Roxadee

Urge to herd and D'Elle, your both right, no question about it, your both right. I will tell her tomorrow that she is going to have to make other arrangements, I will call some rescues as suggested and leave the information with her. I did bring Coco over tonight, maybe a part of me wanted to see one more time if it could work and I wasn't surprised to find that it of course would not. I do love her very much, I will miss her a great deal, I have taken care of her for almost a year daily. I know she will find a forever home where she can finally be the center of someone else's world, she deserves so much more than what she is living tonight, alone in a cage in a garage like she was all day and yesterday and so on.... Thank you both for caring enough to give me advise, your truly appreciated, I mean that.

Hello there everyone, I'm so sorry I neglected to state that the owner has indeed asked me to take Coco, she works full time and has a relationship with a man who also has a pitbull a very big scary pitbull that is a lovely animal, he is sweet and I adore him as well, he, like Gracie doesn't get along with Coco and although he has never bit her or anyone for that matter they are worried that that will change on a dime. The pitbull (Jax) is around Gracie's age and is not wanting to play chase. I have met with him and his owner who both say just give Coco time and on the other hand they to agree with the owner that the idea of that isn't practical. We are all in a pickle so to speak, we all love Coco very much and the owner knows my connection with her so she would prefer I take her where I'm sure she can see Coco from time to time, there is also a child involved, a boy, the dog was purchased with him in mind but he really doesn't take care of the dog the boy is around 11 or 12, his Xbox takes precedence. I keep thinking if I bring the cage here and when my dogs go out she can stay in, then reverse, the cage by the way is big enough to fit a small pony inside, it's everything else though, feeding, sleeping, playing, bonding. I'm afraid that if I don't take Coco the alternative would be worse, she could go to someone who would be horrible, I keep seeing her eyes and how she was last night when I took her inside her own house, she layed on the couch and was in heaven, it was like, oh yes! I miss this, comfort and contentment was so obvious, I melted. I wish with all my heart god would give me the answer. Poor Coco, was a precious animal. This is a horrible situation. I would have to have her fixed. Geez what a mess.

Michael Parkey, D'Elle. Thank you so very much for your input. Michael, I thought that very thing at first, my husband said that it was Gracie protecting Bella, he still believes that, I WANT to believe that! but what if we are wrong, Bellbell is only 4 pounds, she is such a gentle dog, this chihuahua doesn't bark incessantly, bite, most of the time doesn't want to be bothered, she has been that way her whole life, doesn't play either, weird. Gracie on the other hand wants to play and is always in your face wanting attention, she wants to be with you constantly, which of course is fine with us. Gracie is getting cranky, if she doesn't like someone she tries to let them know not to mess with her by lowering her head, going to her cage, she isn't aggressive but when she doesn't want to be messed with and you continue you will get a snap or growl, with us she is loving, her and my husband have a bond I have never seen in dog/humane before. Coco is still a puppy but Gracie puts her in her place, or at least she used to, the dog can out run her and stays away from her snaps, but on a few occasions didn't get away fast enough and learned, well, for a minute anyway, she circles Gracie while running and Gracie is constantly on the defence until finally Gracie just goes where she can't be bothered in the truck or behind me, I keep Coco from her because I know she has had enough. When it comes to our home CoCo isn't allowed in it for the most part, she tries to eat all the dog food and drink all the water, she is allowed only two meals a day from her owner, she is healthy dog, she is allowed treats at bedtime, one! I break that rule. Coco is in a cage all day and all night, rarely out for exercise and general love or human contact, I hate it for her and always have but I tried to rescue her by going over there an letting her out as often as I could sometimes that number would reach 4 times a day for an hour or longer each time, it became a problem with my husband because we have a company to run. I love that dog so so much and right now she is in a cage, now in the garage, used to be in the house but I don't know what happened, alone, it's horrible, I don't know what to do. I really believe that my household will like you said D'Elle will be uprooted, its a smooth running place, everyone does their own thing and when Coco comes in it's chaos. Will it stop? Who knows. Do I put them through what you put your's through only to find it doesn't work. It doesn't work now! can you imagine that beautiful animal over there by herself with no one to love on her, talk to her, it kills my very soul. I know my husband to, he doesn't like chaos, in fact it's his least favorite thing, peace and quiet, me I can take it until it runs its course. lol. Still I think I know it won't work. I'm depressing myself.

