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i have ruined my bc and do not not kno what2do.

he does absolutely nothing w/out my involvement, and he is getting crippled frm inactivity.

i do not trust any1 else to 'adopt' him, as he is used to a/c, my 2-4hrs daily ballplay, my commands, cuddles, routine etc.

but he will not even fricking pee w/out me now.

i need2 work and have a life...i love him like my son, but am 65 and hes 5, my retirement is seemingly written here.

please. help.

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First: You will get more suggestions if you re-post this in the General Discussion thread.

 

Second: What do you mean "he is getting crippled frm inactivity" (sic) when you also say that he is getting 2-4 hours of daily ballplay?

 

Third: Can you expand on your situation? It will help tremendously for board members to evaluate the situation and reply with appropriate suggestions. For example: What is your daily routine like? Do you have a fenced yard? Is he crate-trained? Does he get out much to interact with other people/dogs? How does he act when you have visitors at home? Anything else that you think will help us assess the situation.

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crate trained but do not leave him in crate, leave it opened. work 4-6 hrs a day, 2 days biweekly, 3 days bi weekly, need double to triple that amt to sustain my retiring yrs.

he does not get out for intreraction.

sleep at 9, up at 5-6, coffee, reading, walk at 7-8 for 45min to 1 hr.

work then home around 1-2. eat, watch tv w/him in lap, play off and on and do chores until dinner about 6. both eat, watch news and play while doing so(recorded).

ready for bed and shower 830-9...move his bed by mine, watch netflx til asleep. repeat.

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he is getting cripples bcz he is on his 3rd round of steroids for same. have invested in Flexamin, yikes.

i kno his needs do not jive with mine. as i love him crazily, am broke meeting those.

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fenced yard but too hot in lubbock tx to

'leave' him out, tho we do go out every few hrs for potty and kicking ball more. when visitors come, well there are not visitors as sons are in austin and im a hermit, but contractors hv come lately, he is protective at first then tries to get them to play ball. i am aware of the tragedy in this scenario.

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just now, he got a drink while i washed my hands, and when i was finished, so was he. on repeat.

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Have you tried just not throwing toys for him? Put them all away in a closet or the garbage (if you can't trust yourself :P )

The situation is created by the human and can be stopped as such. Is there a reason he can't leave the property and go for walks? The mental stimulation would do wonders for him to experience the world. Trick training is a great way to bond in a positive and constructive way. Browse YouTube for videos on how to get started teaching basic tricks (sit, down, stay, roll over, sit pretty) and build up to more challenging tricks.

 

I don't know how a person can physically throw a toy for 4hrs a day. It sounds like you are not happy and neither is he.

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hi thankyou for replying. yes i walk him daily in the morning, we live by 2 parks. the 4 hrs is broken up throughout the day, and i have resorted to kicking his balls. he has many, all named, enjoys and obviously needs the stimulation of finding each one, and hiding them etc. our bond seems to be too strong, as he waits for my involvement to do anything now. it is stressful for me to seemingly be his life. he does obey commands, and im sure would attain any degree of achievement one would desire him to have, his intelligence and needs are not conducive to my life, which is a constant guilt trip.

 

it seems unhealthy for him to be so dependent on my involvement. hes the first bc ive had, had goldens and german shepherds, he was given to me by my son at 3mos old.

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I don't know if I'm reading this wrong but it sounds to me like when you are occupied with other things, he is peacefully resting? And when you are up and about, he is eager to interact with you? If that's the case, I don't see any issues myself because that's largely what my dogs are like. When I am busy, they either nap or occupy themselves (with chew toys, watching out the window, or some other quiet activity - but usually it's just napping). When I get up, they are ready to go outside or follow me around or continue napping if what I'm doing does not look interesting.

 

Are you expecting him to entertain himself? A lot of dogs don't do that unless it's maybe chewing on something interesting. As for whether or not it's suitable weather to be in the yard, a dog by himself in the yard is not doing anyone any favors because all he will generally learn to do is bark at people, animals, and vehicles; dig holes; fixate on squirrels or shadows or blowing leaves, etc.

 

I don't understand the comments about being "crippled". Can you explain what you mean? He is a young dog, in the prime of life. If he is experiencing something that I would call "crippling" it might be due to a number of factors but not being inactive between periods of activity - that doesn't cripple a dog that has regular activity. I wish you would explain what you mean or what the symptoms are, or if a veterinarian has seen him and diagnosed something - like hip dysplasia, CCL tear or injury, other orthopedic issues due to genetics or injury.

