Cody & Duchess

The thundershirt works for us. I have 4 dogs - 2 terrified of thunder, 1 who thinks he should be because of the other two, and one who could care less. One was so bad, she would try running from place to place in a panic. With the thundershirt on, she stays in her bed. She is not happy, but she is also not in panic mode. I thought it would probably not work, but after talking to two owners who said that it made it bearable, I decided why not. She is comfortable in the shirt, even can sleep in it. I try to get the shirt on before the storms hit.

I am by nature a checker. I check the ears, the fur, the skin, the paws. I just do this so often, that all of my dogs have become very used to " let me see your belly". I also have white tile floors - so they are very used to having their paws cleaned. Someone on this board mentioned that you should let the dog know which paw you are lifting, so I tap and say this one, so not to take them by surprise. All of my dogs are from rescue, and two were probably two when we got them. None had much socialization. It was still pretty easy to get them used to being manhandled - I just did it a lot and babied them while I did it. That being said...... I have been wondering. My big BC boy Cody - if we are out and he gets a burr in his pad - he stops, holds his paw up and does not move ( waiting for me to come over and fix the problem). Sometimes the burr has not held onto his paw - so when I check the pad and I tell him he is okay, he trots off happily. Have a ruined this majestic dog? What would his fellow working dogs think of his wimpy ways? I can just imagine a dog standing on the steep hills of Scotland overlooking his sheep saying " Please put your paw down and get back to work".

So sorry for your loss. Tex is and was loved a lot. What an incredible journey for you both.

I also want to thank you for your service ( as well as your husband) I know those left at home have a heavy burden to bear. My dog - Gracie - gets a visit about once a year from the gentleman (an real angel) who saved her from being put down. Gracie knew him from the shelter she was kept at - he worked at training her and played with her. Every year Gracie recognizes him and is over the top excited. I also think a tee shirt with your husband's smells helps. Don't be surprised if after your DH is there about 10 minutes that your dog pouts. My dogs have a little attitude if they have been left for more than a day. Like - okay, I know that you are here now and I am happy, but I am going to pout to show you I am mad that you went away. They always get over it within the hour. Get a video of the home coming - it will bring you smiles for years to come.

I have followed your progress with Kelso with great interest and applaud all of your success. Kelso sounds like an amazing dog, and you are a saint. The dog you describe sounds like a wonderful dog to share ones life with. I have four rather odd dogs, all with really funny issues ( all from rescue). Their odd duck things though, are my normal. I know to expect them, I manage them, and I laugh with them. Getting a dog to trust you that has bonding issues is one of the must rewarding tasks. I have also found, as long as you do nothing to destroy that trust and work everyday to strengthen it..... that dog ,in their most unique way, will be that most incredible dog ever. There is a good home out there for this dog. Someone will love this dog for all it is worth and be very grateful for all the good work you have put in. Good luck and keep up the good work. Thank you for sharing.

The 8 and 6 year old we have now - we picked. The additional 6 yr old and 2 year old, picked us. So, with four dogs now, the thought of lossing any one of them takes my breath away. Yet, I know someday that day will come. Miss Boots, age 2 - our border collie, great pyrenees mix- we weren't looking to add another dog, absolutely not. Yet, she was dumped at our community stables and followed my husband home. Sometimes you just have to throw wisdom to the wind and let your heart guide you.

What I take from this very important discussion is - not whether to PTS or treat, not whether to manage pain or try to cure - but the soul searching pain (driven by love) that each and every dog owner here goes through in an attempt to do the right thing. How after they have left us, even for years, their memory can still bring tears to our eyes. How each dog gave so much to us to leave such a lasting impact on us after they are here no more. Then I think of the dogs that I see in the shelter that I volunteer at. Underweight, scarred,scared and unwanted. Wish more people were concerned to do the right thing.

So sorry for your loss. There never seems to be enough time. They come in and become such an important part of our life, then all we have to hold is their memory. Run fast and free Misty, god speed.

So sorry for your loss, there is never enough time. Run fast and free Kati.

So, so sorry for your loss. May her memory bring you smiles as the days go by.

I often think of how much wisdom dogs impart to us when we interact with them. You have given Kelso an extraordinary gift but I think that he makes you wiser every day with new found insights, patience, and determination. Thanks for your efforts and the updates.

