WetBlackNose

urge to herd, thanks for the recommendation about the frosted film. And yes, GentleLake, perhaps it is something we should install on our door as well. I guess part of my question was just trying to ascertain if this was even something to worry about, if further steps needed to be taken. My past dogs have all enjoyed 'window watching,' and as long as he is not barking or becoming agitated, I wasn't sure if I should just let the behavior go or assume that eventually he would become bored with it. Betsy, your post was really insightful and incredibly helpful. THANK YOU so much!

Hi all, just wanted to *bump* this thread as I try to determine if this behavior is something to be concerned about. I've tried blocking the windows, but now he is going to the glass sliding door (which has sliding blinds he can peer through). Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

HW treatment will not limit the dog once treatment is over nor have negative long term effects on the dog's level of health or life expectancy. In fact, depending on the level of infection, the dog's energy level may increase after treatment as they begin to recover. Left untreated, the parasite does shorten life span and have negative long term effects. I have fostered three dogs with heartworm, one I adopted. And he is very healthy and active today, years after the treatment. Best of luck to you!

I am still new to the forum, so apologies for starting two threads in my first few weeks, but I did a quick search on this and didn't see anything immediately applicable to my question. As some of you know, we've had our new guy Lucas, our first BC, for a couple weeks. My impression is he's feeling comfortable and gaining confidence (thanks all for your help in this area!). The first few days he had a few chosen spots around the house he would settle in. Now he comes to us for affection, greets us at the door enthusiastically, and loves walks. We've started some basic training and he's picked up 'touch' really quickly. I think he's adjusting well. He wasn't a 'velcro' dog, even in the beginning, choosing to lie around and watch as we moved from room to room. But now, it seems to me his is forming an obsession with looking out the window to our backyard. There are some baby rabbits who have deemed it the perfect place to start their lives, and I know he can see them from time to time. But this isn't just glancing. Lucas seems to be fixating. He will stare out the window, unmoving, unblinking, for very long periods of time if I let him. During these moments he doesn't respond to his name or even strange noises I make to get his attention. If I'm not engaging him with tricks, a walk, etc. he just goes to the window and stares. If we are training, he will abruptly get up at moments to go back and check the window. His prey drive seems VERY high (but he's not yet interested in toys - no flirt pole or toys that look like animals). We've blocked the window with our curtains and he will stare at the curtains too, when they really only let in light/shadows. Anyway, sorry for the length. Not being as familiar with the breed, I'm looking for insight and/or advice. I know BCs can be very intense and develop quirks quickly so maybe some of my concern stems from that. I'd just like to direct this energy to engaging with us more and it seems this could potentially escalate, which I'd like to be ahead of if that is the case.

Maralynn, you're right and I have to keep reminding myself that while I'd been anticipating him coming to us for a long time, he's only just been thrown into the situation. He doesn't know anything about me - wish I could speak 'dog' to let him know it will be ok! painted_ponies, loved your post. Aoife probably loved seeing those bugs light up! I'm trying to balance new, fun experiences with routine and consistency. It's hard! I would love to take him everywhere! chene, those 'breakthrough' moments are special. I'm learning this is the case especially with dogs who are more independent, or just aren't into much touching. FWIW, I think this is based on a dog's innate personality, and not just how a dog was raised. Aed seems to support that. I think I took that for granted with other dogs I've had in my life. My shepherd was true velcro and loved to cuddle (just with me) and my basset mix is the cuddliest guy in the world and could never pass up a snuggle. Lucas lies next to me when I pet him, and I'm starting to notice more affection from him, little by little. It's just that he's also fine if I'm busy to go off and occupy himself. Some dog people would love that, I'm just getting used to it. Aed sounds like a young guy who wants to see and interact with as much of the world as he can. I wonder if age, particularly the 'teenage' stage he is at right now is contributing. I bet as time passes and he matures he will begin to appreciate his relationships even more. Thanks for sharing

mbc1963, I'm curious to know whether your boy ever got better with time? My new guy seems to have similar issues. We're trying to work on it. He growls at some dogs, but not others. Sometimes on leash, sometimes off. It's been difficult to pinpoint the trigger. I think it might be related to interactions he witnesses that he thinks are inappropriate - similar to 'putting the dog in its place.' Anyway, just wondering if you might have recommendations on that. Best of luck with the new rescue! I think bringing a new dog in can be a little stressful for both parties as they try and navigate the new situation, but I've found that rescues bring so much joy!

Borasaurus, that's EXACTLY how I feel. Like I'm not meeting all of his needs. He is absolutely obsessed with looking out the window because we have some baby rabbits in the yard. He'll come over and interact with me if I call him, but the moment we're done, he is right back to the staring outside. I can't shake the feeling that I need to be doing something more for him. But trick time, walks, and some treat dispensing toys only take up so much of the day (plus I don't want to overwhelm him). It's hard though, because I really feel like I'm not doing something right, which is why he'd rather look out the window!

RemsMom, My Lucas is also new to our home (less than a month) and displayed much of the same behavior you are seeing with Mattie. Don't be discouraged! Lucas especially has been wary of many other dogs, particularly dogs who have a higher energy level it seems. He growls if he feels uncomfortable. I'm attributing at least some of this to him being anxious and cautious of his new surroundings, and of his people (not knowing if he has to protect himself). We have been taking it easy with intros to other dogs outside of the home. Inside the home, with your shepherd, I would not correct a growl, but would simply redirect ("Hey guys, over here!" Who wants to go outside?"). It can help break the tension to insert yourself, but also helps Mattie to realize that you're there watching over the situation. As far as sleeping, Lucas slept a lot his first week with us, but now has become more comfortable and likes to look out the window instead of curling up on the floor. Just time and patience with the sleep and the eating. If you're concerned about nutrition, feed other high value treats (like chicken) throughout the day. This can help with training and also let her see that good things come from you. Edit: I also just read that she had been with her foster 7 months. That's quite a while so she likely formed a closer bond in that home. She may well take a bit longer to warm up to you and show her true personality. If she's already playing with one of your other dogs, I consider that a great sign.

