highway61

Looks like you won the lottery with this rescue. An uber handsome, blue eyed tri with no known issues? I'm not you but for me the choice would be clear

My wife thought giving Sammy a lump of coal for Christmas would be funny but the joke is on her, he LOVES it!

Sometimes for up to week? My two (like most here) are goldfish so I would be somewhat concerned if they skipped just one meal. The older heeler mix, food will always get his undivided attention. The other, well he's all BC so only one thing will trump food and that is PLAY. I could see him passing on a meal if play is offered at the same time but again, a week or even just a few days not eating would concern me.

Roughies cover it almost as well as pants would

Thanks, wasn't sure if it was just me. And thanks to jovi for the link!

Is everyone else charged shipping? I'm in WA and it says sales tax applies but it wants a cc to cover the $2.40 shipping.

This has been particularly true in my experience. My own BC will run, chase with other dogs in the open but if he sees one running circles, manically at full speed he will panic and snipe the dog as it comes his way. Needless to say, he's very fixed on movement, particularly brisk motions. And its just one of his idiosyncrasies that can be managed if you know what to look for/expect that if I explained them all to the daycare I'm pretty sure they would politely say "keep him at home".

this ^ ^ ^ I had my 19 month neutered around this time last year although YMMV, "confined to bed rest" is far from how I would describe his condition upon getting him home. Not even a party hat was needed

Benefits? The only things you've mentioned are reasons to stay OUT of the off leash park. I've never understood them to be training facilities to practice trial and error for dogs you have no control over. I know you only got what you wanted to out of the links I posted but in case it was missed (I would assume keeping a dog leashed in the off leash park would qualify as a dog with "issues") Do realize that not all dogs are dog-park material. Veterinarians patch up a lot of dogs because owners insist on taking dogs with "issues" into dog parks (and, yes, there are dog-park fatalities, too). If your dog is friendly and well-socialized — and the park is full of others who are the same way — then dog parks are fine. Otherwise, you're better off finding other ways to get your pet the exercise he needs.

Seriously, you think taking THAT dog to the off leash park is being incredibly responsible? http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/unleash-your-dog-for-safer-dog-park-entries http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/15-things-humans-do-wrong-at-dog-parks (see no #5)

I have 2 1/2 yr BC who is pretty reactive to other dogs only when they are leashed but fine when all are off leash (odd but true and a work in progress). So, how about those who take their dogs into the OFF LEASH park and keep them leashed the whole time?! I'm always on the lookout for that (as well as any potential ill mannered dogs) and my boy is ball crazy so I keep a ball clutched in my had and can get his focus pretty easy with that. I can always guide him in the desired direction using that technic so not a big deal but am at a loss as to the value of keeping your dog leashed in the designated off leash perimeter. Kinda like putting on a straight jacket when walking out into the yard of a prison

Count your blessings, how many of us have BCs that want/will chase cars if we let them? (I'm one)

I have two males that do this also. But its almost always the younger, less dominant dog that pees over the older, more dominant dog. The older dog squats half the time and the younger dog will hike his leg right up next to him if I let him. I've also seen the older dog drink from a public water dish and then pull up and pee in it when he's finished drinking from the same dish! I've stopped trying to understand these odd habits and just prevent them now I know what to look for.

Me too on the rolled leather collars. Both my dogs (two roughies), the older one has had the same collar going on almost ten years now. I give the dogs a bath 3 or 4 times a year and when I do I just throw the collars in the washer, tags and all and then let them dry on their own before putting them back on. But that's the only time my boys are collar-less.

Normally, on a clear day the city skyline is pretty crisp. But not yesterday

Nothing more to add than this, "roll over" has been a very easy trick to train every dog I've had. But I've still yet to master "other way"

LOL! I ONCE tried the "kick in the ass" but it didn't work with my defiant and somewhat fearful BC. He just turned back at me growling and snapping toward the leg that kicked him (of course its not really a kick but more push from my foot). He and I are works in progress and while I'm prone to an occasional leash pop and only when harnessed, he never gets kicked.

Sorry you're going through all this. You say this is from "getting fixed"? I had my 18 month dog neutered last Fall and they were the stitches that just dissolve, no second appointment needed. No party hat either, guess we just got lucky.

You're definitely in the norm here but I will say my BC is just the opposite! He has some fear aggression that we're working on and he's okay with other dogs; if they're not NOT on leash. Yes, he's deranged, just saying...

Last year my bc saw the vet for his first annual and it went pretty much the same way. So they casually put a muzzle on him and he still didn't like the anal thermometer so the vet just said "it's ok, we'll just pass this time". He also said "your dog's not aggressive, he's just scared". That's same response I would have expected your vet to tell you but instead suggested a behaviorist?

Forgot to mention that your little white pup is very cute! Would love to see more pics as she grows.

I'm not one to argue scientific facts. But since black absorbs heat and white reflects it, one would think black/dark dogs would absorb more heat in direct sunlight than white/lighter dogs. There's not a lot but what little science we have around it indicates you don't need to be concerned. Good to know.

I'm not a puppy expert, just have my own experience to share. I've had my two year old (now) since he was 8 weeks and he's been ball crazy the entire time. He gives ball retrieving a 100% effort but usually I can only get about 50% from him when catching/retrieving the frisbee. Don't know why. Just showing him a ball will spark his interest and raise his spirit and its not anything I ever remember teaching him.

A question to all the "me too" responses...what if the OP goes for the instinct test (with little hope as already admitted) and it turns out the dog is a natural and OP finds its thrilling and pursues taking it to the next step? I would guess that's how a some folks have gotten into trialing, no?

Thanks for explaining that Liz. I guess their over abundance of intelligence can sometimes trump common sense