Rescue groups try very hard to save as many dogs as possible from almost always a sure death. But even rescue groups have limits and most times can only pull (take an animal from the shelter) as many, as these individuals can care for in their homes.
The number one issue with the herding dog is that (almost) all of them are extremely smart, highly energetic, agile, love to play, and require some type of activity that provides an outlet for their energy. Simply put, most of them need a job or an activity that gives the dog and the owner fun and satisfaction. IF THESE NEEDS ARE NOT MET- 98% of the time the dog becomes bored which leads the dog to become destructive, bark incessantly, dig up the yard, might become a biter, and in essence will have become a nuisance and no longer a pet but a pest. At that point, the owner, will be tired of dealing with a dog that appears neurotic and is too difficult to manage.
1. BORDER COLLIE- These dogs are quite different from other dogs breeds mainly because their PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR IS HARD WIRED. This incredible dog comes in different coat lengths and various color combinations. The most popular color is black and white. Other colors include merle, white with spots/patches of black or brown, solid black, and red and white. Some Border Collies have been taught to follow more than 200 plus voice commands. One Border Collie in Europe can follow 500 word commands. CHASER: A Border Collie (in the USA) that is 7 years old and knows 1,022 words (nouns).
This breed was developed for herding sheep. Arguably, the Border Collie is the best all around dog for herding sheep. These dogs are said to possess the ability to make rational decisions: “think for themselves” or figure out what move to make that will result in a favorable outcome. And, as many people know, this dynamo is adept and excels at frisbee and agility. Some of the champion frisbee dogs in the U.S. were adopted from a shelter.
The Border Collie is rated as highly trainable, possesses a high degree of intelligence, and is quick to learn. These are dogs that are very sensitive and punishment or a harsh voice will get you no where fast. Good basic obedience is a must and if you do not have the time to train this dog and/or enroll the dog in an obedience class and give it plenty of exercise with a job to do, then PLEASE DO NOT GET A BORDER COLLIE. The Border Collie can become an integral part of your family. They make excellent pets and like being around people but always give them something to do: catching a frisbee, chasing a ball, herding some sheep or goats or agility for at least an hour or more per day will keep your dog happy. I can not stress enough, the importance of proper socialization and at least basic obedience combined with sufficient exercise.
The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge is shown on TV about 2-3 times a year. I watch the program each time it is aired. The dominant breed in agility and frisbee continues to be the Border Collie. The dogs, to me, are unbelievable. But so are their human owners/trainers. These dogs display a level of skill that takes years of training: The winner of the frisbee contest was a BC from Japan whose owner/trainer is just 21 years old. Human and dog worked as one. This dog performed some incredible tricks that were jaw dropping.
Where to find a Border Collie puppy/or adult dog? Look no further than your local shelter or rescue group for a BC. PLEASE NEVER BUY A PUPPY FROM A PET STORE( these puppies most of the time come from puppy mills). If you want to spend lots of money then do your homework and purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder. Never buy a puppy unless you can visit the breeder’s home and ask to see the mother and the father of the puppies. The condition of the adult dogs speaks volumes. Are they clean and free of ticks and fleas? Is the living area or the kennel clean? Does the owner have a relaxed manner and does he or she make direct eye contact when answering your questions? Has the puppy received any kind of socialization ? Can the owner produce authentic records of vaccinations? Ask to speak with the veterinarian who handles health issues for the breeder’s dogs. Make sure that you are really speaking with a veterinarian or better yet visit the veterinarian in person and ask for proof of vaccinations, de-wormings, and other health issues. Unscrupulous breeders are known to give false vaccination and registration papers. (See story of “Saving Annie” and you will get a good dose of reality from this post). How does the puppy interact with you? Do some research on the Internet and learn as much as you can about dogs in the herding group.
My rescue of sorts: I read the pets ads in the paper each day as well as the lost and found. About 6 years ago I noticed an ad for a BC to be given away. The ad said he loved to play frisbee. Why would someone give away a frisbee playing dog? They are such fun to play with and to own!!! I noted that the ad would be in the paper for a few days, disappear and then reappear. Of course that peaked my interest. Mystified- I watched for the ad for about two weeks or more. I finally called the number and the owner said she had given the dog away three times but that he was not working out for the latest adopter. She told me that he was (7) years old, loved to play frisbee, was terrified of riding in a car, and that ” we are giving him up because we are moving to a house next to a golf course.” I could see that the family had little regard for the family pet. Her five year old daughter, she said, loved the dog and she wanted the dog to go to a really good home. “We don’t want to give him up but he just can not go with us to our new house.” I thought this was a poor excuse to give up a dog, so why not, I thought, continue to live where you are so that the dog can remain a part of your family? However it was not my place nor my intent to question the woman. There was one thing for certain- she was adamant that the dog would not be moving with the family.
