Sheepdogs as Pets

Breeding

A word here about the Border collie as a pet or rather, as a companion - our own collie falls into this category. The photograph is of Jaanci.

Jaanci They do make good companions provided their handler understands how the collie brain works. It has to be kept stimulated and they must be kept busy 'doing things'.

It is said that the brain of the Border collie needs as much, if not more, exercise then its body.

The rise in Dog agility classes (and Flyball) could be considered very downmarket for your working collie handler but they provide stimulated activity for what might end up a frustrated and potentially vicious dog.

Jaanci, our Border collie bitch has a varied life style as we spend all our waking hours together.

She has learned how to find a ball using the traditional working commands.

We have to say that she was considered unable to work sheep when she came to us but that all changed with her new owner and she has successfully worked several flocks under the guidance of one or other of our trainers.

Many people have asked about taking their pet collie to working dog classes to see if it will work sheep.

In fact we were recently asked if a Labradoodle would work sheep! And there is someone with a part husky/collie who is interested in classes.

We suggest that maybe working a dog with sheep may not be the best option for these pet collies as it could be considered cruel to wake the herding instinct and then not follow through. There is a lot more to working a dog with sheep then just putting the dog behind them! One needs to understand how the sheep operate - sheepsense! And of course there is always the practice that one needs between training sessions.

So you need sheep!

So, if you do not have sheep or have acces to them then you could be causing yourself a very big problem. Better to increase the agility classes.

If you do not want a busy dog DO NOT OWN A COLLIE! They are not for the faint hearted. A 10 month old bored collie pup can be the worst of nightmares! We have had a lot of phone calls from frantic owners with the ultimate in delinquents. The worst offenders are those with a samllish house/flat, several children and a tiny garden and little access t big open spaces. These owners get angry when the fluffy bundle they bought 'for the children' end up biting them!

A Border collie owner needs to be a reponsible handler - if you cannot step up to the mark DO NOT OWN A COLLIE

Apologies to those to whom we may have caused offence - we are thinking of the dog, here!

There are dozens of Border Collies in Rescue homes!

Frequently Border collies become ‘Rescue dogs’ and develop problems when re-homed. By virtue of the very word ‘rescue’, a great deal of empathy and love will be given to the dog. Unfortunately this is just not what the dog needs at the onset of the new relationship.

A dog with severe behaviour problems is one with very low self esteem and this dog is in pain when it is fearful.

Giving the dog affection when it is nervous makes it more nervous – and therefore giving affection when dog is apprehensive reinforces that apprehension. The dog needs a strong energy to follow

Remember, dogs are pack animals and need to have a good leader. They are also, by nature, socialble - they live in packs in the wild. A collie living on its own can become very distressed and depressed.

Strong leadership – command preferably of one word only then when the dog feels secure – it will learn to trust and therefore behave

Dog must have definite parameters and a definite routine

It is always the human behaviour pattern that needs to alter When dogs become humans they are controlling you

Possessiveness towards handler is a dominant behaviour trait

Love is not going to rehabilitate a psychological problem

Dogs will not follow lovable leaders and it is extremely important for handlers to accept his.

Walking on lead at heel will be the best method of changing dog’s behaviour – handler to walk in ‘strong’ mode – chest thrown out – ‘I am in charge’

Calm assertive walk by handler – any distractions for the dog – it will learn to deal.

Use choke chain with lead attached to chain behind both ears. There must be strong energy

Until the dog can see that there is a strong handler they will not trust

The handler will need to move into a new role before the dog will release its fear.

LEAD THE DOG THEN LOVE THE DOG.

List of places where advice about Border collie behaviour can be found.

Barbara Sykes www.bordercollies.co.uk