MomofOuzo

bc4pack but how do you teach them "enough" or "that'll do"? What is it exactly that you're reinforcing in this case?

bc4pack of course we're talking about a puppy!! Ouzo is 1000000% playing when he does that growling.. He also barks sometimes when I point the finger at him e.g when I say "sit" or "no bite" but it's more like a protest rather than any kind of warning. Still.. since I mentioned that and since it happened just a while ago...how would I correct him when I give him a command and instead he barks or acts crazy? Someone here (but in another post sorry I don't remember who) said that they would use a warning word when their pup would misbehave.. We started "time out" by closing Ouzo in the bathroom for a minute or less.. He has already made the association and whenever we give him the warning "you'll get a time out".. he calms down.. it's amazing!!! do you think it's a good approach?

Donna lol! I know what you mean!!! I think that Ouzo already knows that these little squeaky toy looking things don't mess around He already got jumped at by one of the girls.. and the other one is into nipping ankles/toes whether human or dog (our older dog has gotten lots of bites poor thing) Carson oh my god! The ferrets are my babies I would never allow my pup to hurt them!! I'd rather die!!! They interact pretty well, Ouzo is really behaving. He just gets excited when he sees them playing with each other or running around and doing their antiques so he ends up running around the house (or ending up jumping and playing with our older dog)... It's good to know however that he can distinguish between what's OK to herd and what not Thanks a lot guys!

I thought that herding would be good for him...as an enrichment or good time...but I would definitely want him to get along with my ferrets. Like I said so far he's doing a great job with them and he's not herding them..or nipping them.. (sometimes only when he gets too excited he runs and doesn't pay attention ... runs over them...but now my ferrets respond playfully to that... although when he gets bigger it won't be such a good game for them). I thought that if we encourage his herding instict he wouldn't discriminate between what's ok to herd and what not. (maybe I underestimate them )

I allow interaction among Ouzo and my fuzzies, and he's really behaving well...(I disciplined him once)...While I do that though.. am I suppressing his herding instict? And if I do is this a good or a bad thing to do?

Boo-hoo I beat you all guys (crying) The consultation visit (I assume same with office visit) is $54. Ouzo's going for his second round of vaccines this coming Thursday so.. I'll be back with additional info on expenses. Still, this is the third vet I've changed to and I ain't changing her for any other!!!! I trust her and sometimes the office visit is the only thing we pay!!! One of my fuzzies ended up with a maggot in her body(we were on vacation and my mother in law didn't know they had two litter boxes in their cage cleaning the one leaving the other for 10 days in August)... The first time the vet didn't see anything...When the hole didn't heal and took her back. She gave her anesthesia, took the maggot out.. and I paid NOTHING. nothing at all. They are very reasonable and I really really trust the one who sees my pets... Boy I wish my vet was that cheap :)Lucky you especially if they do a good job!!

Ahuh... the family will probably feel the influence their loved one had both when alive and dead. I would simply explain who I was and what made me come to the funeral (although I wouldn't go only because I don't like funerals not because it's wrong to go...) Follow your heart and consciense...and in worst case what would they do? Kick you out? Insult you? They have definitely more important things to do than to become annoyed by the presence of a stranger...if you know what I mean...

If an allergy shouldn't it kick in soon after Louie eats? Ouzo was very itchy for the first week. We asked the vet and she said that as puppies they do it a lot and it's normal. Diana, don't forget that before getting them Louie and Ouzo were fed purina puppy chow which probably contains corn, wheat and/or other fillers...Wouldn't an allergy show even when the pups were younger?

Thanks so much for all the great thoughts and advice you guys. You see... I expect too much of him because like you all say they grow up so fast, so that kinda puts a pressure on me that I don't have enough time to teach him what he needs to know. What frustrates me with calling him is that... he does know his name. When at home he never fails to come when he hears his name (and yups, we call him with a cheerful tone, and only for something good e.g a treat, or to play or to give him a toy, and never because he's done something wrong)...but when we're out... blaaah...nothing.... Another thing that kinda stresses me out and it contradicts what most of you have told me so far.. is that he'll grow out of certain behavior such as nipping. In the Ultimate Border Collie book it says exactly the opposite that it's a mistake to believe that puppies grow out of nipping unless they are trained to....So either the book is wrong or ALL of you are wrong But the effect it has on me is Hmm... what's the deal here after all.. resulting in feeling more stressed and pressured...."aaah I'm running out of tiiiime..." It's great to know about growling! There's no doubt that he does it because he thinks we're playing. I point the finger at him saying "no" about something wrong he's done, and he growls at my finger and jumps around and barks and pretends to bite my finger but never does (it's an attack/retreat action lol)...and fortunately I've never disciplined him for that because usually when he gets to that point I'm like "ok I give up" and turn around and initiate something else (give him a toy, or play or whatever). And you're absolutely right about sensing his people's frustration. I've seen it with my husband when he kinda gets upset with ouzo and tries to discipline him so the little guy is acting even worse than before and I keep telling him that if he looses his patience he'd better give up because he makes the pup more agitated... Usually I'm home alone when I spend time with him in the mornings so I can't tell if my frustration is "detectable"...but I'll keep working on it.. Again, thanks a lot folks..I don't know what I'd do had I not have people who have experience with BCs and pups in general (I think most of you already know that I've never had a pup, and our older dog I came into his life when he was 10-11 years old already so I never had to deal with his training). I really really appreciate your help (and your patience )