Hello everyone, it’s been a very long time since I’ve been here. Gracie my 4 year old Border collie has become the greatest dog I have ever had the pleasure of owning. My Chihuahua is just as loved and was here first, both dogs are our world. Gracie and Bella have never once had a problem with each other, I know this for sure because I’m with them all day everyday and have cameras when I’m not home for the sole purpose of looking at them when I’m gone. Okay finally the problem...there is a lab that I may have to take in and keep for forever for reasons that are dire. When Gracie and CoCo are alone together, aside from Gracie snapping at her because CoCo is still under one year ( she is around 8 months 9, something like that), they get along playing and laying down next to each other, but when I bring CoCo into my home, things change dramatically!! Gracie stands over my Chihuahua and starts growling as if she is going to bite her, I have to pick up Bella and remove her from Gracie’s behavior, I KNOW she is getting ready to bite her! but for the life of me I can’t understand why, Bella has done nothing! she is simply here, she is usually sitting down or standing there doing absolutely nothing to instigate the behavior Gracie is exhibiting. I have to take this Lab because I for one love her and she deserves a life outside of a life in a cage, I have been taking care of this dog from the time she moved into the neighborhood, ( literally right across the street ). What can I do? Help!! One more thing, I have seen Gracie do this to Bella if she doesn’t like something like a human , this is a strange thing to me. As far as those two ever having a problem outside of this there is not one issue, they will eat together, lay together, kiss each other, etc.

I know this was a long time ago but was re-reading. I did do the trade thing.....worked!!! Oh, no bone, not now, not ever! She snapped at me when I gave her something and went to take the bone. Gracie is now 3 years old and I have to tell you all, your advice is so valuable that without it Gracie might be someone else's dog. I can take anything I want from her now just as easy as giving it to her. Gracie is the best dog I have ever ever had. I feel very blessed to have her.

Congratulations on the baby!! A dog who is nervous and sheepish would be the first kind of dog to snap at another dog. I believe you are correct about being protective over the baby, I also believe that the older our dogs get the more aches and pains they themselves have and it might be that your dog is telling them that they are in pain and do not feel like playing or whatever happens to be on the other dogs mind, It stands to reason that if your dog is being harassed by another dog, your dog will defend itself, a lawsuit could be in your future if you can't get that under control people are suing happy these days, I could be wrong but you know what they say..." an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." FYI our BC's are never too old to learn new things, be it straight out of the womb or on death's door, (somewhat exaggerated lol). I would hate to see you have to muzzle your precious pooch, I've had mine muzzled at the Vets office because she isn't fond of the needle that is rammed into her hind end, I have to tell you that I hated every second of it. Here is the advice part......I am not a vet but I think she is maybe in a bit of pain and just doesn't want to play, be sniffed, or any other form of doggie stuff, maybe have her seen. Good luck with your dog and let me know. There are a lot more people on the board more qualified than myself to answer your question. I've had my BC for 3 years and she was (is) my first, still learning a great deal myself.

Does anyone else walk your dog? The tail between the legs is a sure sign of being frightened ( not the only reason that happens of course ) Have you taken your dog to the Vet to see if it is painful to walk? Do you walk the same route?

