way out of the reach of their chain that they flip over and land on their backs. The dogs would do that repeatedly until let go or until they hurt themselves.

Border Collies are very easy to train. Which means they’re also very easy to train wrong. They are extremely smart.

Personally I love Bordie Collies. I helped train one growing up, and my current dog is half border collie half lab.

If you do get a border collie or border collie mix, buy some tennis balls and don’t move until the dog has the ball in its mouth (this will help establish that the dog must have something in its mouth before ‘herding’ you). They’re great at fetch, and other tricks.. just make sure to be consistant. Like kids, the dogs will test your boundaries.

When the dog is excited is when it will ‘forget’ and nip most. So just make sure to make the dog stop and pick up its toy, before continuing.

Our old border collie, I had trained to pick out each toy by its specific name (people who visted swore she ’spoke english’). I also trained her so I could use non-verbal motions to get her to do anything I wanted.

Bordie collies can be great with kids. They’re usually of a very stable temperment, especially the females. They are a submissive type dog unless their owner is threatened. Our dog would let kids torture it without biting. The only problem is the running. If your kid runs, and the dog isn’t trained properly the kid will get nipped. Also its best to teach the kid to stop running if the dog doesn’t have a toy in its mouth, that way the dog won’t nip. They only nip moving targets.

Ok.. I’ve rambled enough now.

]]> By: Erwin Kodiat http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2005/09/28/woof#comment-29953 Erwin Kodiat Thu, 06 Oct 2005 04:34:53 +0000 http://dougal.gunters.org/?p=664#comment-29953 Why don't you consider Doberman Pinscher? My father owns <a href="http://www.von-liphier-dobermann.com/" rel="nofollow">Von Liphier Dobermann Kennel</a>. All I know from him, if you have dobe puppies then it will grow into a very passionate dogs, that is just different from the common opinion about dobes. I think it is related to the influence from Hollywood that always describe dobes as fierce dog. It happens to sharks because of Jaws movie, and now it almost extincts. :( Why don’t you consider Doberman Pinscher? My father owns Von Liphier Dobermann Kennel. All I know from him, if you have dobe puppies then it will grow into a very passionate dogs, that is just different from the common opinion about dobes. I think it is related to the influence from Hollywood that always describe dobes as fierce dog. It happens to sharks because of Jaws movie, and now it almost extincts. :(

]]> By: Dougal http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2005/09/28/woof#comment-29872 Dougal Tue, 04 Oct 2005 14:12:03 +0000 http://dougal.gunters.org/?p=664#comment-29872 We've got an appointment to meet a dog weekend after next. He's a border collie mix (I don't know what the mix part is), and his foster mom says that he's got a very laid-back, loving personality. She considered training him for agility competitions because he's so smart, but he's more interested in snuggling than training. That sounds like the kind of dog we were hoping for :) We’ve got an appointment to meet a dog weekend after next. He’s a border collie mix (I don’t know what the mix part is), and his foster mom says that he’s got a very laid-back, loving personality. She considered training him for agility competitions because he’s so smart, but he’s more interested in snuggling than training. That sounds like the kind of dog we were hoping for :)

]]> By: Jim http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2005/09/28/woof#comment-29836 Jim Tue, 04 Oct 2005 02:38:39 +0000 http://dougal.gunters.org/?p=664#comment-29836 Please adopt a mutt from a shelter. :) You'll be happy. A dog will be happy. As to the costs - call your local vet and ask how much it costs for the first round of shots, spay/neuter costs, etc. All these are usually absorbed by shelters. Good luck! Jim Please adopt a mutt from a shelter. :) You’ll be happy. A dog will be happy.

As to the costs - call your local vet and ask how much it costs for the first round of shots, spay/neuter costs, etc. All these are usually absorbed by shelters.

Good luck!
Jim

]]> By: Melanie http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2005/09/28/woof#comment-29787 Melanie Mon, 03 Oct 2005 11:42:38 +0000 http://dougal.gunters.org/?p=664#comment-29787 Hi Being an aussie myself, I decided to answer your post regarding a dog that would suit you and your family. I also love border collies but I would never have one unless I had the time and energy to exercise such an active breed. I also know of border collies that have bitten children and have myself been attacked by a male border collie with a dominance problem. I would not recommend a border collie unless you can put the time and effort in and I don't consider them to make great house dogs. Herding dogs in general are active, but as mentioned by a previous poster - shelties are small, have a beautiful coat and are usually very steady dogs from my experiance with them. Spaniels are perfect indoor dogs too - but if you are looking for a medium-sized dog then they would be too small. I would be looking for a cross-breed aussie or border collie if you still want the border collie look, but wouldn't rule out a purebred if you are prepared for the time and training needed to have a well-behaved house dog. As for chewing - most dogs go beserk around 9 months of age chewing everything in sight as they are cutting teeth and if something else is supplied that should not be too much problem. Bored dogs will also pull washing off the line and generally go silly. Most important with any dog is establishing pack structure - with you at the top and dog at the bottom. I would also choose a female dog as they are calmer generally. How this helps :) Regards, Melanie. Hi
Being an aussie myself, I decided to answer your post regarding a dog that would suit you and your family. I also love border collies but I would never have one unless I had the time and energy to exercise such an active breed. I also know of border collies that have bitten children and have myself been attacked by a male border collie with a dominance problem. I would not recommend a border collie unless you can put the time and effort in and I don’t consider them to make great house dogs. Herding dogs in general are active, but as mentioned by a previous poster - shelties are small, have a beautiful coat and are usually very steady dogs from my experiance with them. Spaniels are perfect indoor dogs too - but if you are looking for a medium-sized dog then they would be too small. I would be looking for a cross-breed aussie or border collie if you still want the border collie look, but wouldn’t rule out a purebred if you are prepared for the time and training needed to have a well-behaved house dog. As for chewing - most dogs go beserk around 9 months of age chewing everything in sight as they are cutting teeth and if something else is supplied that should not be too much problem. Bored dogs will also pull washing off the line and generally go silly. Most important with any dog is establishing pack structure - with you at the top and dog at the bottom. I would also choose a female dog as they are calmer generally.
How this helps :)
Regards,
Melanie.