I have four dogs from rescue and worry that I short change the dogs because I have to spread my time. Then I reflect that I am not perfect - but nobody is. We all do the best we can - you have done an amazing job with Kelso. Cody - was the most skittish dog you have ever seen - afraid of everything. He has been with us three years now - and I call him the Diplomat. He likes all dogs, likes all people, he is the dog that intercepts other dogs for me if the other dog if off leash. Cody couldn't even walk without having one side of himself against a wall. Now - he has done agility for fun, run in the mountains with me, and is the best camping buddy ever. Time can heal, you just cannot rush it. You should be patting yourself on the back for a job well done. Okay - I will do it.... pat, pat, pat.

Laura - so very sorry about Sophie. Your decision is unbearable. I wish that I had some profound input. Just know that we are sending only good thoughts your way. Good luck.

She didn't get it from these boards. I find this forum an incredible source of information - both for my own BC and for work I do at the local shelter. I just adopted a german short haired pointer and searched for a similar resource for that breed. I looked high and low - have not found anything to rival the depth and diversity that the BC board supports. I , for one, wish to thank all who contribute and Eileen and crew who put up with us all.

Surviving what you have gone through the last year will give you a quiet peace. It will give you the knowledge that you can survive anything and come out stronger on the other side. Take a deep breath, hold your head high.

The chew hooves were recalled- hope they are back soon. We take american cheese and put triangles in the inside - microwave to melt, refrigerate to harden. Ask our dogs = do you want a cheese bone? and they go flying to the seats.

Welcome, I am impressed that you could get such a good picture with that many dogs in the frame. What a wonderful looking pack- they must keep you very busy.

Have you tried a Jolly Ball? The one with the rope through it, not the handle. I would quess there are some border collies that don't like that toy- but not many. You may wish that you never gave it to him- once he is hooked he will bug you incredibly to throw it. Good luck. Plus - post a picture - you boy looks like my Cody.

When I first read your post I decided not to respond because I don't know how to fix your problem. After reading again thought I would tell you about our dog Cody, who we got from rescue- took a whole year before he would step foot in the garage. We had to back the car out for him to get in- he just wasn't going in. Now- he will follow Duchess into the garage for a quick jump into the car- but I am absolutely confident, if I were to leave him in the garage all hell would break loose. Cody has never destroyed anything- but put him in a garage and all bets are off. I don't know if the border collie intelligence simply has decided that the garage is not a good place. His people are not in the garage, their scent is not in the garage, maybe he is trying to tell you he should not be in the garage. In the end- good luck with the behaviorist.

I think the humans failed Annie. She clearly communicated- leave me alone. Your wife should have protected her so that she did not have to act on her own. That being said- hind sight is 20-20. Annie trusts you, for whatever reason she is uncomforable with your son. Your plan of action sounds good - but please hug Annie and tell her it is okay.

In December had a foster dog who shadowed Cody always. More than a few time he stuck his head in to see what Cody was doing and got a shower. It never seemed to faze him - it got his head cleaned a lot though.

Good thinking. We fostered a dog that needed to recover after surgery. They sent him home with one of those hard cones. What a weapon. The dog shadowed me and kept on hitting me in the back of the leg with the cone. It hurt. Plus I got to clean up spilled water bowls, stuff knocked over - because the dog has no sense of where the cone was. Good luck on the recovery.

Just wanted to tell you - tomorrow will be a better day. You thought you were making good progress - you probably are making good progress. One bad day doesn't negate all of your hard work. Good luck.

Cody - who was scared and shy when I got him, is now Mr. Rogers. When we have company - he gets so excited he yipps - this big, male border collie who is 50 plus pounds squeals in a high yip. He will yip until who ever arrived pets him - then off he goes. At agility - when we first arrive - he yips in excitement at seeing the other owners and their dogs. He still does what I ask of him, he just yips until he can calm himself down.

blackdawg, herdcentral - Thank you for a thoughtfully written description of your experiences with your fear aggression dogs. You highlighted that the fix is not fast or easy. That steely determination with a consistant hand is needed. Thanks for all you did with your dogs and your insightful answer.