 

You say you throw the ball for what seems like a lot of time. A lot of repetitive activity, leaping, sudden stops and turns, etc., in pursuit of a ball thrown over and over, is not necessarily good activity and can be very hard on joints and muscles. A dog like a Border Collie generally does much better with more mental stimulation balanced with reasonable physical activity. They are athletes but they are athletes with brains, and the mental exercise (manners training, trick training, mental interaction) is more beneficial and fulfilling than simple physical activity.

 

Overdoing physical activity (especially when it takes the place of a balance with mental activity) simply produces a dog that is programmed to expect and require more physical activity. And if there are any underlying physical (orthopedic or muscular) issues, it will just worsen them. If I am reading your posts correctly (and I don't know if I am), what I think your dog needs is more mental exercise; less physical exercise in the form of fetch, maybe replacing some of the fetch activity with leash walking or similar less-stressful but interactive activity with you; maybe a check-up with the vet about your concerns about "crippling" to find out what that is all about; and an appreciation of a dog that seems to have what we call an "off switch" or the ability to relax and do nothing when nothing is going on in his environment.

 

I hope you take this all as it is meant, as helpful advice and questions to better help us understand your situation and concerns so that we can offer constructive comments and advice.

 

Best wishes for you both!

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thank you so much for your advice and concern! he has been to the vet 3 times after suddenly limping and holding the same leg up, while yes chasing his ball. she isnt happy i dont get his weight down, he varies 70-75lbs. she thinks it is a sprain in that ankle. i do see now that i have programmed him to expect more physical activity, so will back off of that. i stopped throwing the ball at height to keep him from jumping, as even tho he loves that, it was the original cause of injury.

 

he seems to be 'crippled frm inactivity' becz after lying around he limps when getting up, sometimes stopping and lying back down.

 

i do talk to him all the time, which he loves, yet know that im probably just conditioning him to rely more on me. however, that will continue. unfortunately he doesnt chew anything for long, no matter the item. even bully sticks, he just eats them.

yes he lays around waiting to play and it is my knowledge thats what hes doing thats stressful. he has no interest in anythg other than me. im afraid he isnt happy either, as someone said.

 

i posted here because i couldnt see where to post at first, but really want advice from the foremost experts here, alot of advice seems overwhelming and confusing to me in current state of mind.

 

my concern is needing to work a whole lot more and then having to continue what is becoming a full time job when im home. selfish i know, but at same time worried so much about what to do with bubba.

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is it ok2 cut&paste what ive posted? thankyou and SO SORRY for ignorance here.

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right. cutting and pasting did not work. any and all help would be received with hughest gratitude.

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A reason he seems to be having problems when he gets up is that while he is resting is the time that tissues tend to swell, joints tend to stiffen, and it takes getting up and moving around to "loosen him up". But it's not the inactivity that's "crippling" him, it's the level or type of activity that's causing the problem that is most visible when he gets up.

 

70 pounds or so? I don't know how big your Bubba is but that sounds way overweight for any Border Collie I've ever met, and that's going to put stress on joints and muscles, too. Perhaps a diet is in order, along with more moderate, sensible, reduced-impact exercise. Feeding the right amount of quality food along with reasonable exercise will be the best thing for healthy weight reduction. Most foods have you feed too much (according to label recommends) and many common foods are downright bad nutrition, heavy on carbs and low on quality protein and fat.

 

I realize funds are an issue but if your vet can't diagnose the cause of the lameness, maybe you need to consider a canine therapist, orthopedist, sports medicine, or other specialist to do an exam, find a diagnosis, and suggest a plan of treatment or management to alleviate the problem.

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Hi there ~

Perhaps Eileen can move this thread to the other forum? Meanwhile, I feel for the obvious anxiety and concern about your dog. I don't know if I can offer any solutions, but I'll try.

