That sweet and curious puppy has turned into a crazy nightmare. What can you do? The kids love her and so do you!
We adopted Rascal a little over 10 years ago from a local, reputable breeder. She was 8 weeks old when my husband and I met her among 7 other wiggly, playful, puppies. We brought her home at 12 weeks as a Christmas surprise for our four children. She was so easy to train and learned unbelievably fast. She could sit, beg, shake hands, and use the “potty” outside. We all fell in love with her very quickly; we had other “normal” dogs before, but this was our first Border Collie. There was a lot to learn about this special breed. Here are 5 things we learned the hard way-more often than not-about the Border Collie. Read on to find tips to save yourself time and headaches and avoid heartache.
1. Socialize your pup! I can not stress this enough!
As I mentioned, we had other “normal” dogs before, but this was our first experience with a Border Collie. Our first, and probably the most significant mistake was that we did not “socialize” her. Meaning, we did not bring her right away to meet other people or dogs. Therefore she only knew us as her “pack” and became extremely protective of us, especially the kids. When friends would come by, several weeks after we got her, she would growl, bare her teeth, bark, and corner the person. This was HORRIFYING to me! She was great with my kids, my husband and I, but clearly could not handle others in her territory. My solution was to put her in her room-aka the laundry room-when we had guests. This was so sad to me. She has since become accustomed to certain people who visit often, but is still somewhat wary around strangers.
2. The next thing we quickly learned was, this puppy needed a job!
Border Collies are considered the most intelligent breed. They are super easy to train to “go potty” outside, sit, beg, stay, and fetch. They have an energy level unsurpassed by anything. A large yard or acreage is best for them to run and play. A small yard or a short walk around the block won’t be enough. A bored Border Collie is a destructive Border Collie. They thrive in a routine schedule; they like to know what is next and what is expected.
So how do you keep them occupied?
Border Collies are extremely intelligent and were bred to work. They are skilled herders and were originally used for herding. They will herd your kids, other pets, geese, you name it. It’s deeply in their DNA-it is pure instinct. Therefore these intelligent dogs need a tremendous amount of mental and physical stimulation. They will stare at you intently, a signature feature of the Border Collie, for a long period of time waiting for their next assignment. They are hoping it will be a game of frisbee, playing catch, putting their toys away in a basket, or finding their toys. This will help them get the activity they crave and need. Rascal still gets excited when we say “Go find your toy!”
Kids, like the BC, have a ton of energy. Include the kids and have them teach the commands, play fetch, and run around the yard. You will be amazed at what they will accomplish together.
3. Be sure to keep them healthy
Regular shots and checkups at the vet will help your friend and companion. The Border Collie, like many medium-to-large dogs, has typical health issues, including:
- Hip Dysplasia which leads to arthritis and can be very painful when they stand from the laying position, or chasing a ball.
- Parasites like fleas, ticks, heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, and whipworms can make your dog very sick and some parasites can transfer to humans. This is easily preventable and is relatively inexpensive considering what it could be if these parasites infected your dog or family.
- Infections, such as distemper, parvo, and rabies can be avoided with vaccinations.
- Obesity is very common in BCs, so avoid giving her food that is not part of her diet. I know it can be tough when they are intently staring at you like they are so very hungry, even though they just ate half an hour ago!
4. Procure your pooch the perfect pad
Remember Border Collies love routine! If they are told to go to their bed, place, or whatever term you use, they will. They are very good at settling down for the night if they have had enough activity during the day. Dog beds come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. Rascal prefers hers to have sides and a back on her size large bed. Dogs do not like being squished, but they do like sides it helps them feel warm and safe. Be sure they are washable and waterproof. If a dog bed is not in the budget, try an old pillow, but put a waterproof cover on before the soft pillow case. You can also use old rugs, blankets, or a box with a sheet in it. Dogs are pretty good at finding the most comfortable place possible. Find a special spot in your home and designate it to you new family member!
5. Patience
Your patience will be tried time and again. Establish rules and boundaries right away and you will be well on your way to an incredible relationship with this incredible breed. You may need to give it a year or two, but then you will have a very smart, fun, and happy friend for a very long time!
We were able to persevere through the turbulent times and now we have a fun, intelligent, eager, and lovable member of the family and we couldn’t imagine life without her!
Do you have any tips for bringing home a new pet? What worked for you? I’d love to hear your stories!