Cody & Duchess

Don't worry - I'll still think of you as tough and forceful - that is what makes you interesting. Along with that you have an intense love for your dog - that is what makes you lovable. Believe - Jin will get better . Sometimes we don't get our wishes - but until cold facts make them undeniable - believe. Believe that Jin will be hiking through the desert with you. Believe that he will demand your attention to the point it will annoy you. You believe, we all will believe - and send only good mojo your way. BELIEVE THAT JIN WILL GET BETTER.

So glad to hear the better news, still keeping our fingers and paws crossed. Looking forward to when Jin is sleeping cradled in your arms. Lots of good wishes coming from Florida.

I know how your heart is breaking- keep strong for Jin - you have said before - he is a strong dog - keep us updated , we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. From Cody, Duchess and Gail

You said it very well Mary. That helps me move in my mind from a do gooder warm an fuzzy person to why all alone is not right.

I have been thinking all morning about the post from Jo&Tex - the dog left alone and chained up in the back yard. Made me sad for the dog - but wondered if I was the one who is crazy. It is an condition that I have thought about before. Our dogs are pampered - no doubt about it. We have evolved to the crazy dog people who adjust their actions to take in the impact on the "dogs". They will never be just dogs to us. We have friends and relatives who feel that dogs are outside animals - never to set foot in the house. I look at our dogs- realizing what shock they would be in. I know that the outside dogs have a different life than mine - but is it just a cultural thing? I know my interaction with my dogs seems just as from Mars to them. I look at it from the stand point that we made dogs incredibly dependant on us - and we need to live up to that responsibility - others think providing basic food, water and shelter is sufficient. Maybe I am the one who is a little left of center.

We do a lot of hiking with the dogs - bring lots of water, treats, whistle, mylar blanket, folding bowls, halter, leash, tp, ziplock bags, - I like the above suggestion of a doggy first aid kit - what should go in it? Thanks.

Yes - this is what I love to read. Thanks, thanks, thanks - now if I could only get my Cody and Duchess to do the same. I have to vacuum at least twice a day because of all the junk they bring inside. ( In south Florida though - shouldn't complain - at least it is 78 degrees.

Thank you so much for the wonderful insight. I understand coming to it from a ranching background, having history in it and keeping a culture alive . I so admire the people who have taken it up ( either going as far as getting sheep or traveling a hour for training) who live in cities or suburdia. What made you start. The commitment is incredible. It is not like you see it on TV (I have only seen it on youtube). Is it the love for the dog? The love of the outdoors? Or the love of witnessing something truly incredible?

Our sheltie - Jake - who passed away a year ago - went from being very reactive to vacuums, etc - to not bothered at all. Unfortunately - the answer was the same as the above post - his hearing was going due to age.

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all the information on this website. I especially like peeking into the world of "herding trials" and the herding life. Some members have links to their own personal blogs or pictures - love those.Before this website - even though I owned a BC (got from rescue) - I never realized that there was the "herding world". I knew that there was agility , but not that there was still an active herding world. Question - those who participate in herding - are you ranchers who train your dogs because there is work to do or is it a hobby/sport that you participate it because of the beauty of it. Plus - in what sector of the country are you?

We are in the North - Angel Fire -from June to Mid November. God's country

Had a tough childhood - but my dog as a kid was my rock. Now, as an adult, my BC listens when I have just had a bad day. I love to run and Cody loves to run with me. His happiness out on the trail makes me want to keep going. I used to run competitively, but now I run just for the joy of running - me and my dog. We do not do any organized sport - but I think he gets enough exercise and stimulation without it. I would love to see in person a border collie in herding competition ( sure I didn't say it correctly) . I have been looking to see if there is any competition in Florida or New Mexico. But back to the original post - he is a great pet - a bundle of energy, I am grateful he came into our life. And yes - his other main job is he makes us laugh. You should see him with the jolly ball.

Your male - Jin or Jim?? Boy is he cute. Love the pictures. I have never had a puppy - they are sooooo cute. He is especially cute

My two dogs on leash ( it is a park rule). Other dogs off. Duchess does not like meeting other dogs when she is on leash. Solution - we have her sit - she gives her attention to us - they walk on by. Cody is Mr Rogers - he has no problem with dogs off leash. That is - dogs off leash that are well behaved. What to do with the off leash dog that is running in circles around you - trying to get to your dog. Our approach - Cody and I act as a buffer - trying to keep us between the charging dogs and Duchess/husband ( they hurry on). Most times this works. Tonight - 3 springers off leash were charging around us. The owners calling with the dogs ignoring them completely. Now Duchess is safely off, but Cody is starting to get greatly alarmed. He was straining at his halter ( that what do I do?? what do I do?? look on his face). Finally got him safely in the van with one of the springers still circling the van. WHAT SHOULD I HAVE DONE BETTER???? I recognize that I should have a better plan of action with these bomber fly by dogs. The ones that are running wildly ( really want to play- not listen to their owner). After a few buzzing - Cody is unnerved. Please what should I do. Making him sit seems stupid, running with him will just energize the other dogs more, and yelling at the other owners never a good course of action. Is there something magical that I can have him do (1) so he doesn't get fearful of other dogs and (2) continues to trust that I am a good judge of the situation. Thank you.

