tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post3430572892221158179..comments2023-09-26T12:09:29.433-07:00Comments on Q&A: The Dogs Today Think Tank: A shadow over his characterBeverley Cuddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03544804932989118884noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-67057843544383213002009-03-09T13:40:00.000-07:002009-03-09T13:40:00.000-07:00Hi There Border Collie owner. May I start by congr...Hi There Border Collie owner. May I start by congratulating you on the amount of time you give your dog. Far too many people don't walk their dogs enough. 2 Hours is great. Bakers complete is a bad food, particularly for the more active breeds. It is crammed full of food colouring which is the equivalent of us feeding our kids skittles- not good. Collies need mental stimulation as well as lots of hard work. Try making your walks more about training. I would start by asking him to sit and practicing how far you can get from him, then sometimes call him to you and other times go back to him. You could also use the ball in a more productive way- try throwing it, walking him to heel away from it then send him back to find it- my Border Collies love this game. It may be that he is running off the adrenaline from chasing the ball. Also just chasing after the ball will prevent any actual socialisation and redcue his natural behaviour of marking and sniffing which will make him feel more relaxed. Both my Collies also work sheep and this is the only time they are truly tired as they have to use their bodies and their brains at high speed.<BR/><BR/>I think the behaviour is part of a pattern of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and removing this pattern has caused your dog frustration and he is displaying this by nipping you and trying to persuade you to throw the ball. Try to spend most walks without it and when you do bring it try the above to make him work for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-80826820374497745662009-03-08T00:35:00.000-08:002009-03-08T00:35:00.000-08:00As a matter of urgency (particularly considering y...As a matter of urgency (particularly considering you have children), STOP throwing a ball for Shadow - before he begins exhibiting similar over-stimulated, adrenalin-fuelled behaviour in other situations too. There are endless more constuctive ways in which to keep a collie physically and mentally stimulated. I too recommend 'Understanding the Border Collie' by Carol Price. Also, enrol in a good training class ASAP. The better Shadow's general obedience, the easier it will be to promptly correct unwanted behaviour in a potentially difficult situation. As a starting point I recommend a class which will help you and Shadow achieve the Kennel Club's Good Citizen Awards. These will concentrate on training Shadow to be under-control in every-day situations. You don't say how old your children are, but obviously you need to take precautions and ALWAYS err on the side of caution. I would install baby-gates in your house so that Shadow can be seperated from where they are playing when you are unable to supervise. If they are old enough, take them to training classes with you. Consistently reinforce in them the appropriate way to interact with Shadow - and how to spot the early signs of unwanted behaviour so that they can call on mum for help.<BR/>ClaireAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-4137215519773052662009-03-07T02:33:00.000-08:002009-03-07T02:33:00.000-08:00I've heard of border collies behaving like this. ...I've heard of border collies behaving like this. I absolutely love them but am not sure I could cope with their need for stimulation and exercise. I read once a comment by a vet, which was that they could easily have up to 30 miles a day running and still not be tired.<BR/>But many people do manage very well and I'm sure you could if you knew how. At least you are prepared to give your BC a decent walk.<BR/>Why don't you get that book by the border collie expert Carol Price? I'm sure she would have some helpful tips.<BR/>Julia LAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com