Cassidy

Most every dog I have had has been picky eaters. But for Ladybug I had given her vitamins that you get from vet, which worked and also are you free feeding? Because i have found that when I pick up the food they will usually eat it when I put it down again, however, I feed twice a day. Also,I have tried giving a small snack to stimulate appetite.

Thank you for all the great advice. I will be doing those things with Delta. I have went back and read the whole account of Kelso, and I could not believe what I was reading. Everything about Kelso is almost identical to the way Delta is. I really found it helpful, thank you D'Elle for posting that. Although, Delta is just now starting to try to play with me, she also tries to play with Ladybug and Stormie but neither of them wants to play with her. They act like they do not want to have anything to do with her at all. Although they do not fight with her or give her any negative attention, they dont give her attention at all. As for toys,she does not seem interested. She watches Ladybug catch the ball (almost constantly) but never acts interested, however, the only thing she does seem to do with a toy is to chew it to pieces. She will fing anything she can get a hold of and chew it and destroy it. She has chewed shoes, slippers, and even chewed wholes in socks, and also loves to chew cords as well. I have to keep all cords out of the way or she will chew them. She has also chewed rugs.

Ok, so Ladybug I bought 7 yrs ago. I rescued Stormie (literally from a hurricane left to fend for herself, 5 yrs ago, and Delta came about 5 months ago. Delta exhibited such odd behaviors such as wouldnt walk from room to room, would not interact with me or any of the dogs, could not make any sudden movements around her or raise your voice, she was so timid it was pathetic. Well when i took her to the vet to have her checked out, the vet told me that it seems that she was severely abused. She estimated her to only be a year, however when she did start moving she moved so slowly that i thought perhaps she may have arthritis, as she moved exactly that way, as if she is constantly in pain. Well, now, after 5 months, she is starting to come out of her shell, however, she is still afraid of sudden movements and loud voices. I have not attempted to train her in anyway, bc right now, i just need her to trust me. Well, now she is finally starting to act like she is trying to come out of her shell. She walks round the house, and comes to me to put her head in my lap, I pet her and she then tries to cliimb in my lap. Then i start to play with her, talk to her and just tell her (in my baby talk voice) how much i love her and how cute she is, then she starts to actually try to play. By mouthing a lot and thereby accelerating into nipping, friendly of course. I know she is only trying to play, and because of the past abuse I am afraid to subject her to anymore fear. But, since she is now starting to nip, although minimally of course, and only during play, I know i need to teach her not to do that, but I am afraid to raise my voice. I do not know how I can get across to her that something she is doing is wrong, without her thinking that I am displeased, because i think she associates her behavior with her abuse. I say behavior rather than bad behavior, because it is evident that she was abused, it seems for anything. Because she is afraid to do anything. Just now trying to come out of her shell and I do not want to inhibit that. How can I start teaching her to behave without her withdrawing back into her shell?

Well, it still always amazes me how ignorant some people can be. I have always had pure bred dogs except for when I was a child. But now in my pack I have a rescue that is a bordercollie lab mix and I just prefer to call her my borderlab rather than a mutt, it just sounds better. However, I absolutely do not believe in crossing mixing the breeds.

That is too cute. It sounds like you have some mighty smart dogs.

Welcome. I am so glad to hear the success you are having with Sasha. Dogs that have had those kinds of issues and when you work with them patiently as you are doing, not only do they recover and are able to have a happy life, but they remember the time you took with them and the patience you had and the love you gave them when no one else would,I believe they become ever more loyal and appreciative and makes for a much stronger bond with you.

Thank you so much for the replies. I will certainly take them away from her. Deer antler, I have heard are great but i can't seem to find them anywhere. I will keep looking though. Thank you again.

Hello, I would like to introduce myself. I have 3 dogs a Bordercollie, a shitzu and a bordercollie lab mix. I have always had dogs all of my life but this is the first time i have been introduced to the bordercollie. I have to tell you i am amazed. I have little training experience but i heard training the bordercollie comes easy. Well i havent found it so. One question I have is pertaining to the bordercollie/lab, she is still a puppy and chews all of the time. She has chewed a pair of my DH's shoes. He has got another pair, but i was wondering if i should keep them and let her chew them to keep her away from other things, or would that just entice her to chew. Any help would be appreciated thanx.