First of all, border collies don't need to be "doing" things all day long. If he's content resting and laying around, then let him do it. If he's watching you while he lays there, is he really waiting on your every move, or are you just feeling guilty because he's watching you? My dogs sometimes lay and watch me but it doesn't mean a thing, other than perhaps assuring themselves that I haven't flown out the window. :P

However, unless your boy is unusually large-framed, 70 to 75 pounds is apt to be extremely overweight. Can you post a photo of him? When a dog is at his correct weight, when you stand over him and look down, he should have a discernible waist. When you run your fingers along his sides, you should be able to feel individual ribs by pressing only lightly. When you view him from the side, there should be a nice tuck behind his rib cage. If he looks like a sausage on legs ... sorry, but he's fat.

My own male border collie tops the scale at 48 or 49 pounds and is 21 inches tall at the shoulders. He's very fit and works, but he is a common size for a male border collie. I'll attach a photo of my boy for reference:


So again, unless your dog is large-boned, big-framed and tall, he may be 15 to 20 pounds overweight. How much do you feed him each day? And how much do you give in treats or scraps?
If your vet is unhappy with his weight, there is a very, very good chance that his weight is causing his pain and problems.

Last but not least, I have to ask ... what does your dog do if you don't entertain him? What does he do if you just pick up the toys and ignore him? It is not uncommon for people new to the border collie breed to get a pup and then fall into the idea that BCs simply must have something to do all day long. This is not - not - true. Border collies do not require constant or perpetual stimulation or exercise. All things in balance is a better rule.

If you have inadvertently created a situation where you feel obliged to entertain your dog like a 4 year old grandchild, it may be time to rethink your relationship. Dogs need down time, just like kids. And no dog requires constant human interaction. My dogs are just as happy lying around the room - (which they are doing while I type this) - as they are actively doing things with me. If your dog is content to lay around ... let him! Laying around is good. If he watches you while he does it, so what? Ignore him and he may just take a nap.

If he does not have an "off switch" when it comes to play, then now is the time for him to learn. Play when you want, then pick up the toys, put them away, show him your empty hands and say, "That's all." Then leave him alone. Let him learn to just hang around and do nothing.

Anyhow, I hope some of this helps. But please do reevaluate your dog's weight, what you are feeding him and how much. A 5 year old dog should be in the prime of his life. And instead of making his life with you a job, he should be equally able to just hang out and enjoy your company.

In summary, double-check his food intake, and if he is heavy be careful not to over-exercise, and allow yourself and your dog plenty of time to just hang out together and do nothing. Peacefully doing nothing in the company of a dog is actually very nice! :) Listen to the Force, Luke.

Best of luck!

~ Gloria


thank you so much for your advice and concern! he has been to the vet 3 times after suddenly limping and holding the same leg up, while yes chasing his ball. she isnt happy i dont get his weight down, he varies 70-75lbs. she thinks it is a sprain in that ankle. i do see now that i have programmed him to expect more physical activity, so will back off of that. i stopped throwing the ball at height to keep him from jumping, as even tho he loves that, it was the original cause of injury.

 

he seems to be 'crippled frm inactivity' becz after lying around he limps when getting up, sometimes stopping and lying back down.

 

i do talk to him all the time, which he loves, yet know that im probably just conditioning him to rely more on me. however, that will continue. unfortunately he doesnt chew anything for long, no matter the item. even bully sticks, he just eats them.

yes he lays around waiting to play and it is my knowledge thats what hes doing thats stressful. he has no interest in anythg other than me. im afraid he isnt happy either, as someone said.

 

i posted here because i couldnt see where to post at first, but really want advice from the foremost experts here, alot of advice seems overwhelming and confusing to me in current state of mind.

 

my concern is needing to work a whole lot more and then having to continue what is becoming a full time job when im home. selfish i know, but at same time worried so much about what to do with bubba.

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hello gloria and thank you immensely for your kindness in such an informative and concerned reply.

bubba is indeed overweight, while that is exasperating as he is only give ab 3-3 and one half c of food daily w/ NO ZERO treats or food additionally. it is why i originally posted that he is becoming crippled due to inactivity...his weight must b as a result of same cz duh. i feed him i and love and you food, and taste of the wild. he is on expensive non grain organic bcz i went thru 1and one half yr of skin/food allergies nd that is all that will keep his skin frm reacting to food shitola. thus $ and lack of it here.

i was advised earlier to take him to additional drs for therapy etc...cannot in any way nor will ever be able to do that as per lack of funds, sorry not sorry.

i love my bubba dearly, but as i am 65 and need desperately to work more hours than his obvious needs demand live in constant state of guilt and worry. while comments pertaining to his ability to be chill are perceived as 'helpful', i do kno the needs of my dog, and mine do not mesh with his. thus my post.