I just don't know what to address first ! I have been working on his name.. He seems to respond to it.. Today I took him to the park....like I do every day...he found a fallen tree trunk and kept munching it...he wouldn't listen to me calling...If he'd come to me he wouldn't sit...he'd run straight back to the trunk...Sometimes he'd even growl at me (as if "I lost my patience with you")What am I doing wrong with teaching him his name? Why does he sometimes listen and sometimes he doesn't? I know I shouldn't allow this to happen but HOW? And this growling.. he thinks I'm playing but I'm trying to discipline him and to make him obey...what should my action be when he does that (note that he's 1000% inattentive when he does that). Then while walking on the leash, he stops to pick up whatever he sees.. stones, grass, sticks, anything.. I have to keep taking out of his mouth and saying "no". But he continues to do it...What should I do about that? It's dangerous!!!! How do I stop it? And just walking him is often a fuss! He stops to any noise he hears (I would think this is ok, but in the book that I got it says I should not allow it or something)or he bites his leash (which I know is a puppy thing but...it has to stop).. or he runs after the bottom of my pants (this is addressed in another topic) OR he harrasses our older dog (I take them together for walks). I get so frustrated and disappointed and I feel that everything I'm doing is just wrong.. training and obedience wise...

Awsome website....Training impaired is my middle name This is gonna help a lot.. let me explore it more

Psmitty please feel free to butt in lol! That's what this forum is for I don't think I'll feed Ouzo with Natural balance once he becomes an adult. I love this food for my ferrets and there's no better cat food I believe. I started Ouzo on Natural Ultramix for puppies...I have some time to think about his adult food.. I might stick to this brand...still I need to do more research

Hmm.. i didn't really move closer or away from the truck....we were probably 50-60 feet away (maybe more)and Ouzo was just trying to run the opposite direction but I had him stay there (hence the holding and saying it's OK)... my intention was that the truck is OK (something he shouldn't be afraid of) not his fear or running away from it.. but as you say it probably reinforced his fear...so in this case... "going about my business" would mean to go and get rid of my garbage...right? While Ouzo was pulling the opposite direction and chocking? So what should I do? Stay there as I did? Let him go his way? I won't ask about going closer to the truck I know the answer already. Overall he doesn't seem to be scared of noises..with this I didn't have control on 'de-sensitizing" him. it just happened to drive by the moment I was on my way to throw out the garbage..I understand what you mean with the slow introduction to new and possibly scary things Thanks a lot for the advice

OH.....oops...thanks I'll keep that in mind for the next time something similar occurs. But he was trying to run away he wouldn't stay still...should I have stayed there (which I did) and let him say "familiarize" with the noise and vehicle??? I held him mostly so that he'd stay still and not choke by pulling...Either way I see what you mean...Thanks again for the tip...

Hi there bolt!! I ordered the Ultimate BC by Alison Horsnby... it had received excellent reviews because it was very particular to border collies... I think this is correct although....it has a lot of info that might not apply to BC as companions.. It has a good training section, both for the basics, and for agility etc.. but it has info about herding, about breeding, about conformation...it's a rather big book....but the sections I'd be mostly interested (in training).. they don't seem too extended to me...(at a first glance). But it is definitely particular to BCs... Don't order it from Amazon though because it will take at least a month... I had to cancel the order because I ordered it before xmas and it would arrive end of january beggining of february. I ordered it from AKC.....for $26 something (plus shipping).. I got it in few days... Reviews of other books were saying that they could be talking about any breed just adding the BC instead...I did look in the bookstores (before getting Ouzo).. some books that were available...and it was true... they were not specific for BCs....but.. if we keep searching we might find other books that are good as well.... I would recommend the Ultimate Border Collie however...even if I'll never breed, or take Ouzo to shows etc....