Thank you so much everyone! You all are great! I do have a tie out and my husband suggested that, I just never did like it, but I guess if I am out there with her it is ok. Daisyduke, I never thought of those things before. I really dont know what I was thinking. I guess that old saying bad things cant/wont happen but, You are right, I will keep those things in mind. I will from now on, not let her out without a leash, or on the lead/tie out. I do need to try to have more structured time with her, but I do have a hectic schedule. Very! But I am working on changing that. I usually let her outside in the am, play with her for awhile then have to get ready for work. (Swing shift, so sometimes dont get home until 1 am. I usually relax and watch tv, and throw toys or cuddle with her for awhile, then go to bed. So , there is not a lot of time to spend with her she does have a shitzu to play with, but there is a jealousy problem there, but I hate to think she is not bonding with me. I am trying to get into an alternate teaching program to become a teacher, so I will be home every evening and can maybe structure some time, but I just have to schedule time for her as well as anything else. Thank you all for your replies.

We do not have a fenced in yard and I feel like a bad dog owner right now. She keeps running off to our neighbors houses where they constantly play with her and do not know when to stop running her. The thing is, I dont like her going off to neighbors house anyway, and I cant get her to come home when I call her. My husband is a truck driver and wont be home until Thanksgiving, but I told him this and he says he will get a runner, a long leash to let her run the yard without leaving it. But in the mean time I dont know what to do. All I have right now, is a regular leash, I can use that to let her go potty, but she is, afterall, a purebred bordercollie and I think it will do her a disservice to not let her run, so to speak, until Thanksgiving. But, if its all I can do to keep her safe, I guess thats what will have to be. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can handle this? Cassidy

Hi everyone! It has been a looong time since I have posted. But you guys have given me some very great advice for Ladybug. She is doing great now, and she is such a great dog. I knew she would be. She is so like a person, I cant get over it. BUT! I think I have absolutely lost my mind. Even though I was thnking of getting another bc I have changed my mind. She takes a lot of time and attention just with her energy level. However, I now find myself with another family member, a shih tzu. AAAAaaaaaaaaagh! I didnt know how this was gonna go, but it is working so far. The shih tzu, Stormy, is so named because she was found left alone during a hurricane. The owners left her and another dog out on the street while they evacuated. The other dog did not survive. I didnt want another dog, but didint want to see her left alone to fend for herself either. So now, the dogs get along ok, but the only thing I try to watch out for is the jealousy. Ladybug now, allows Stormy to eat, but she still cant tolerate Stormy gettiing treats. They usually play and wrestle together and act like friends. But, Its hard for me to show love to Stormy (which she needs) and at the same time, not let Ladybug think she is taking my love. I try to show them both affection, but Stormy wants in my lap, not interested in playing, and Ladybug is very interested in the ball, but at the same time always wants in my lap as well. Is there anyway I can treat them both fairly, even though they both require totallly different needs? Sorry so long, Cassidy

Ahhhh yes! The zoomies. I love it. I actually think its cute. My bc has done that at exactly 9:00 pm every night! But now that she is a little older 14 mos, she doesnt quite do it every night. She now only does that every once in a while and only for a few minutes. However, I still sometimes see her run the zoomies out in our back yard sometimes. It still amazes me. Cassidy

Actually, I had put my bc on adult food around 7 or 8 months old and my vet told me it was best to keep her on puppy food until atleast 12 months.

Thanks guys! I am sooo relieved to hear that. She doesnt have any major issues (anymore, that is) but I am just kind of interested in training her to do tricks and games and stuff, but to teach her any of that, she needs to have her basics down pat. She does know what basic words mean, like sit, stay, off, that'll do, etc. but I guess just like a teenager, just b/c she is given a command, doesnt mean she is going to do it? For example, I like to play the find it game with her, but I cant hide the ball or toy except for behind my back b/c she will not stay for me to hide anythinig. I can say sit, and stay, but the second i back up or move she is coming. She is sooo totally focused on the ball or toy that it doesnt matter what i say or do, i cant even get a good hug or snuggle if there is a toy around that she wants. Although there are times she does get her hugs and snuggles in. Cassidy

Ladybug is trained to an extent. She knows the basics but she only does them when she wants to. Is it too late now that she is 14 months, since she has been used to mostly getting her own way? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Cassidy