Samantha2

Thanks for the advice. I took her out into the yard off leash thinking if I was there she woulnd't escape. Well, she caught a scent (I think she has some hound in her, with those big floppy ears), her nose went down, tail straight out, and off on the scent she goes. She stayed just out of reach running around the neighborhood on this scent! I was so irritated with myself/her that now she doesn't go anywhere outside off leash or off a yard tie to keep her in. I really want to teach her a good recall and eventualy to respect our fencing... I'll go ahead and try what you guys have suggested.

Hi, I have found a perfect third dog for our household. Her name is Oriana, the root of the name means Gold in Italian, she's just a gem in everyway, except she likes to escape the yard (that's how she became a shelter dog)...that wouldn't be so bad if she had a good recall. I know she needs some transitioning time to recognize us as her new family, but any suggestions/methods that have worked well for you with your dogs in teaching a recall would be great. She looks like a little Golden Retreiver cross, she only weighs about 20-25lbs. I think she feels she's a Beagle (a stubborn one!) at heart with her roaming ways!

I'm not sure my dogs like the snow...Granted my thermometer just rang in at a whopping -30, that's right, *negative 30 degrees*! If it was a bit warmer, they might just like it! Here is a photo of them running in the snow the other day - looks like they were havin' fun...It was about 20 degrees out then...

Would I just step in front of him when he's exibiting an undesirable behavior? I fear that I'd more have to pull him behind me rather than be able to be quick enough to get in front of him before he tried to out move me...

I took Bandit for a walk today and brought along a dressage whip. Everytime he pulled or barked I tapped him with it on his back, or smacked the ground with it in front of him - guess what? No bark! There was slight pulling and some whining, but very minimal.... No clue if it was luck or if I did something right... But I had to share since you've all been so insightful!

Ok, I just want to clarify I'm not using a shock system of training on Bandit, aside from the Innotek zone I described above which isn't a strong zap at all (tried it on myself), and Bandit responded quiet well the one time he did get shocked when trying to eat cat litter for the hundreth time. Since that time it only takes the beep for him to leave it alone. I truly agree that an anxious dog (esp. BCs) are not good candidates for the remote shock collar training as the labs use for hunting. Anyway, in response to a few other Q's, Bandit doesn't calm down on the leash no matter the amount or type of excersizs he gets. I can take him for a 3 hour romp in the woods with my horse, play fetch for an hour, have him follow me on my bike around the field, etc and the minute he gets on the leash (heading to or away from the house)he gets anxious again with the pulling, whining and barking. Bandit's activity list includes: playing with the other two dogs in the house non-stop day and night (it'd be nice if he stopped at night!), hikes, camping, horseback rides, walks, bike rides, TONS of fetch, frisbee, he was on a flyball team in Seattle before we moved, and loose romps at the open acreage near my house with the other dogs. He knows sit, shake, down, up, jump, twirl, and roll over. It's not that he's untrainable, it really seems that he just can't handle being on the leash... I am definitely going to try the clicker training, see if it helps him at all, and for sure try it on my 6mo. 1/2 BC who is a blast to work with. I'll also look up some more training stuff on the web, I wasn't having too much luck finding anything effective, but I'll keep searching. The NILF thing was neat too. We kind of do that where our dogs must sit before they get fed, get the leash put on, get to go outside/inside, etc. But I'll try to incorporate that into more tasks for the dogs. I'll also see about the hearing check, even if he was deaf or partially deaf why would he pull on the leash and try to run around when he could just stay close and look at me? Thanks again for everyone's input, you've all been SO helpful! Samantha

Ok, I just want to clarify I'm not using a shock system of training on Bandit, aside from the Innotek zone I described above which isn't a strong zap at all (tried it on myself), and Bandit responded quiet well the one time he did get shocked when trying to eat cat litter for the hundreth time. Since that time it only takes the beep for him to leave it alone. I truly agree that an anxious dog (esp. BCs) are not good candidates for the remote shock collar training as the labs use for hunting. Anyway, in response to a few other Q's, Bandit doesn't calm down on the leash no matter the amount or type of excersizs he gets. I can take him for a 3 hour romp in the woods with my horse, play fetch for an hour, have him follow me on my bike around the field, etc and the minute he gets on the leash (heading to or away from the house)he gets anxious again with the pulling, whining and barking. Bandit's activity list includes: playing with the other two dogs in the house non-stop day and night (it'd be nice if he stopped at night!), hikes, camping, horseback rides, walks, bike rides, TONS of fetch, frisbee, he was on a flyball team in Seattle before we moved, and loose romps at the open acreage near my house with the other dogs. He knows sit, shake, down, up, jump, twirl, and roll over. It's not that he's untrainable, it really seems that he just can't handle being on the leash... I am definitely going to try the clicker training, see if it helps him at all, and for sure try it on my 6mo. 1/2 BC who is a blast to work with. I'll also look up some more training stuff on the web, I wasn't having too much luck finding anything effective, but I'll keep searching. The NILF thing was neat too. We kind of do that where our dogs must sit before they get fed, get the leash put on, get to go outside/inside, etc. But I'll try to incorporate that into more tasks for the dogs. I'll also see about the hearing check, even if he was deaf or partially deaf why would he pull on the leash and try to run around when he could just stay close and look at me? Thanks again for everyone's input, you've all been SO helpful! Samantha