if i could euthanize him locally i would. and do not give one tiny shit ab yalls judgment k.

obviously tips ab entertaining him, stimulating him r not what i need, nor weight loss tips, he gets 3 c of kibble daily and NADA else. if his wt gain isnt due to inactivity, i am at a tot loss, as well as so shld any1 else b.

if u hv the funds to chk that out, i will discuss adoption w/u.

i entertain him bcz i am a person who is in sync w/needs of the species that r around me...my loss apparently.

he def needs to b active a greater portion of the day i have available considering the time required to meet my monetary needs for survival in my retiring yrs. that is the purpose of post. thank you for any and all concern and advice.

sincerely and with obvious or not obvious regret,

michelle

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also, bubba fllows me n2 bathrm, bdrm, evrydamnrm...and will not even go2 door2 b let out2 pee. he is completely dependent on me for his every need. i recognize that is not ok, for him or me. he needs help 2.

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If I fed any of my dogs 3 cups of kibble a day they'd look like hippos. :rolleyes: You can't go by the recommendations on the dog food bags. Their only concern is selling more dog food, not worrying about your dog's weight.

 

There could be a medical reason -- low thyroid comes to mind -- but you're not willing to take him to a vet so you'll never know. But most likely you're just over feeding him.

 

I believe, like others, that you've probably trained him to require this much exercise. My dogs follow me around the house, too, and to the bathroom, but that's pretty normal, not cause for panic. And whether you like hearing it or not, off switches usually have to be taught, so that's a training issue, not necessarily a problem with the dog.

 

But since you "do not give one tiny shit" about our opinions and obviously aren't going to give them any consideration, I don't know why we should bother to waste our time trying to help. Even more I wonder why you even bother to ask if you aren't interested in the answers?

 

As far as euthanizing him, I believe there are some great border collie rescues out your way. Why don't you look into one of them? They'll see that he gets the veterinary care he needs, the right amount of food, get him started on some behavior modification and adopt him out to someone who's willing to give him what he needs.

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didnt say i didnt care ab opinions, said that pertaining to judgment on euthanasia.

help is what was askd for. grateful for any and all concern nd advice.

thx. maakie out.

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I agree with GentleLake -- my dog would be quite overweight if she ate 3 cups of food every day. She gets closer to 1 cup of food daily. Perhaps you could start slowly decreasing the amount you feed him every day and see if that helps with his weight over time. We had to do that recently with one of our cats. It took a few months to do it gradually, but he lost the extra couple of pounds he'd been carrying and seems healthier and happier for it.

 

If you're seriously considering euthanasia or giving him up, perhaps you could contact a rescue organization that would make sure he gets any medical and behavioral intervention he needs before adopting him to a home where his ongoing needs could be met. I know of Border Collie Rescue and Rehab (based in Dallas) and All Border Collie Rescue (based in Houston). Both of them have volunteers all across the state. I adopted my Border Collie from All Border Collie Rescue and I do some volunteer work for them -- I've found them to be highly reputable. If anything happens to me, Livi will go back to them and I have no qualms about that because I know she'd be in good hands.

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If you don't want the dog anymore or don't feel you can offer him the home you think he deserves, then why should the dog die for that? There are several border collie rescues in your state, as mentioned above. Please contact them so he can get the medical care it seems he needs and will then be adopted out into a home that wants him.

 

I am a bit confused by the wording of your last post but it seems that you are willing to kill the dog because he seems unhappy with you. I just don't fully understand that. Could you explain more? Why can't the dog be given to a home that will love and care for him, the dog didn't do anything wrong. I wish your dog well, and everyone posting here is concerned for his well being and I hope you take this all in as a caring response, not a judgmental one. If you need help with finding a foster home or rescue for him, I am sure there is someone here on the boards in TX that can help you out.

 

I also agree that 3.5 cups of food is way too much. I used to feed my male border collie the same food, Taste of the Wild. He ate 2 cups per day and was a lean 42 lbs. I sure hope you can figure the situation out so that both you and your pup are happy.

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Also, I am aware that many rescues require a surrender fee to take in an owned dog. If you do contact a border collie rescue in TX and they have space for him, I would be more than willing to donate money to the rescue for the surrender fee. Please keep us updated if you do indeed contact collie rescues.

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