I just wanted to thank each of you for your posts and sharing some of your stories. I fell in love with dogs after realizing just what individuals each of them are and reading this simply reminds me of that. Rushdoggie, loved the advice about getting good at reading dogs. I too foster, and agree that it's key. Borasaurus, Kieran sounds like a dog who has a very deep bond with you. Amazing! I hope to get there with Lucas too. Time and patience. I think I already knew that, but it's helpful to hear it reinforced by your stories. We're doing simple trick training. I keep it light and short, just to build his confidence. And I'm hoping I can transfer his love of squirrels into a flirt pole - but that's a harder task so far. EDIT: D'Elle, just read your post. The indifferent foster made me laugh! I fostered a dog like that too. We had him for two months and when his family came to get him, he didn't even look back. He was too excited to leave us! Your post also reminded me of the first dog I ever adopted, Cooper. I remember getting home from his adoption and he just melted in my arms. It was such a beautiful, instantaneous connection. He was a shepherd mix, faithful and completely loyal from day one. Clearly, Lucas does not so far have that 'quick bond' temperament. I could certainly see where he might perceive that I 'took' him from a very cool acreage with lots of other dogs and abruptly changed what he knew for two months. Lucas does seek out affection, which is encouraging. But he is not a 'velcro' dog, which I thought was something very common to the BC breed. Right now, as I type this, I'm in my office, and he is downstairs - probably looking out the window. In fact, even in the house, he'll come if I call him, but otherwise, he would much rather watch the squirrels!

GentleLake, I keep re-reading your post about Bodhi, how you really had to teach him even just the basics of interacting with people and other dogs. It's really speaking to me and so awesome that you were able to do that. I'm sure an experience like that changed both of you for the better. The strange thing about Lucas is he seems to really like people for probably not having interacted with them much - he does not seem to be afraid, but instead approaches new people and sits patiently for pets! The calm and eager behavior might be fooling me into thinking he is more comfortable than he is? Geonni, loved your story, very beautiful. Each dog is so unique. Lucas seems to enjoy affection on his terms, but the moment I stop petting him, he goes and lies alone, sometimes in another room. At first I thought it was depression-like behavior, but maybe he is just adjusting. Root Beer, thank you for sharing. The bond you have with Tessa sounds very deep. I too am trying to respect Lucas for who he is. I wouldn't say he is terrified of us, just pretty indifferent. He wags his tail when we get ready for a walk (and he's really got that routine down) and sometimes jumps up on the couch for petting... but otherwise he just likes to lay by himself or look out the window. I want to interact with him, but don't want to come off as pushy or disrespecting time he wants alone.

Hi GentleLake, gcv-border, and Sekah, Thank you so much for your responses, encouragement and insight! A little more background about Lucas. He was originally from a reservation and was in rescue, in a home with quite a few other dogs, for around 2 months. He adjusted well there, but continued to be pretty laid back. His foster was really good, but because of a house full of dogs, I doubt he had the one on one interaction that he is getting with us. Lucas has been fully vetted by the rescue and my vet also did an exam and announced him to be in perfect health! So thankfully we don't have a health issue contributing to his low energy. Do you think it's too early to enroll in a class? I want to, but at the same time, I don't want to push it if it would be overwhelming for him. I love Patricia McConnell's "The Other End of the Leash" so I'll certainly have to check out the "No Age Limit" book as well. It seems to me that most BCs (and really any dogs) really respond to the person that trains with them, feeds them, and just brings fun and fun experiences, so that's what I've been really trying to do. It's just a balance between pushing too hard, too fast and pushing enough I guess.

This is my first official post, though I've been reading this site for awhile now and picking up tons of useful information (so thank you!). I'm a long time admirer of the BC breed - the work ethic, the intelligence and capability, and also the devotion BCs tend to have to their 'person.' My husband and I adopted our first BC a few weeks ago, a two year old rescue, and he is a really good boy. No behavior problems (except perhaps an aversion to some other dogs) and very gentle. I should explain he's really not your typical BC - Lucas is pretty mellow and has no ball/disc drive. He's not very interested in toys, though he does love to chew deer antlers, and he is not a velcro dog. He seems content to stare out the window and unconcerned about what I'm up to when I move around the house. But he has a wonderful natural recall and is very friendly when he does decide he wants attention. He seems like he is wants to please too and is pretty submissive. He loves walks and absolutely LOVES to chase squirrels in the yard. I think this is why he is VERY intent on watching out the window. The window to the backyard might be his favorite thing. Anyway, Lucas seems like a pretty independent guy. And while he's a really good boy, he's been hard to bond with because I can't figure out what makes him tick. I'm interested in engaging him more and letting him see that I'm pretty fun too. We've been working on training, trying to keep it fun because he will sometimes just walk away in the middle of it (bored? confused? restless?) to go and lie down by himself. But he's not super treat motivated and not into toys so it makes rewarding difficult. I've been hand feeding and taking him for long daily walks, sometimes twice daily because he seems to enjoy it (his energy level is actually pretty low). And when he seeks me out I speak gently to him and rub his shoulders, which I can tell he likes. I've tried a variety of toys (balls, treat dispensing, flirt pole) and nothing has been too interesting to him so far. My past dogs have been much more interested in me, or I've been able to figure out what motivates them. But Lucas is an enigma so far. What makes him tick? I'm wondering how each of you bond with your dog or have had similar experiences? I was kind of expecting a needier, more velcro dog, and he's been a surprise! Thanks