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gcv-border

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Everything posted by gcv-border

  1. Julie, thanks for notifying here. It is so hard to accept that another legend is gone. I think I have all his books, but will double check on "The American Homeplace". I will definitely re-read "The Dog Wars".
  2. Agree with the 2 posts above. And, if you think that Millie is having a negative effect on the situation, I would institute some separation time for the 2 dogs, and would do some play and/or positive reinforcement training with Kobe. Even if it doesn't improve the situation, you wlii probably gain more insight into his behavior issues. Please keep us updated once the behaviorist has seen Kobe. Good luck.
  3. Post it in the "General ....." section.
  4. Please repost this in the "General" section. You will get many replies. This section is only for asking questions about working livestock with border collies.
  5. Just read this sad thread last night. On the plus side, CptJack, I loved this video of Molly.
  6. I watched the video twice -- and I am aware of the other thread you started discussing the use of e-collars (or stim collars or whatever the current euphemism is). I am not going to repeat all the excellent advice you received in the other thread, but seeing this video confirms exactly what others have already stated. This poor dog is behaving from a place of uncertainty and fear of when the next 'stim' is going to hit him. I can pick out the dogs that are trained with these collars when I see them walking down the street -- in lock-step with their owners, afraid to move away from their side. I don't think anyone should use these collars on a dog unless they are willing to put the same collar on their NECK (not their arm) to experience the stim.
  7. I remember seeing an ad for pet cbd oil at cleanrun.com Just search for cbd oil on their website. They are a very reputable company and should be able to answer your questions.
  8. Is he on joint supplements? They won't magically make his aches and pains disappear, but may take the edge off. Have you considered CBD oil?
  9. LOL - on the Saturday video. Interesting that NADAC is getting less flow-ey? The lack of tight turns was a hallmark of NADAC, and what set it apart from AKC, USDAA, etc.
  10. Agree with D'Elle. There is no way to proof every possible thing that could happen in an urban environment.
  11. I don't know. She looked pretty good. And wide turns often result as the speed ramps up, which may not be a bad thing?? Second run - that looked great too, except out of the tunnel where you pushed her out. Not by a hand/arm gesture, but because you were too close. Does she have a pretty big bubble? (Those types of dogs can be a challenge!) It was good to see that you were able to settle her down after that.
  12. Super Congratulations for hanging in there.
  13. Pups can be spoken for before the breeding happens - particularly if the dam or sire is an impressive dog. It is not unusual to hear someone tell the owner of a dog "If you plan to breed X, I want a puppy." There is no guarantee that the owner will remember that statement, so usually the 'buyer' may check back with the owner every so often. Also no guarantee that the bitch will get pregnant with a breeding or the # of pups to pop out. As an 'outsider' to the sheepdog industry, I probably would not be able to reserve a pup in this manner. IMHO, deposits given to a reputable breeder (and one who has been breeding quality dogs for a # of years) wouldn't worry me. I trust they would refund my monies. (Note: I do rely on a few people who are in the sheepdog industry to advise me on the reputation and honesty of a breeder I might be interested in buying a puppy from.) Having said that, in my very limited experience, if the breeder knows you or a mutual friend can vouch for you, sometimes verbal interest is enough.The breeder may keep a list of people who have expressed interest in the upcoming litter. They may ask for a deposit once the bitch is bred or once pregnancy is confirmed by U/S. Be prepared to put down a deposit ASAP once pregnancy is confirmed. Again, this is a general example. Every breeder has his/her own policies, and you should ask up front. The breeder may accept deposits for an average size litter. If there are fewer than expected, those buyers added later to the list will not get a puppy. If there are more pups, more buyers can be added to the list. It is a very fluid situation. In my case, my first real working bred dog came from a breeder who was willing to take a chance on me. Then, I asked her to help me find another puppy 4 years later. I must have sent her about 20 internet posts advertising various pups or litters, and I kept getting back a 'No'. :-) Then one day, a post popped up on her FB feed for the last puppy in a litter, and she forwarded it to me with a note that she thought this was a good breeding. (pedigree and health clearances and working ability) The breeder asked me for references because she didn't know me. I was a bit taken aback, but had to laugh. 'I' am usually the one to ask for references because I foster for a border collie rescue, and was not used to being on the opposite side of the equation. I passed and soon welcomed a lovely little bitch puppy, now 8 months old. I must say that the availability of a puppy seems to coincide with a period in one's life when you may not be 100% prepared.
