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Older dog getting snappy
gcv-border replied to Tuxedodog's topic in General Border Collie Discussion
I use the one on the left. I was not aware of the Ora-Clens product, but a comparison on the Chewy site suggests they are the same. Just branded, and priced, differently? -
Older dog getting snappy
gcv-border replied to Tuxedodog's topic in General Border Collie Discussion
I buy the 1-TDC from Chewy. I think it should be available from the company's website itself, but since I order dog and cat foods from Chewy, it's just as easy to order from Chewy. I wouldn't order from Amazon due to many counterfeit products. There are a couple of Youtube videos describing how to apply the 1-TDC. Primarily spread it on the upper gums, but you don't have to use your fingers. Just use the little applicator and squeeze out through the tab end. Note: IMHO, it is a pain to twist off the tab so I just cut it off at the stricture. I use one capsule per dog daily. Dogs are 35-40 lbs. -
Older dog getting snappy
gcv-border replied to Tuxedodog's topic in General Border Collie Discussion
Have you heard of Sniffspot? It's an app for your phone that you can use to find locations in your area that allow you to rent what is essentially a private dog area/park. Sniffspot hosts list their private property for rental by dog owners. Each listing provides the specifics - rental fee per dog, description of the rental area (size, fenced/not fenced), any extras. All booking and payment is through the Sniffspot app. Maybe there are a couple of Sniffspots in your area. I have read that people with reactive dogs, or dogs that need a fenced area, appreciate Sniffspot offerings (if fenced). Or some may just bring their dogs to someplace different. Another thought: a product that I have been using to keep my dogs' teeth clean is 1-TDC. It was originally marketed as a join supplement, but they have discovered that it is great for cleaning the teeth and is the marketing has pivoted more to the dental benefits. One of my dogs was beginning to accumulate tartar, and her breath smelled. After a couple of months of applying it once a day (maybe 3-4 days per week although the instructions call for daily use), her teeth are much better and her breath barely smells. -
Older dog getting snappy
gcv-border replied to Tuxedodog's topic in General Border Collie Discussion
I agree with comments/suggestions above. Best of luck to Charley. -
When I saw the ads, one of the first things I noticed was the white-headed pup and immediately wondered if s/he was deaf. (Apparently so.) I believe that is a risk when breeding a heavily white-factored dog, but if the parent is a high-level worker, it may be a risk the breeder is willing to take. I dunno. If this was the first litter of the sire, I would be very cautious about using him again - and would pick a mate with extreme care. I would never use him with this female again. If he has been used before with no white-headed pup, well - genetics can be a cr@pshoot. Of course, because of the white-headed pup, my thoughts wander to 'what type of genetic testing is used before deciding on a mating?'. Is genetic testing in BCs common, or becoming more common, in Australia? As far as working efficacy or how sheep react to a mostly white dog, I can only relate one acquaintance's experience. She is a very experienced handler and had a mostly white dog, but with black ears. Her report is that sometimes new sheep would look 'askance' at her dog, but they would soon be responding to him normally. i.e. the interactions were as expected from using a more traditionally marked dog. She used him A LOT for set-out at sheepdog trials so he saw a wide range of sheep breeds. The take-away was that the presence and working ability of a dog was much more important than the color. Yes, there are old wives' tales about color and working ability of a dog, but that is simply that - an old wives' tale. (I have heard similar about red/white dogs.)
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Picky eater - Please i need some ideas :)
gcv-border replied to Chara R's topic in General Border Collie Discussion
If he has a good body score, he is eating what he needs (probably). Here are some thoughts since you don't describe your feeding routine. (You may already be doing some of these.) Feed twice per day - no leaving food out for him to graze as he wishes. If he hasn't finished in 10-15 minutes, pick up his food bowl. He does not get fed until the next routine feeding. I also add a topper to the dog's kibble AND I add a decent amount of water (maybe 1/2 cup) and mix it up into a stew. Although my dogs have 2 large water bowls in the house, they often pass on water when exercising. So I 'force' them to get a little water by mixing it with their food. I don't presoak the kibble, but that might be a strategy to try and see if it helps his appetite. Purina Pro Plan is a quality food, but I know that sometimes a dog just doesn't like a food. That is where the toppers can help. I have used the Purina Pro Plan Shredded Chicken kibble, but I have one hard keeper. I noticed that the PPP Chicken had fewer calories per cup than another PPP kibble (Sport). Once I switched to the Sport formula, my dog did gain a bit of weight. The point being that if your dog is too skinny and is not eating enough, perhaps change to a food that is more calorie dense. I quite frequently change up the kibble brand. About every 3 or 4 bags, I may buy another brand (Inukshuck, Wellness or ??), then go back to the PPP kibble. I am not a believer that a dog should eat the same kibble its entire life. You could use raw as a topper. I agree that I am confused about how to balance a raw diet for dogs which is why buying the prepared raw is comforting, but beyond the budget as the main diet. I can afford to use it as a topper once in a while. -
I have also heard the "double the weight at 4 months" theory. I think it as good as any, but obviously with very MANY exceptions. For example, one of my dogs is from a sire (about 40 lbs) and dam (about 33-35 lbs) who produced my dog (about 40 lbs) but also another brother who is about 55 lbs lean. It can go the other way too (ie smaller that either parent).
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So happy that Season 2 has dropped. I hope that it comes to Netflix soon! Very soon. I checked 2 nights ago, and they were not yet offering it.
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What can you do with an old border collie ?
gcv-border replied to adadrian's topic in General Border Collie Discussion
Definitely an older dog can learn new tricks !! As long as they are in good health. Many of my dog sports friends will transition their retired agility, flyball or disc dogs to nosework/Scentwork. Dogs love to use their minds so any activity that engages their mind, but is easier on their joints will be great. -
Thanks so much for the update! So looking forward to it. Those are some high white pups. At least the ears are black which usually indicates that their hearing is fine.
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Agree with Ruth.
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Signal boost —- For those of use who are long-time members, and for anyone who wishes to support a true rancher, another long- time member needs our help. I have always enjoyed Tea’s contributions over the years and have donated in hopes that she can continue the ranching lifestyle with her wonderful dogs. Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/uvsq6-life-crises Thank you in advance.
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Amazing. Thanks for the link.
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Good news - As a volunteer with BRBCR (Blue Ridge Border Collie Rescue), here is an update. Our rescue could have taken up to 9-10 fosters. Our intake coordinator contacted them Tuesday afternoon, then they were closed on Wednesday, and when she contacted them again on Thursday morning, all dogs had been either adopted locally or found places in rescue. Only 2 remained- one was HW+ (the only one of 79) and one that was ‘not nice’.
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I follow their FB page, and my understanding is that they only made one trip. They needed the weekend to mobilize all the resources needed, then made the trip today and returned with 38 or 39 dogs. That still leaves a LOT of dogs.