Rebecca

I'm in Alabama and today's a better day. I'm going to just slow down, and take it one step at a time. Thanks again to everyone. Have a great weekend. Namaste' Cindy

Thanks Evanea, Kris, Debbie and Melanie. At the moment I'm just feeling pretty overwhelmed and a little bit "out of my mind " just like Cody. I am like so in over my head. Sad for me, bad for my dogs. So, I'm back to the beginning. I think I will simply concentrate on getting a rock solid down, which I don't yet have. Don't get me wrong, my dogs are good dogs. I just want them to be able to do the agility, flyball and obedience, mainly because I want to keep them occupied at something they can enjoy. And I enjoy it too. If I can't offer them sheep, I want to give them something. The problem is that I'm having to learn at the same time that I am teaching them. Sorry to unload..frustrating day. I want so much to do right by them and everytime I turn around it seems I've screwed something else up. Debbie, you said that you correct your dogs if they bite, no matter the reason. What exactly do you do when you correct them? Thanks. Namaste' Cindy

Doesn't seem to work. He's so excited that I think he just temporarily loses his mind. I mean he stops when I say "off" and then will just do it again on the next run. And yes I am hesitant to go much beyond that in class. At home I tried a water bottle spray in the face, but all that did was keep him at a distance and not close enough to do the jumps, etc. If I correct too harshly, will that keep him from "wanting" to work for me? I'm being torn between two different philosophies, and my class philosophy just doesn't seem to be working. For example, I wanted to train without treats and I was told no. But I want my dogs to work because I tell them to, not because there is a treat. I may reward them at the end of the morning, but not after every 5 minutes. Just wanted to hear from someone else in agility with a border collie. These are my first dogs and my first experience training. Boy what all I need to learn! I am so grateful for this board. Namaste' Cindy

Cody, my 15 month old male border collie continues to nip at me when I run beside him in agility class. He'll jump up and grab my sleeve or nip at my feet. I'm actually afraid almost to run beside him because of this. Nobody seems to know how to stop this. I could of course use a pretty harsh correction to make him stop and maybe that's what it will take. But thats hard to do on the field when the instructors want only praise. And yes I suppose I could do it at home and correct him. Any advice as far as the agility work goes? He loves being out there. Namaste' Cindy and Cody

Thanks to all for your help. Ive never owned a BC before and I think he's just smarter than me !!!! I've got to be somewhat firmer and more consistent. Thanks for the advice.

You may be right about the "pack" thing. He never does this to my husband. However, I'm the one that works the dog. I do think he's just playing. But what do you mean by "I never let him get away with it?" I correct him every time he does it, but he continues to do it and has since I got him. I'm convinced that I'm just not getting through to him. If he understood that I meant business, I think he would stop. I have asked the trainers (repeatedly), but so far, nothing has worked. Believe me, I don't blame the dog, I blame myself. He is so smart and so loving and wants to please. Thanks for your help. !!

I have a wonderful 10 month old boder collie. He has gone through puppy class and 2 levels of obedience. He has just begun flyball and agility classes. He loves it and so do I. But...... if I try to run with him, he bites the leash and pulls, or jumps and nips at me or bites at my feet. I originally bought him to run distance with me. I've tried "no, stop it!", I've tried bitter apple (he loves it!), Ive tried hot pepper salse, but that's pretty impracticle, and I've tried grabbing his muzzle. I've also tried ignoring him. I am at a loss. PLEASE HELP. thanks. [This message has been edited by Rebecca (edited 07-21-2000).]