I had always wanted a Border Collie and even though I had four other dogs, I for some ridiculous reason thought I would be the one to save this dog from a terrible fate that the owner could not envision. I reasoned that if he had not worked our for three other people then the woman would just give him to anyone and the outcome would surely not be in the dog’s favor. So over the phone and sight unseen I said, “I will take him and give him a good home.” I gave her a brief history of some of my pet experiences and rescues, etc. and the woman seemed relieved. “A farmer has him right now. He was about to bring him back but I don’t want him back anymore. I’ll give him a call and tell him to bring him to you.” Believe me that farmer and his wife brought the dog over within an hour. I was waiting in the front yard when the people arrived in a pickup with the dog in a crate in the back of the truck. I helped the man get the “orphaned” dog from the crate and the first thing that I noticed were his eyes: wild-eyed and glassy which to me denoted utter fright: a fear of the unknown and desertion- from living in a home where he was cherished by a little girl and then suddenly going to live at different homes all within a few weeks. “Well, I’ll tell ya. This fella runs off and he barks at my wife’s cat. Won’t stay at the house. No, I didn’t put him in a fenced yard. He acts wild.” Thought he might be good company but he just don’t seem to like me. ” The farmer handed me a small bag of dog food, leash, frisbee, and a stainless steel food bowl. As the man got in his truck his parting words were, “hope ya have good luck with him. I reckon he needs patience and we don’t have none of that. Too much trouble to deal with a dog that acts just plain stupid. ” And with his parting words, he and his wife were soon out of sight. I stood in the driveway looking at a beautiful black and white Border Collie who was very traumatised. He was shaking and I assumed it was from the ride in back of the pickup as I remembered the woman saying that he was afraid of vehicles.
I knelt beside him and looked into his eyes that seemed to speak volumes: sadness, fear, trauma; the whole works of a dog that had been thrown into the unknown. I ran my hands through his thick glossy fur and stroked his head for a few minutes. I hoped with all my heart that he would believe that he was here to stay. So, I was now the owner, of a very fearful Border Collie who was probably trying to understand what the past two weeks were about and why he was no longer with the family that he had known since he was a puppy.
Great post! I too love dogs and Rocket’s story moved my heart. And he looked lovely too!
Thank you for the nice comment. I am curious- how did you happen to find my blog/post?
Through your comment on the post “CINCINNATI FROM DEVOU” by a blogger named ‘Sethsnap’. And good thing I found it!
Thank you Chinmay. I too, find blogs and people through other people’s blogs. I hope you had a look around. Not sure if someone that is a big sports fan would like my kind of blogging. It is just simple writing with most of it about cats and dogs with some nature pics and a few words from me that are not about animals. But if you like cats and dogs and want to learn a little bit about Texas then you might just like my blog.
Sure thing! And if you are a sports fan and like soccer, check out my blog. Hope you like it!
I am not into soccer but if you are wanting to subscribe I will do likewise. I just will not be able to comment since I have no idea what I would be talking about. Hope you understand.
Of course!
I especially like the lead picture. I’ve seen Border Collie sheep herding demonstrations at Shakertown in KY.
Thank you for the comment about Rocket’s photo. That picture is one of my all time favorites. I think it is good because it shows movement and it has backlighting that highlights his shinhy fur. I have never seen a collie/sheep demo.
I am sure Rocket loved you dearly, Yvonne. He could feel your love.
Thank you Kathy. I want to believe that he did. He was such a handsome boy, even as an old dog. Thanks for taking a look at his story.
It’s hard to lose a dear old friend like Rocket. I always feel grateful that I get to enjoy our dogs for however long they are with me. Still, I hate to see them go.
That was the fastest response that I have ever received after commenting on someone’s blog. Thank you for taking a look and for your comment.
It’s always fun to meet someone new.
I also like “blogland” for meeting others who might have a few or a lot of shared interests.
Thanks for the comment. It is true that our pets do not live as long as we would like. But their company is some of the best and at times of stress or sadness our pets provide us with the best comfort.
No doubt.
I enjoyed reading about Border Collies… I’ve seen so many and while all dogs and breeds are precious… I’ll definitely think of this post next time I see one.
