Bindi Mom

No advice since I'm learning as well. Absolutely beautiful puppies though.

Yup! She is laying on the bed next to him right now. He keeps petting her. I'm not sure he even realizes he's doing it.

Ok - Bindi is still worn out! I can't believe it. I spent some time on sit and stay while I hid her ball. She's not such a good seeker. I'm sure she will be back to her usual self tomorrow.

That is so cute. What a beautiful BC Zipper is!

Thanks! Yes, it was tearing me up. After having the heart-to-heart with DH and knowing that I have his support, I feel like a gigantic weight has been lifted. I'm confident again and know this will work out. I wonder if Bindi senses the stability too? It wouldn't surprise me.

That is such a great idea! I didn't think about doing that even though I know it's exercise first and then training. Bindi is so mellow and wiped out today still. She's a completely different dog. It's been hard not to crawl back in bed for a nap with her.

That's what the rescue told us. We saw mom and she is definitely BC. Bindi has 1 sibling that is all merle with 2 blue eyes. All the other pups are either tri or black/white like Bindi. Is merle with blue eyes all BC?

Do some border collies have 2 blue eyes? I know they can different colored eyes but am curious about all blue. I'm assuming Bindi gets her blue eyes from the Aussie in her but the daycare owner says she looks all BC to her.

Hi all, Bindi went to doggy daycare yesterday and did great. I stayed and watched for a good portion of the time. She was very nervous and submissive to all the dogs in the beginning. She did the crawl and role to every dog that came anywhere near her. She would then jump up and run away. She did this for a long time. There was one little baby bulldog named Emma that really wanted to play with Bindi but she kept rolling over on top of her being submissive. It was really funny. She calmed down after a while and ran a lot. They said there was 1 dog she kept trying to play with that didn't want anything to do with her. She kept submissively trying and he kept telling her no and she just didn't get the signals. She will learn though. All in all, it was a great day. She came home exhausted and was very calm with everyone last night. She's even really mellow this morning. I'm home for part of the day today so we are going to take a walk and hang out. I am planning on sending her to daycare on the days I won't be home but no more than 1x per week.

Awww, that's sweet.

Good morning everyone. Sorry for the delay. I've read everyone's response and here's the update First off, I made hubby out to sound like a big jerk and he's really not. We occassionally clash because he is as hard headed as I am but he is a great hubby, dad and friend. He was upset that Bindi had scratched our youngest and nipped/bit him. He is worried that she is going to really bite one of the kids in the neighborhood and doesn't want to have to make the decision to put her down. I understand that anxiety and won't give Bindi the opportunity to screw up. He is also overloaded at work and that stress came out as well. We had a really great talk last night and he agreed that we will all work with Bindi. He is not insisting that she goes. That was a response to the situation - the same as my starting this thread was a response to the situation. He is going to go with me to the next series of obedience classes as often as he can. He will take her for walks, either with or without me. He agreed to learn a better way to train than with force. I asked him to stop saying "I never wanted a dog", etc. because it stresses me out and he agreed. I'm not going to hand over too much to him though because he just doesn't deal well with this crazy age. But I feel like we are all on the same page now. About daycare, my thought was to take Bindi tomorrow and observe how she does. I work for myself and can adjust my schedule to whatever I need but was thinking that Bindi could go to daycare on the days I'm going to be gone all day. I am worried now after reading your experiences with daycare. She is really obnoxious with other dogs. She does get into the submissive crawl when a dog gives her a warning but I don't want her to be bit. The gal that runs the daycare is a trainer so I will talk with her tomorrow. I'll let you all know how she does. Bindi is now re-attached to me at all times unless she is in the crate. I've read that you aren't supposed to use the crate as punishment but when she just won't stop jumping on me, I'm crating her. She is also crated during meals because I don't trust her not to jump on the table. Thanks again for all your comments.

Painted Ponies - my other son is 7 so he doesn't do anything for Bindi except feed her with supervision. Yes, I'm going to have DH go to the next series of classes with me. I think if he is shown how to properly handle a BC then he will be fine. He had a yellow lab growing up and we have had 2 dogs together so he knows how to handle and work with a dog. I would agree that part of the problem is he wasn't on board when we got her. I have faith that he will come around. I've heard differing opinions on this but Bindi is going to puppy daycare on Wed for the day. I looked at this place last week and made an appointment. My hope is that the other dogs there will teach her how to behave around dogs - she has no manners with other dogs.