]]> By: Super Dave http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2005/09/28/woof#comment-29764 Super Dave Mon, 03 Oct 2005 06:16:48 +0000 http://dougal.gunters.org/?p=664#comment-29764 Well I have read all your blogs, but the things that stood out the most: Were 1. Primary owner, trainer is a little boy. 2. Want an easy to train dog with intellegence and good tempermant. 3. Likes the looks of Collie shape and coat. 4. Wants a dog that is Indoor/Outdoor 5. Didn't mention it but needs a dog that will naturally protect the children from the BLOB Stalkers!. Only one answer here, but first lets weed out the Lab, everybody loves a lab, but they have been over bred, and the ones in the shelter are sctitzo. The Corgi is missing half its legs and not a collie shape, nor is the blood hound or the boxer. The Golden is nice, but then everybody knows that, including the BLOB STALKER AFTER YOUR KIDS. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A CHILD BEING KIDNAPED WITH IT'S PET GERMAN SHEPHERD? I SURE HAVEN'T! You need to get a well bred GSD puppy, let it bond with your children, and send the boy and puppy to obedience classes togather. At the age of two, it will have been a pure JOY for 24 months already. Well I have read all your blogs, but the things that stood out the most: Were 1. Primary owner, trainer is a little boy. 2. Want an easy to train dog with intellegence and good tempermant. 3. Likes the looks of Collie shape and coat. 4. Wants a dog that is Indoor/Outdoor 5. Didn’t mention it but needs a dog that will naturally protect the children from the BLOB Stalkers!. Only one answer here, but first lets weed out the Lab, everybody loves a lab, but they have been over bred, and the ones in the shelter are sctitzo. The Corgi is missing half its legs and not a collie shape, nor is the blood hound or the boxer. The Golden is nice, but then everybody knows that, including the BLOB STALKER AFTER YOUR KIDS.
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A CHILD BEING KIDNAPED WITH IT’S PET GERMAN SHEPHERD? I SURE HAVEN’T! You need to get a well bred GSD puppy, let it bond with your children, and send the boy and puppy to obedience classes togather. At the age of two, it will have been a pure JOY for 24 months already.

]]> By: Scott McDaniel http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2005/09/28/woof#comment-29747 Scott McDaniel Mon, 03 Oct 2005 04:24:26 +0000 http://dougal.gunters.org/?p=664#comment-29747 Can I tell you, you are @#$&ing crazy to get a border collie. I have had unfortunate extended stays around these dogs and they are frickin nuts. They need tons and tons of activity. Even with long hikes and contstant walks I've seen these dogs tear up shoes, funiture, clothes, yeards, you name it... They are a huge chore to train and very, very strong willed and independent. Goldens on the other hand are mello, loving, happto go along for the ride type dogs that seem to get along with everyone. Need to herd sheep - sure get a border collie. Want a loving, loyal companion go Golden. Just myho ymmv. Can I tell you, you are @#$&ing crazy to get a border collie. I have had unfortunate extended stays around these dogs and they are frickin nuts. They need tons and tons of activity. Even with long hikes and contstant walks I’ve seen these dogs tear up shoes, funiture, clothes, yeards, you name it… They are a huge chore to train and very, very strong willed and independent. Goldens on the other hand are mello, loving, happto go along for the ride type dogs that seem to get along with everyone.

Need to herd sheep - sure get a border collie.

Want a loving, loyal companion go Golden.

Just myho ymmv.

]]> By: Linda http://dougal.gunters.org/blog/2005/09/28/woof#comment-29701 Linda Sun, 02 Oct 2005 16:23:43 +0000 http://dougal.gunters.org/?p=664#comment-29701 I had a border collie/spaniel mix who was a wonderful family companion - smart, protective, and sweet-natured. Perhaps because of her dual heritage, she was more placid than a purebred border collie. I had a border collie/spaniel mix who was a wonderful family companion - smart, protective, and sweet-natured. Perhaps because of her dual heritage, she was more placid than a purebred border collie.

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