Michael Ohleger

Thanks to all for the advice. I have to weed out the good and see what applies to Skye. He bolted again this afternoon - just after a good grooming and a bath (it figures). I didn't have a chance to call him since he slipped out the garage and disappeared into the woods in the twinkle of an eye. I didn't even see what direction he was in. Anyway after two hours of searching, he was found at a neighbors house just about a half mile away. He acted like nothing was amiss. I have to agree that he will never be allowed to be out off lead. He will forever be attached to a long line (since it's easier to catch a 50 foot rope than a two foot dog) An invisible fence may just be the answer. I'll let y'all know after awhile. Thanks again. Michael

Wow! Did I start something here? I think I need to clarify my situation. Skye doesn't have a problem with recalls as long as his attention is focused on the task at hand, namely working with me. If we are in a farm field or at home and he spots whatever-it-is-that-he-wants-to-chase, there is no getting him back. We're in the midst of formal obedience training with a group (this is more for my benefit) and he will do a fine sit/stay and recall from that. He will recall while in the confined space as well as at home in the yard and in the farm field. There is nothing in his repertoire as a down/stay (he hasn't grasped the concept) or a recall from a "prey chase" as someone put it. I'm getting the idea that more intense work is needed to reinforce his need for me, and to obey when commanded. 90 days is a short time to expect strict obedience to a recall particularly when dealing with a former road dog, I suppose. It has taken some work and understanding, since he sometimes forgets where he is (got excited over my brother's BC and marked the couch), and will still forage (stole a half dozen hershey's kisses and got wacky on caffiene). He stays off the furniture, chews only his things, sleeps at the foot of the bed and minds his manners around house guests, which is super. It's just this annoying behavior that has me baffled. He did it again since I opened this thread and I found him a mile away, happily jaunting down the road. He wouldn't come at that stage, but did when I turned my back on him walking to the car. I intend to take much of this sterling advice and continue to work with him with greater intensity. I'm also thinking about rescuing another one. Am I crazy? Michael

I hope I'm not saddled with a perpetual runner, and the "hope-on-a-rope" will work fine, in fact I've used it before with Springers. The problem with it is that with this BC I'd have to be with him all the time and watch him run to make it work. This precludes leaving him alone in the yard and he could hang himself when flying over the fence (5 feet high by the way) I have used the Pearsall method of training for years, but am now enclined to use a more aggressive method that I have been reading about in the training of stock dogs. I really think that a "LIE DOWN" command might even save his life if he does this alot. Is there a method for herding or obedience competition that works well? I'd sure like to try it. Thanks Michael

Some background: I adopted my BC about 90 days ago. "Skye" is the first Border Collie I've owned since I was 12. He was found running at large in the back country in SW Virginia. He is/was a bit of a "road dog", because I assume he was used to fending for himself for awhile. He's about 18 to 24 months old. When I brought him home, he knew no commands, had no house manners and even attempted to steal food from my fork while I was at the dinner table !! Well, needless to say, he's been through some intense obedience training, has been cured of most of his bad habits and has turned into a pretty sweet dog. There's one exception. He runs away! He has this thing about chasing wild animals such as squirrels, deer and fox, real and imagined. When the ears and tail go up, and he sails (and I mean sails) over the fence, there is no command that either gets his attention, or makes him stop. Perhaps I'm expecting too much at this early stage of his tenure with me. I've owned Springer Spaniels for the last 25 or so years and they would run after game, but would stop and return on command. This BC is incorrigible and oblivious to any such thing. I go searching for him when he's on these runs and when found, he will refuse to come when called. I generally will bribe him with a treat or tennis ball to get him back at that point. Now, I've been to sheepdog and obedience trials and have been impressed to no end when the "down" command is given from 1/4 mile away and the dog does so without hesitation. Please tell me this is just part of his youth and he'll get over it, or will I have to do more intense training. I'd like to get him into flyball or frisbee catching, but I'm afraid that he's so easily distracted he'll never be successful at either. Short of moving, there's no way I can change his environment. Any suggestions on how to deal with or modify this behavior would be appreciated Michael