  14. For an alternative activity for your dog in the city, look up parkour / canine parkour. You begin to think of urban structures as parkour objects. Maybe makes it a bit more interesting? There are several organizations that offer parkour titles, but since I do not participate, I can not tell you the pros and cons of the different organizations. I am not a big fan of titles, but to achieve a title, you generally have to train for a goal - which is a good thing. You also have to video your efforts to submit for judging towards a title.
  15. Enzymatic cleaner. Be aware that it takes about 2 weeks for the full effect (IIRC per bottle directions).
  16. I agree. Definitely should have dropped by now. At this point, the canal through which they descend has probably closed small enough that they can not fit through - therefore herbs, etc. will not work.
  17. Check the amount of Omegas in his food to make sure they are of sufficient concentration. Many dog food brands will advertise that that their food contains omega, or probiotics, or glucosamine, but in such low concentrations that they are useless.
  18. I saw that photo within the last week, but forget where I saw it. I wondered what color the dog was.
  19. I had been using Dasuquin + MSM for about 8 years for one dog that had shoulder surgery at 3 years of age. Recommended by rehab vet. Since he was never lame or stiff, I couldn't tell if it was working, but just continued giving it to him under the belief that it wasn't hurting, but hopefully helping. Recently, my chiro vet suggested switching to Platinum Performance CJ because she considers it better than Dasuquin. Now that he is over 11 years old, he is slowing. The PP CJ may have improved mobility slightly, or it may be wishful thinking on my part. Another product is 1TDC - which is heavily marketed in the agility world and has testimonials from some top competitors (and in my cynicism, I am sure they are compensated for promoting the product).
  20. After dealing with multiple instances of TBDs - in spite of diligent application of monthly tick repellants, I have no patience with waiting for bloodwork results, or seeing if my dog gets worse. I will treat in a heartbeat if Ithere is the possibility of a TBD. I don't see much of a downside to a month of doxy, whereas the effects of chronic Lyme, etc. can be very damaging. I had a vet that would treat himself, his wife and three dogs with doxy on an annual basis. This is not something I am willing to take a 'wait and see' attitude about. Treat your dog
  21. Great news! So sad for Bonnie, but I am sure you make it up to her in other ways.
  22. Great story! I also think that is a scary pig - sort of like the scary clown.
  23. D'Elle has great advice. I want to add that Willow may be entering those dreaded teenage years when it seems like they have lost their brains and training and really start testing the boundaries. Just remain calm and consistent in your approach during this time. Pretty dog.
  24. It does sound like she is WAY over threshold, and her brain can not think in that condition. Not only is she in a highly stressed environment (agility class), but it sounds like she loves it (higher excitement), and now you are running away from her (brain blown !!!). :-) Do your instructors run highly motivated dogs - like border collies? If not, then they may not understand that this exercise is most likely needless for your dog. There is a difference in some exercises when it comes to dogs that have a built-in engine. You do not need to pump them up. They are already pumped up. By doing some of the motivational exercises that other dogs need to do in order to learn to love the game, your dog rockets past the ability to think. Rethink, and talk to your instructors, about the necessity of this exercise for your dog. If this were my dog (and yes, I have had a couple of easy-to-go-over-threshold BCs), I would be working on a variation where you try to keep her thinking, not reacting like a crazy dog. Start with shorter distances. Maybe even only 5 feet, and see how she reacts. Also, in the beginning, walk or trot, instead of running. I would want to dial it back to a level where my dog will go after the toy, instead of me. Then begin to slowly work your way up to longer distances and a faster pace. Another change (and this one was suggested to me by a world team member in a video course I was taking) is to use food, or another less valuable reinforcement. My dog loves his tug so much that if I have been playing with him with the tug, and I put it on the ground, he will stand or lie down over it and stare at it. I have tried showering him with bits of chicken (literally, a big handful of chicken which I drop on his head) - which he ignores because he is so fixated on the tug. His brain is not thinking.
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