I promise this too shall pass. I was at my wit's end with Gracie, even thought of giving her away ( A LOT!!!!! ) everyone said that around a year and a half she would be like a new dog, these people knew what they were talking about, it was like magic! I kid you not. I struggled like you for a way to make this dog understand that she was abnormal and needed sedatives, either she needed them or I did. Gracie was like no other dog I have ever owned! These dogs get bored because they are so intelligent, they can predict things, they can figure out problems, their minds wander and their energy level is like something out of a Sci-Fi movie. Be patient and just know that one day ( that day is coming I promise ) this dog that is driving you insane will turn out to be your best friend. This dog loves you, remember that, it's looking for you to understand. I love my Gracie and I wish I had it to do all over again. Look in this dogs eyes, you will see it just wants YOU. On the good side, tricks come easy for these animals, Gracie knows every trick in the book. OH, don't forget that BC are creatures of habit if a walk is at 3 and 3 comes and goes with no walk, all I can say is....don't let 3 go without taking the dog for a walk. LOL. Lighten up darlin.

I have a chihuahua that was 7 when I brought my hyped up border collie puppy in the house, my chihuahua hated her ( Bella, all of 4 pounds ) Gracie wanted to play ( now, 58 pounds of still wants to play but not with Bella anymore ). Gracie has learned to respect Bella because she is the Queen of cool. Gracie is allowed to smell her butt but it ends there. They will be fine I'm sure as long as there isn't an all-out battle, even then it could work out.

You described Gracie when you were talking about Faith. I laughed until I cried, your funny.

Hello, one and all. Gracie is getting to be 3 years old ( Dec 12, 2015 ). I haven't let her have puppies as of yet, I want to do that this year I believe. Gracie has had her regular shots, wormed, etc.. As she is reaching 3 years old are there any more preventive health care procedures she should get at this stage of the game?

Update on Gracie and her mysterious hatred toward a certain someone. This fellow will not be returning to our home, not now, not ever. Turns out that she did, in fact, know something we did not and for all intense purposes she ( Gracie ) should win medals for knowing what a real piece of work this guy turned out to be. It was no secret I didn't like him either. At first, I thought Gracie didn't like him because I didn't like him, maybe a little of that could have rubbed off on her but she likes other people I'm not so fond of. No, she didn't like him for a far better reason than what I didn't like him for. I would love to go into detail about the scum bag but, I can't. Just know that I took your advise seriously like I always do. I wouldn't ask for your advise if I wasn't prepared to follow it. This site is a much-needed helpline to anyone who has questions about their Border Collies. Gracie and I appreciate you all so very much.

I'm back again. Gracie is a great dog, in every way shape and form. Couldn't ask for a better dog. I also have you wonderful people on this board to thank for helping me with her every step of the way! Now the problem....Gracie has it in for one person that comes to my home. She doesn't like him in any way. She snarled at him, growled at him, lunged at him, he went to shake hands with a client that's when she bit him. She has never acted like this before with any other human being and I mean no one ever!! Why? Doe's she know something I don't? Can't say it's the beard, she knows and loves many men with hair on their face, it isn't because he is loud, hell, I'm loud. I can't figure this one out. He addresses her, he is nice to her, he doesn't get in her space, but she hates him, watches every move he makes with her head down, I feel like she wants to bite him every minute. It's just this guy, no one else.

I can't thank you all enough, you have eased my mind. I know Gracie wasn't just being bad, she is with Turner and me all the time and no one else. Talksalot; Gracie is usually just minding her own business, I don't think she is an aggressor all the time but I have seen her go after other dogs when they came out of nowhere. Everything you all said was great to read, it's nice knowing you all have experience in these things, I don't know what I would do without you all I really don't. You all have made me understand my dog more than I could have by myself. Your wisdom on border collies is priceless in my opinion. THANK YOU ALL!!

Well, here I am again. I'll get right to the point when Gracie see's another dog she isn't aggressive at first, well, most times she isn't, my brother in law brought his little10 or 12-week old german shepherd over to a house my husband and I are fixing up. Gracie was cautious then she snapped at him, I then took her back out to the truck. My husband and his brother said, oh they are alright but I think that was just a "hey!! next time it's your throat!" threat. I don't want my dog to be responsible for some kind of serious injury. She has gone after many dogs smaller than her, puppies, she has snarled, nipped, barked at big dogs. How do I change this behavior that I am sure I created.