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Those hurt!


Roxadee
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Gracie is really getting big, she is full and beautiful, she weighs in the neighborhood of 35 pounds. Grace is energetic to say the least....the very least, she still tries to hook me with her hooks and man that is killer! My forearm looks like its gone through a meat grinder after playing, when she draws blood like she so often does I stop playing and let her know that hurts, she comes to lick my face then she is off and running again.

My question is how do I play with her without her using those hooks? She is full of life and I like playing with her, I just want to do it without drawing blood.

 

On another note, I am trying to get her to ride beside me on my bicycle, the first trial run we did pretty good, I only wrecked once. I want to do other things with her that challenge her as a Border Collie I want her to be able to use her in stinks any suggestions? Oh, Gracie is still not good with Bella but I keep them apart when Gracie starts the stare or using her mouth to nudge her. Bella isn't a dog that likes to play, ever! Grace wants to play ....always, lol go figure.

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Hooks? Dewclaws? If so, it would help to keep them trimmed short.

 

I also like Maralynn's suggestion of using a different style of play where her feet do not interact with your arms. Tugs, flirt pole, trick training, controlled fetch (she has to stay while you throw the ball, then you release her to go and get it). Etc.

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Yes! Dewclaws. Those things hurt, she is fun to play with but when she grabs you with her paws those dewclaws are what hooks you and your in for a world of hurting. Gracie in her teenage years is just about the coolest thing ever, her curiosity is endless and she is full of wonder and energy. She doesn't get along with other dogs very well except for little itty bitty dogs, she loves those, she lays on the floor and lets them run all over her, she really is something to see with little dogs, but big dogs she is worrying me, she doesn't go after them but she will take her mouth and head and bump them and I think she is nipping them. I have had Grace around different dogs her whole 8 months of living and I don't know what I am doing wrong, I am sure its something I have or haven't done.

Do all BC heat up?

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About Gracie bumping/nipping other dogs, I don't think you're doing anything wrong, and neither is Gracie. Many bc's don't feel particulary comfortable with some other dogs, and will show it. I know Tess doesn't like many dogs, although she loves many others. With her it's rude dogs she dislikes, and her being the queen of the world, she finds many many things rude about other dogs. She can be quite trigger happy about correcting other dogs, and her corrections can look like she wants to kill them, As she has never made another dog bleed, I assume that's not her intention.

I deal with it by making abundantly clear I do not agree with over correcting, protecting her from dogs I know she will not like, and giving her the freedom to express her displeasure if she does it within certain limits. As she gets to know a dog she relaxes and accepts more liberties from them. She meets new dogs on leash only, and only those she seems to like, with my eyes glued to them.

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  • 6 months later...

Most dogs do pretty well with dewclaws but some people would advice removing the dew claws whenever they get in the way of your dog's play time. However, its advisable to rid off the dewclaws when your do is still a puppy to avoid stitches. If you can manage the declaws a bit longer until your dog is trained to avoid hurting you then that would save you the cut.

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Front dewclaws should not be removed. Their structures contribute to the stability and strength of the lower front leg. Loose, floppy, hind dewclaws are another issue - they do not serve a purpose and are easily ripped/torn.

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