Aleksandra 157

Thanks so much,Powerlegs.Yes,I think he has several strange behaviors developed recently.eg...loves the car,we take him out a lot.Though lately he hides on the floor in the back till we are past a neighboring property which he's been past hundreds of times...no problem.This morning,in my bedroom he noticed a small raffia heart I had put on the wall a week ago.I was watching him and he really panicked even after I got it down and let him sniff it.My intuition tells me more is going on here.The support really helps..thank you all.

Thank you so much, Hazywal.I just love your photo of the greyhounds,also a beautiful breed!

Thank you so much,Persephone,I appreciate the hugs!It really is dreadful as I know the likely outcome.He nipped my granddaughter last Xmas,after they came to stay.I said I would put him in kennels,but they said he'd be fine,result they packed and left because I would not hit him! Bad alround as they had flown from Sydney to see us.Fortunately she is14 so not a small child.I feel I cannot go on with the situation much longer,and only "true dog people"understand,hence my posts.We got him to replace my JSpitz who had a heart attack during the ChCh earthquakes.I was foolish though to get a large breed at my age,should have known better.I still have my female6yr old JS and I have to watch her carefully now as Jesse is different with her.We never leave them together.I will work with my vet(excellent) and trainer and come to the right decision for Jesse.Thank you for the support.

I am so sad for you,Hugs....

Thanks so much for replying so quickly.Un fortunately we were due to start working with an excellent trainer last week,but with the leg she postponed it,although I'll see if she can come and observe him next week.He is in his inside pen most of the time for the next few weeks.As we are fairly remote it isn't as easy as if we lived near a city.I have been working with an online trainer for a few months but it is not like him being here.I should of added that he comes from an excellent breeder ,who has not come across this problem before.,but has been very supportive.

Jesse is a male 18 month rough collie,recently had the op as above.He also has a broken canine tooth (being monitored for infection,but o k.) The underlying problem is he has always shown territorial aggression.He broke his tooth attacking an outside light5ft high,metal and in concrete,because he could not get through the fence to people walking up the public walk beside our rural property.His leg was done running the fence as well.He has always had fear issues,hates visitors,and his aggression is now to me.Obviously,I make allowances for pain in his leg,he is now in a splint,.last night we got home from the vet (perfectly behaved) and he soon had the floor covered in cotton wool.I bent down to pick it up,about two feet away,he lunged and bit my arm,breaking the skin.Similar incident the previous night.He is on pain relief and calmex.I've had him from 10 weeks,he is an indoor dog,we are retired so home all day.Our property is rural and plenty of room to run.He is the 8th dog I've had(usually 2at a time) and I've never had this before.My previous rough collie was very gentle.I am beginning to think this could be a genetic issue.Any thoughts would be so appreciated,as it's having an effect on my health and stress in the household in general.I should add he has been raised totally with PR ,so no aversive training or similar.We love him so much but I don't feel he's a happy dog,and this breaks my heart.Thank you for reading such a long post...Alex.

It's great to know these options,SL,I will definitely have the bloods and fluids!He's getting really bored with not being able to run! We sometimes put the two of them in the car and take them for a drive, just to give them a change of scenery.Only a dog lover would understand that!He is crate trained,I always make sure I do that right from the start.Easier for everybody!I love the photo of your Staffy. :)

Thank you so much,Countrygirl.Yes,I'm very afraid of the anaesthetic.My J Spitz heart stopped and he died as soon as it went in 18 months ago.I'm still getting over it.It was after he'd been terrified with all the earthquakes in Christchurch and apparently his heart was weakened.I think this is probably why I'm so upset about Jesse.

Thanks so much,Staffyluv,that sounds exactly what has to be done.I remember my Keeshond had her cruciate ligaments done several years ago.The vet is great,I have every confidence in him,but he has an accent and I don't always "get it".Understand it better now you've explained it.Thanks again.Alex.

Jesse has a torn ligament in his ankle,which requires an operation to reattach it to the bone.I just wondered if anybody has any knowledge of this?The vet has only come across it once before.I think he did it racing around our water tank ( he made a track and would tear around it after a car left ).At first it was not swollen,but he would hold it up for a minute or two then be fine.Vet said just to rest it and give painkillers.A few days later I noticed a lump behind the knee joint.This was apparently bone trying to reconnect and an operation is essential !He is an 18 month rough collie,slightly overweight so he has to lose another kg before op can go ahead.There is a very long name for this which I can't remember ,but I would be so grateful to hear from anybody with any experience of this.Thank you.

We usually take both the dogs.Always check they are dog friendly first,although our local ones know us now.It's strange that Jesse ,who earlier wa s quite reactive,is perfectly behaved at a cafe.Both sit under the table and don't murmur ,although if Jesse was on a walk and same people walked past ,he would bark.Never quite been able to work that out!I just have to watch that long collie nose is well away!! :)

I agree it sounds like car sickness.Maybe the vehicle vibrates or something a bit different to the old one?In NZ we have calmex tabs which could help till he settles.I use them on my JS for traveling,but you would only need a very small amount.Lu is 6kg and I give her 1/2 cap.Would check with a vet before using though!Good Luck. :)

My heart broke for you when I read about Ice.I lost my heart dog,Katie my darling Keeshond ,5years ago from cancer and I think of her every day.A picture of her and I is always on my bedside table.I had Suki as well,but Katie went through so much with me,like you I couldn't imagine life without her! I have two more babies now that I love so much,but a don't think I'll ever have another Katie.I send you very big hugs.