Thank for having a look at my blog and reading about the border collie.
Years ago we had a Collie – not Border. She belonged to my boss. She had been hit by a car, and had surgery on her hip. He asked since we lived on a farm if we would take her, which we did. She lived to an old age.
Thank you for a heart warming story of the collie that became your dog. Collies, of any kind, I think are very smart. They are super sensitive to people’s emotions and needs. Glad you had a look at my blog. Hope you will view again.
I am glad he came to heaven at last. First with you and then his last heaven.
Thank you for the lovely comment. I apreciate that you took the time to look and read.
I renamed her Ariel: new house, new master, new country…new name!
I love clicker training because it is based on positive reinforcement. A dog is never punished or intimidated in any way. If the animal does something wrong, you simply redirect it to an appropriate behavior.
The very first behaviors I started training were calmness, no jumping up, no mugging of the hand for food. Right now I’m working on ‘sit.’ She is not forced to sit, nor is she manhandled in any way; she offers the sit of her own accord and she is rewarded for that behavior–then she gets a ‘lightbulb’ moment. –oh, he wants me to sit. This is a great method. Once they learn the behavior you add the verbal cue.
And, by the way, you can start clicker training at any age–it doesn’t have to be done with a puppy.
Thanks for. infor about Ariel I think that wss a was a good ideaa to change her name. I thimk I will give clickers training a try. Sounds like it migtht be fun.
Her breeder is actually a very lovely woman. And even though many animals are in her care, she had a soft spot for Ariel (probably due to her diminutive size). Pampered she was–and pampered she shall be!
Rocket would have loved clicker training (since Border Collies, as you know, are so intelligent).
Thanks for the reply Prospero. So nice to learn that Ariel was pampered. Had she been named Ariel by the breeder?
You are right about Rocket and clicker training. I wish that I could go back in time. I had little time for working with the dogs, My work was so demanding and on my two days off I had to rest on the first day and then work like crazy to do errands. I worked as a registered nurse (35 years) for veterans admionistration which is one of the branches of the government. My retirement check comes from the US treasury. I hope and pray our government does not go broke or collapse. Sorry to get so side tracked.
Ariel is doing very well. I think she’s really enjoying her new diet. She had salmon for lunch and boiled chicken and turnip for dinner (Angie loved turnip!)–I bet she never had such delights in Montana. Our clicker training is going very well. She is a great student. She doesn’t like toys, but she likes to play with blankets–so blankets it is; we play tug-of-war. She’s very fast on the stairs and very quiet. I never hear her, but I know that she’s at my feet–it’s a given. She barks at the television and at laundry baskets! She’s just so sweet. Vet care is quite good on the island.
Naturally I’ll be posting pictures of her regularly on my blog.
Such a lucky dog. The diet sounds very good. All vegetables with the exception of onion are good for dogs. Maybe there are more on the not to feed list. I think garlic if given in small quantities is ok. Clicker training is very nice. I never used it and wish that I had. I doubt that Ariel had much human interaction. She was probably in an outdoor building with other dogs. But maybe not. I believe that she is relieved to have a human that loves her. I will look forward to more posted pictures of her. I know the pics will be very good. Also it is good to know that you have access to good veterinary care.
Thank you for re-posting. The Border Collie is one of my favorite breeds. I’m certain that Rocket left a huge hole in your heart when he passed away. You didn’t have him since puppyhood, but you gave him a great life the time you had him. I’m sure that you think of him and the golf cart often.
Thanks for the comment, Prospero. Yes, I think of him every time I get on the cart. I have 2 smaller dogs that ride with me now. They are also rescues.
If you have the time I would like to hear about Ariel and what all she does. You could put that in a post. I think it would attract a lot of comments. If not, just pick a dog post and tell me how she is. Or if you do not care to write about her that is okay as well.
Do you have access to good veterinary care on the island?
Interesting post, I learn so much about dogs from your blog! Nice pictures of Rocket too 🙂
I appreciate your nice comment. I’ll make future dog stories or whatever, shorter.
Interesting post and the photos are great 🙂
Thanks so much. I appreciate your comment. I need to shorten that post.
Thanks for posting the story of Rocket. Very heartwarming. You are an angel o these wonderful dogs.
Thank you Andrew. I’m afraid that is way 2 long and I need to shorten it quite a bit. Rocket was one of a kind. I can picture in my mind him sitting on that cart that he loved so much.