Loretta

WOW... First off, I train my dogs on stock, trialed in USBCHA trials, and we also do some contract work for local farms. I also train and trial my dogs in agility, where they do quite well. I think people on EITHER end of extremes are to be avoided. Just my opinion of course. Extremists are just that...extreme. My dogs understand corrections as a form of communication. Think of it as a game of hot and cold. A positive reward is "you're getting hot! Smoking hot!" and a correction is "you're FREEZING. Nothing more. I have to admit I was more on the positive everything side of the training debate until I witnessed the amazing communication between a very talented stockdog clinician and her dogs. They were happy! They understood what was expected of them! They LOVED their owner! And they were well behaved, well adjusted dogs. And yes, they were corrected. And that changed all things for me. I think we don't give dogs credit for their extreme intelligence, their resourcefulness and their ability to understand humans. I had a dog that was definetly a very hard dog to train on stock...but after learning how people train stockdogs, she turned into a completely different dog, on stock and in life. Not one time was she abused, hit, or in anyway harmed. But she was communicated with. In tones she understood, with pressures she understood and using her instinct to let her figure things out. I never understood how the word "lie down" could mean 10 different things...but now, I do. I tell everyone that comes to me for lessons, if you are not into any kind of correction, go watch a stockdog clinic or trial. Watch the amazing communication between the handler and dog. I never had that with my dogs until I learned how to train a dog on stock. We communicate with each other using corrections...why do we think a dog is too sensitive or stupid to do the same? Just my 2 cents...which is about all it is probably worth Loretta

I have a three year old female that is out of Ettrick Tweed x Peg. If that is the correct Peg Peg is by Ettrick Scot and Patrick Shannahan's "Hannah". Loretta

I am so sorry you are going through this with Maggie--recovery can be very up and down Good luck and I hope you can find it! I witnessed amazing results with my dog! Loretta

There is a product called Traumeel that is a natural remedy for injuries. It contains Arnica plus many other natural ingredients. I used to use Arnica, but I was given this by my canine rehab therapist and it works great. MUCH better than just Arnica--it comes in tablets, creams etc. I would see if you can find some. Really helped with my dogs rehab. Loretta

I have done accupuncture, accupressure, massage, and herbal treatments on Zip when she had her shoulder injury. She tore the muscles on her entire side and also her chest and triceps when she slipped on ice. I think without all of those things she would still be injured--she did no work for 11 months--but she has made a full recovery with no scar tissue and I will continue with the therapies. I don't know exactly WHAT happens...but it works. Loretta Loretta

I have three (7 years, 3 years and 1 year) and they all sleep They look forward to my departure because they all get ready to "assume nap position" when I get my keys and go to the door. The oldest one has taken residence on our couch and that is a no-no. But I see him eyeing it up as I am getting ready to leave--hmmmm. They seem irritated also if I come home early and wake them up Loretta Ace, Zip and Klink

I have to say I was wondering the same thing Jaime--I just hadn't found the topic yet. Loretta Mueller Pierz, Minnesota

<<>> I have had both kinds as well, spent a lot of time working one of my dogs on jumping---but when I hear people talking about breeding a dog because they are a "natural jumper", sorry but it makes my stomach turn And I hear it all the time. And I am not saying you would do this, just saying it happens

Rosanne, I was just pointing out that you did just what you were claiming not to do. You are supporting those breeders that mass produce sport border collies. As to if the parents work on the farm? Have you seen the parents work? Or did this breeder just tell you this and you believed them? Round pen work does not count as that is not "working around the farm". And with as many dogs as this breeder has and all the litters, how much time realistically do you feel that this person has to work their dogs? That is all I was meaning to say.

To those who did not understand my quote about peeing on agility equipment. Eileen described it perfectly---a Border Collie instinctively knows how to herd sheep, but they do not know how to do agility. I am not "peeing" on other activities, for goodness sake my dogs run agility! Geesh. But I understand that agility is purely training and teamwork. It is not instinct. If you can show me a 6 month old Border Collie puppy that can go "instinctively" do a set of Weave poles or an a-frame like my 6 month olds who have never seen sheep go out there and fetch them to me like a grown dog--THEN I might change my mind. I think part of the problem and why we are losing this special trait is because people do not realize how AMAZING it is. They don't take the time to find out.

In response to agility vs. herding---I had a friend once tell me: "Put my dog in a field with sheep and he will work them....put him in an agility field and he will pee on the equipment." I think that sums it all up very well

This entire thread has been a very interesting and eye opening experience and I have learned a great deal from it. Rosanne D. wrote : "If you wish to group me in with Sport Collie breeders who produce a high volume of untried puppies please continue to do so." Didn't you purchase Kiba from a well-known high volume breeder in Oklahoma who does the very same thing?

The person that made the original statement is obviously in some other world... I am pretty new to Border Collies and herding, and I am in awe EVERY SINGLE DAY when I work my dog...the fact that my pup went out at 6 months old having NEVER SEEN ANY KIND OF LIVESTOCK in her life and did a perfect mini outrun and went to balance and stopped... How can a person say that is environment?!?!?! My pup was never raised around stock?? Ugh...shaking my head... Pardon my language but people like that should not have the priviledge to own a Border Collie. Loretta

Well we just got back from the vet...x-rays look awesome..nothing wrong anywhere in any limbs...everything from that aspect looks as perfect as it can---- SO...she will be on rest, no herding etc for 4 weeks and then we will see how she is. Thanks for the feedback! Loretta

sorry...and negative for Ehrlichiosis...and to my knowledge there was not a traumatic event that started this Loretta