Thanks Natsu chan,yesterday I emailed an excellent NZ trainer(don't think I'm allowed to name him on here).After phoning him and researching him online,I signed up for daily video training.Not as good as one on one but that is not an option at present as he is in Auckland and I in Nelson Even after one lesson I have learned a lot ,so will keep you updated.Am still waiting for H.to take the photos for me to post. :)

Yay,I just found the collie thread!Persephone you are so right.This incident could have had disastrous results and I will never let it happen again.The problem in small town NZ,is it's so hard to find qualified peopleI I moved here after the ChCh earthquakes,but really am struggling with not being near hospital facilities for myself and professional people for the dogs!I've never had a dog as reactive as Jesse and in retrospect I should have got a smaller breed at my age!I did try for 12 months to get another Keeshond ,as I have had two and find them easy to manage,however I would have had to import from Oz.Thank you for your reply and thank you Natsu chan for putting me onto the collie thread! :)

Thanks so much! Your girls are just beautiful! I will crate him next time anybody comes,fortunately I bought a large crate/pen so he's fine in there.It's strange as we sometimes take both dogs to local cafes and he is like a lamb!Sits under the table and doesn't murmur ....but walk on leash and see another dog...all hell breaks loose!As I am quite small I just can't hold him.Fortunately we have 2acres so he has plenty of exercise,chasing rabbits etc.I wonder if I should just accept him as he is,and realize he prefers to just be around us and cannot go off leash.We had an awful incident at the beach recently,I always keep him leashed but husband let him off as we were th only ones there.Fine until a lady came up behind him unexpectedly and before H could grab him Jesse nipped her ankles!I tried to catch her up but she disappeared.He did not draw blood but would have given her a real fright!I've been upset about it ever since as in 40yrs I've never had a dog bite anybody.Having said all this,rehoming is out of the question as we love him so much ,as he does us.Sorry to rave on and thank you for reading it,just feeling discouraged.I will post photos as soon as H is home,as I can't do it ! :)

Would love a thread on Rough Collies.

Thank you for your reply, Natsu chan.Yours sound beautiful! I also had one about 20yrs ago and he was so gentle and wonderful with my young children ,however Jesse could not be trusted around children off leash.Over the years I've had mainly spitz breeds,with no trouble so thought I would have a change and get another collie.He comes from a reputable breeder and unfortunately in NZ.it is difficult to see the pups before buying as 1000 miles away,so have to take on trust,.I knew he was timid when I got him and as he is 14months old I doubt that will change.I am starting a training couse soon,but I have a feeling this may be genetic.Fortunately he does get on very well with Lulu,my 5yr Japanese Spitz.I would be so grateful if you or anybody else has any ideas on how to help the situation.Thanks again.

Mine definitely sounded raspy after debarking,and I only did it as a last resort.The vibration collar was much better,as any surgery ,debarking included ,is not without risk.I eventually lost my JS 2yrs ago after his heart stopped during a surgery to remove a small wart,I am now paranoid about my dogs having surgery,although I know was a very rare thing to happen.I agree lack of exercise will add to the barking.

Jesse is a rough collie,but has not really got the typical collie nature.He is shy and very reactive on lead.He hates people coming to our house and I have him on a short leash till he settles.With our family he is beautiful,affectionate obedient etc.I would love to know if anyone else has a r.collie? :)

Also agree with HW and Westie Mum.I was in a similar position about ten years ago,very stressed after marriage breakup ,had to sell my house and move to a unit.At the time I had a Keeshond and a Japanese Spitz,both barkers.I had a wonderful vet who knew I was at breaking point as neighbors were complaining so she agreed ITC to debark them both.,rather than having them taken from me....unthinkable .The results were great.Problem solved,although bark slowly returned but much quieter.Ten years later I have a rough collie who when younger ran the fences,barking.Used a vibration collar twice and he doesn'tdoit now.I feel for all of you in this intense heat,and you also have all these other problems to deal with!I would go with anything that lightens the stress you are feeling.Good Luck! :)

So pleased to read he is improving!The healing wishes continue....I can so imagine how much you want to cuddle him... :)

Thinking of you and sending hugs to you .

I find pre-judging breeds annoying to say the least! We often hear about breeds that are pre judged as being aggressive but I have the opposite problem.Jesse is a 14month rough collie,neutered,.I have had her since 10 weeks,he came from a very reputable breeder has never in any way been hurt ,mistreated just much loved.He is timid and reactive and always has to be kept on a short leash.He is crated when visitors arrive,until I decide if he'll be o k.He is a beautiful boy and wonderful with us,but we have had one experience of him nipping....As we live on several acres he gets plenty of exercise ,also always goes in the car with us...loves it .I'm off topic a bit now,I really just wanted to say how often we hear "aw there's Lassie,they're so friendly" and go to pat him.I always feel bad saying "actually he's still being trained,and suggest they pat my small spitz ,who loves the attention!Anyone else have this problem...Love to know,Thanks. :)