Cricket's mom

Looks like Susan Garrett is offering free guest passes to the Recallers course http://www.brilliantrecalls.com/freecallers-sneak-peak.html I have not taken it before, so I can't speak to it, but plan on checking it out!

Saw this on pinterest and thought I would share! I'm guessing a determined dog might chew through the trellis http://www.imaginemechanix.com/2013/07/pet-barrier/

I really think it was easier to pick a dog before I knew anything about dogs. Which sounds weird, but I didn’t have all of the anxiety over making “the wrong choice”. One of the first dogs I adopted that was “mine” became highly reactive and fearful towards dogs when she hit adolescence. She also taught me a ton. I even ended up assisting with dog training classes for years and met some great friends doing so. She was my heart dog, but now I over analyze every choice. I look for their issues- what if they are this or that. Adopting my current dog, Cricket, was a bit of an impulse, and I broke every rule I had. I didn’t want a female. I didn’t want a puppy. I didn’t want to potty train a puppy during winter in Wisconsin! Oh I had been looking for a dog, but it seemed like I was a second too late for every dog I was interested in, and I was getting frustrated. She popped up online late on a Thursday, 30 minutes before the shelter was closing, and I raced down to put in an application. She would be spayed Friday, picked up Saturday, so not much time to be rational about things. Medically she was a mess. I kept telling myself I should not be getting this messed up puppy… and she was listed as a BC mix to boot! I have owned and trained several dogs, but I had never owned a border collie. I lurked on this board reading everyone’s horror stories, thinking what in the world am I doing!? But I took her home. I knew I wanted a recue dog, and a puppy was going to be a bit of a crap shoot anyway. Fast forward 7 months later and I am glad I did. I definitely thought about returning that teething, bitey, monster puppy a few times. But we have gotten through some tough times, and though we have a long way to go, and a lot to learn, I can also see that glimmer of what a great dog she will be (and is).

My English Shepherd is afraid of all sorts of bells and buzzer noises- but not all of them. School bells, elevator bings, the wrong answer buzzer on game shows are all scary. But he doesn’t care one bit about the buzzer in a hockey or basketball game. The microwave or oven timer is just fine. I also thought for awhile that he was afraid of bread bags. Then I realized getting out the bread often happens before using the toaster oven, which does make a low buzzing sound when it cycles.

Big Fluffy Dog Rescue recently rescued BC mixes from a hoarding case. I believe they foster and adopt out in the New England area. Not sure if all are posted to be adopted yet. http://virtualfluffies.com/2015/04/19/the-border-collie-hoarding-case/

I just went through this with my 8 month old, Cricket, who I adopted at 4 months. Boy those first two months were rough! She did the feet nipping and mouthing on my hands and arms, jumping and grabbing clothes… What I found worked best for me was a low growly OUCH followed by me leaving the room and shutting the door between us. She did not like it when I left and would usually wait outside the door. It felt like she was never going to stop, but when she was about 6 months, it got a lot better- so hang in there!