Thanks everyone for your honesty. I've been thinking and praying about this for the last day and have decided I'm not giving Bindi up. I know I am waffling like a crazy person but somehow we will make it work. I've read every one of your responses and I appreciate all of them. From here on out, I vow to you all that I will not be a whiner. I know I am going to continue to need help from you all - so please bear with me. I will continue training with Bindi and we are going to enroll in the next class after basic obedience (she graduated from that a few months ago). Mary & Bindi

Thanks everyone for your honesty. You are right - no sibling for Bindi. That being said - and I know I am waffling like a crazy person - Bindi is staying. I'm not giving this dog up. She is awesome and we will make it work. I've read every one of your responses and I appreciate all of them. I vow to you all that I will not be a whiner and I will be a better citizen of the boards. Mary & Bindi

This is kind of crazy but I thought I would throw it out there - What do you think about us getting a doggy friend for Bindi? A buddy she can run around crazy with in the yard. It would give her something to do... Good idea or bad?

I really want to thank you all again for your support. I have a few things to say: Beth G & Freckles LaLa Mom: DH is being a huge, gigantic @$$ about this and it doesn't bother me that you are calling me out on it. I appreciate your honesty. He didn't want a dog and makes it very clear when Bindi steps out of line. It's annoying and obnoxious...and I tell him that. He has started helping with her the last couple of weeks - taking her on walks, etc. I don't like the way he trains or disciplines her though. He is loud and hard and I know from this board that BC's don't respond well to that. RaisingRiver: Thank you for your post. I appreciate you recognizing that I have tried with Bindi. I feel so horrible right now and your words have given me a little pick-me-up. This is where I'm at today. I am having a really hard time giving up on her and committing to the idea of rehoming her. I know in my heart that she is going to be an awesome dog. My boys don't want to give her up, I don't want to give her up, DH does. That being said, I just don't know if the fight is worth it. Maybe I should go with Dixie_Girl and kennel him!

Thanks for the info and support. Yes, she did bite him on accident. She is not aggressive or mean at all. She just loves everyone and is puppy obnoxious. I know and understand that - my husband doesn't. He says he can't trust her and he doesn't want people to be afraid to come to our house because of the dog. I can understand and respect that but I'm not onboard with rehoming. I just don't know if I can do it but he says she has to go. Mr. Snappy & Raising River - I had talked with Bob in Port Orchard before we got Bindi about rescuing one of his dogs. My friend has 2 of his and speaks so highly of him. I talked with her today and we are going to take Bindi out to visit him and see if he can help give me some ideas to help me with her. It's my last ditch effort so to speak.

I'm crying as I write this but I'm pretty certain that I'm going to have to find a more suitable home for Bindi. It's not working and it is causing major problems with my marriage and family. Long story short - she went after my son this weekend and scratched him up all over his back and neck when I wasn't home and this morning she bit him. She didn't do it aggressively or defensively but she did it. Can you guys help me find someone to take her or recommend someone who can? I don't know where else to turn right now and honestly, I'm not thinking too clearly.

I don't believe it. Right now, at this very moment, my DARLING hubby & MOST PERFECT son have taken Bindi for a walk...without me...past the end of the block...out of my site... I'm breaking out the bon-bons and buying a lottery ticket!

I'm glad River is feeling better. I know after some soccer games (ie. last night!) I'm hobbling around for a day.

I'm glad things are going well. I like reading the updates. It gives me hope. Mary

Hi everyone, I just wanted to post an update on Bindi. We have had 4 great days! I have been consistent with her exercise and training and it seems to be making such a difference. We have walked every day and in the early evening I take her in the backyard on a 25' lead and she runs circles around me until she is worn out. We haven't had any counter surfing or accidents in the house. My youngest DS is feeding her daily. He makes her sit and stay until he is done getting her food and then releases her. It's really cool to watch her obey his command. Anyway, thanks again for all the help and support. I'm not going anywhere - this is such a great board! Mary

Awww! Happy Birthday. I love the pictures. Mary

I saw that at Petco the other day. I didn't get it but thought it looked fun. Mary

I like that - a tired boy is a quiet boy! I feel like my house is never quiet. That would be heaven. My oldest was with us in the backyard tonight. We had Bindi on a long lead and she chased the ball, ran around sniffing everything, ran around for no reason, etc. Then he helped me work on her recall. She is so in tune to treats that it doesn't take anything to get her to come back. The trick is her coming back when I don't have treats and she's not on a line. Soon enough... Mary