I pick up like Root Beer does. I do it often and early. My sheltie - who passed away a year ago March - in his later years had trouble with stairs and getting in the car. I carried him ( 45#) up and downs stairs all day ( probably around 10-15 times). Because he was used to being picked up, he never was stressed - it was just his personal elevator. My new dog Cody - was a stray and a year and half old when we got him. Started the pick up training shortly after we got him. Now he is comfortable. He is a big boy (45#) and lanky. One time he decided he wasn't going into one of those elevators that are attached on the outside of the building. Guess he didn't like the view. Reached down - picked up the big baby and went on our way. On thing though - I have hands like a basketball player - can easily palm a basketball and I am tall 5,10. So I have a really secure hold on the dog when they are lifted.

Hi Sadie's mom - now don't laugh - but I put a pair of boxer shorts on the dog when he came home. Put on so that the tail went out the slit. The dog looked funny - but took the issue of trying to get trying to chew out of the picture. Everytime we looked at the dog we smiled.

Your Pete would get along great with Cody and Duchess. Cody is the bigger dog - you would expect that something off the counter would be his escapade. We are very deligent about keeping things put away in the kitchen - but occasionally fail . We are never seen either dog get something off the counter - only evidence that it has occurred. What to do other than reprimand the human for not fulfilling their end of the deal. I swear that Duchess is next to Cody saying - yeh, yeh to the right, yeh- you got it, now push it over the edge to me. Don't worry I'll cover you.

I have a sweet, sweet BC boy. He has a funny quirk - only poops in his yard ( and in his specially designated place). Every once in a while he will do it when on a particularily long hike - but really prefers his own personal spots. You should hear how proud my husband and I are when he does it away from home. Good grief. Plus for me - no pooper bags on the walk around the neighborhood. The other thing - for both the dogs - they think that when you are on the toilet - it is a perfect, I mean PERFECT time for you to scratch their butts. They both will jockey to back them in. No privacy at all.

As a volunteer basic trainer at a shelter- they always want the dogs on the left , by your knee. I do this because that is what they want me to do. For my dogs - I like the flexibility of snapping my fingers , then pointing to where I want the dog to go. I know this isn't a long agreed upon method - but works with my situation. I really understand your concern about putting your dog on the "safe" side of you. I think the above posters are correct - of trying to teach as a new skill.

Here in Florida we have gators, snakes and armadillos. Of course sharks at the beach. We keep the dogs out of all the lakes, watch for snakes. Duchess chases the armadillos and Cody gives them a wide berth. We also have a place in Northern New Mexico - in the Sangre De Cristo mountains. Once there we had a small incident. I saw the headlines flashing in my head " Stupid Florida tourist impaled as their dog chased a buck straight at them". Thankfully the buck turned. We have elk, bear, coyote, deer, rabbit, etc out there. Always worried during rutting season. Dogs only go out at night on leash. Duchess - the 35 pnd BC/springer - treed a bear - thank goodness she came when we blew the whistle. Still debating about bear spray. Love the outdoors - but watch for wildlife like a hawk when walking the dogs. Hope to spot them first. Also, duchess prances with her nose in the air when something up - usually gives us a heads up. My ignorance of the risk from the wildlife probably puts me in some dumb situations - but I really love running trails also and Cody is my running buddy. He won't chase most wildlife - unless it is the size of a rabbit or smaller. Also -- love, love , love the pictures of your dog. He/she is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just back from a bad walk. Guns going off in the distance - duchess ( 5yr old bc/springer mix) hates gunfire. She hates fireworks also. New Years eve here in Florida lasts a week - firecrackers everynight.She will hold her bladder until morning to avoid having to go out with the noise. It doesn't even have to be close. I have really learned to hate it. We were on our daily walk - about 3 miles out on the trail - you could hear gunshots in the distance. Made the usual wonderful walk a test. She wants to zoom home and head under the bed. Is there anyway we can alter her behavior to not make her stress out so badly? (We got her when she was 5 mths old - had been kept chained in the backyard as a puppy. ) She seems to be getting even more sensitive the last few months.

Volunteer at a humane society - walking and training dogs. They have a pretty strict protocal ( I understand why - but sometimes cannot help myself) of what they want and do not want you to do. One thing they do not want is your face near the dog. My rescue BC - sometimes needs a hug (when the world gets to intense and his desire to please goes into warp speed). I know - maybe it is me that needs the hug - but holding him, stroking him slowly and whispering to him really seems to calm him down. I sometimes sit with dogs from the shelter ( after spending time with them to understand temperment) and just hold them and rock them. Mostly for strays who have never had training or owner surrenders that are traumatized that they are there. I think that I am comforting the dog. They almost always relax in my arms and rest their head on my shoulder. Am I reading human emotions into dogs? Or do some dogs just need a hug?

I will google the above mentioned grooming tools. I brush our dogs a lot. Still - have to vacuum daily ( dam white tile in the house). I am amazed my dogs aren't bald for all the hair I pick up. They both have thick coats. When we leave NM in November they seem to have gotten in their winter coats - return to FL - treat me to shedding for the next 5 months. Love the dogs dearly - but hair balls incredible.

We have 2 dogs - BC and BC/springer mix. The BC/springer mix loves the water - has to take oatmeal soaks to help with a pollen allergy - sits in the tub with my husband happily. We met a Texas rancher who admired our BC - said one on the great things about a BC is that their fur was self cleaning. ( We had our rescue only about 2 months at that point- age 1.5 when we got). We now bath the BC occasionally- he walks into the shower but looks like we have asked him to do the most awful thing. He suffers through the shower with the most mournful look. Question - are BC a breed that has fur that stays clean easily and/or if you do bath your dog - how often (as needed or regularly schedule). He sleeps on the bed -(bed covered with a flannel sheet that get cleaned). Thanks

My border collies have longish hair around their paws. Is this needed to protect their paws or can it be trimmed? It brings a lot of debris into the house. Thanks for your insight.