For the last 6 years I've just been using a flat nylon collar, but since trying to be effective with him I've tried various types of tighten/loosen models (no chains!) in various materials to see what results I might get. Tried round and thin, thought it might be uncomfortable to pull on, tried wide and flat, tried stiff, soft, etc. He just wants to GO GO GO, and if he can't go fast enough he'll whine. If I get on my bike and pedal as fast as I can go without giving myself a heartattack he gets his feet moving just fast enough that he's happy and won't whine/bark. His problem is lack of focus and wanting to run, which turns into anxiety when he can't. I like the clicker idea, I'll have to dig around, I think I have a clicky thing somewhere.... Tried the 'make like a tree' thing. I've also tried lots of walking, stopping, changing direction, turning, etc to keep him focused - we can do hours of that but if I try to then walk 20 ft in a straight line he starts all over. One thing that was effective a while ago on a hike, I picked up a stick and used it like a wand, or arm extension just to discourage him from running past me. He was quite content to walk behind me, and if he did creep forward or whine all I had to do was jiggle the stick in front of him and he'd stop and back up... Any ideas why this might have changes his behavior?

No, what is NILF? Thanks again for everyone's input!

I've heard of clicker training for horses and dogs. How does the click actually work and what is the dog learning from it? Why not just reward with a treat everytime he stops pulling? I've heard of great success with the clickers - just never knew too much about it. Thanks, Samantha

I haven't done this myself but does anyone have opinion on shock collar training? I fear that the BC breed might just be too sensitive if used incorrectly. I do have a zone system by Innotek, where a small disk is placed where you don't want the dog. You set an adjustable sensor radius and put the collar on the dog. It beeps to warn the dog it's too close to a room or item (ie: garbage, litter box, etc) and then delivers a small shock that slowly increases in intensity the longer or closer the dog gets to the disk. I've had a lot of success with this, took each of my dogs one time of getting zapped and now as soon as they hear the warning beep they move away from the areas that are no dog zones. Also, does anyone have any suggestions for improving recall and the 'stay' or 'wait' command? I know there are hundreds of training books out there, but I rather get opinions from people who've had personal success or failure with certain methods on their BCs. Thanks!

Bandit's had routine vet care, but never a specific hearing check. He's a super sensitive dog to loud noises, rough brushing, and even quick moving objects. I always assumed he had great senses, but maybe if one or a few of them are dull he could be being caught by surprise when he does hear or see something. I wonder how a possible lack of hearing translates to specific anxiety on-leash vs. the second you take the leash off? This board is really nice to be able to bounce ideas around. I am living in a TINY town in Montana, population 4000 (which includes the surrounding ranches), and no other cities for another 3 hours by car. When I was in Seattle there were lots of resources, I wish I had been trying to teach him something then rather than now! Thanks for everyone's help!! Sam ps - Anyone know how to upload photos?

Hi, Maybe I will try a head collar for him. I'm a HUGE Cesar fan and started my other puppy under his methods. I never allow my dogs to roam ahead of my heel unless they get the "ok" to do so, such as in a dog park. Bandit is neurotic whether I'm trying to keep him behind my heel or allow him to be at the end of the leash in front. I do my best to be a good pack leader for him, but I'm just not enough of what he needs right now... It's strange because he never takes his eye off me and will stay close to me no matter what. He's the only dog (out of the three that live in the house) I NEVER have to worry about losing. He may want to run around like a maniac but he'll stay close whether I'm walking, biking, or riding my horse... Have you tried Cesar's Illusion collar? Or heard any success stories with it? Thanks for your input! Samantha

Hello, My name is Samantha and I'm brand new to this board! I was given a pure bred Border Collie when I was 15yrs old (he was 3mo.) because they couldn't sell him. I was told he had too much white for anyone to want him and they'd "humanely smother him" if I didn't take him. That was 7yrs ago... Due to my lack of training and inexperience with the breed Bandit has turned into an obsessive, neurotic, and anxious dog! On a day to day basis he's behavior is fine, but when we go for a walk all hell breaks loose. He pulls on the end of his leash until he's gagging and choking trying to run around, and will, without cease, bark and whine the WHOLE time! Over the last 7 months I've really been trying to address this behavior and change it. On walks my attitude is calm and assertive, with hopes he might feed off of some of my energy, I do my best to correct him fairly and consistently - but I have yet to succeed. Most dog training resources out there are aimed for puppies or 'normal' dogs. I really feel that the Border Collie is a special breed all to it's own, with very 'special' quirks. I recently adopted a 1/2 border collie pup and I started him from day one on good manners, leash training and respect. He's turned out to be wonderful, and a perfect gentleman in all situations. I think I've really let Bandit go way too long without training and he's just become neurotic. I want to do right by him. Being SO anxious when we go out for a walk musn't be fun for him either. He will settle down if I take the leash off and he'll just run laps to and from me, or circle me. However, this isn't always conducive to our surroundings, or safe. Any ideas or resources would be great! Thanks, Samantha ps - How do I post a photo of him? He's darling!