Concerned

[macey]

We're a little concerned about Toby, our Border Collie, and was just after some opinions, more to put my mind at rest!

Except for the first night, and then the incident of him escaping/being let out - we've noticed that Toby is an extremely quiet dog.

Apart from him being excited when we go out the back, he comes inside, when he's with us out the front (on a lead), and when we go on walks - when he's by himself outside, he pretty much just sleeps, and curls up near the doors.

He's not extremely active by himself, and he's very, very quiet. Our neighbours havent heard a peep out of him (except for when someone goes up near the gates, he barks a bit), my Mum was at my place yesterday and didnt hear anything, and when we're home and he's out the back, we dont hear anything either.

He pretty much just sleeps his days away.

Doesnt dig, except if we give him one of those chewy bones, which he'll chew then go and bury.

Last night was the only time we saw him go a bit "mental" and that was after quite a long walk, he went and "swam" in his clam shell bath, and then went and rolled around in the sand and then went and laid down.

So - have we just gotten extremely lucky and got a good BC, or could there be something wrong with him?

[ShellyBeggs]

My 3yo BC.......is exactly the same!!!

A regular couch potato.

He lives with my ex now and is gaining heaps of weight..........so I guess the key is to make sure they get enough exercise and enough socialisation to play!

Maybe a vet check to make sure there is nothing more serious..........but otherwise count your blessings!

[Cockerlover]

Macey ;you didnt say how old Toby i s ; that would be a help ;I have a niebour who has 2 border collies 1 is so quite you wouldnt know it was there; whilst the other barks @ the drop of a hat!! is toby lathargic or just quite? if you are conserned about him I suggest you get him checked out @ the vets ASAP is he eating & drinking ; does he respond to your calls please advise

[macey]

Sorry.

Toby is 14 months old.

He's eating and drinking fine, although is quite fussy with his food, we're having a bit of difficulty locating something he likes (the food the previous owners told us he liked - he doesnt want to touch).

He responds OK to us - I think the main issue is he's still getting used to us being his owners with regards to that, although I may be wrong.

[Reddii]

:D I thought my boy was the only BC in the world who fell out of the lazy dog tree!!

Seriously though, I have two of the little terrors. My 17 month bitch is a complete psycho and is the definition of the reason so many people end up surrendering their Border Collies - destructive, exciteable, high drive. I just love her to bits and she will do anything for me - except tolerate bad handling at agility - then I get a stern talking to in dog talk!

My boy is from show lines bred for temperament and conformation and he could not be a more different dog. Once he is in drive he will keep up with the girl and is probably even a bit more driven. But if I don't have him 'up' he is on the floor sleeping (except for when he wants to play with his best mates, our other dog or the cats). We have even had to keep him in a small run for six months due to an injury and had no problems with him as a result. Hi nature also makes it much easier for a newby to dog sport as I'm not having to constantly try and calm him down so he can think through what he has to do. He just gets it and gets on with it.

Long story short, just sounds like your boy is well bred and has a fantastic off switch which makes them soooooooo much easier to live with.

ETA - if you are concerned about him I agree, best to get him checked out by your vet.

Edited November 23, 2007 by Reddii

[JulesP]

All my borders have been like that. Very laid back. They will go all day and beyond if asked to but they wait for stuff to happen. Brock is only 2 so he will go off and have zoomies but most of the time if I look outside this is what I see:

Does Toby have a nice shiny coat? Is he happy to go for a run/walk etc? Waggy tail when you get home? It might be good to take him to the vet for a check up as you have only just got him.

Food, they have all been different. Moss wasn't a major guts, Fern is in the middle and Brock is a piggy. Moss in particular didn't like people flapping around him at meal times and would stop eating. So check that you aren't being a new parent and fussing him too much! I find they don't need big meals for their size too. What are you feeding and how much?

[Mizzi]

I thought my boy was the only BC in the world who fell out of the lazy dog tree!!

My 17 month bitch is a complete psycho and is the definition of the reason so many people end up surrendering their Border Collies -

My boy is from show lines bred for temperament and conformation and he could not be a more different dog.

Same story here. My 2 year old rescue girl never stops - she's go go go all the time.

My 8 year old boy, from show lines, has been a sloth since day 1. He needs real motivation before he will even consider exercise. Which is why we have so much trouble keeping his weight down.

Calypso - doing what he does best.

[JulesP]

lol Mizzi, that is funny! My agility instructor was laughing at Brock today because he is so laid back. It is stroll along, pop over a jump, stroll along etc. No spinning, woofing, bouncing that you expect from a border. Great dogs, hey?

[pie]

lol Mizzi, that is funny! My agility instructor was laughing at Brock today because he is so laid back. It is stroll along, pop over a jump, stroll along etc. No spinning, woofing, bouncing that you expect from a border. Great dogs, hey?

There was a BC in my agility class just as you described

Even if he had to walk somewhere the owner would get a look of "do we have to? I can't really be bothered moving"

[Mizzi]

lol Mizzi, that is funny! My agility instructor was laughing at Brock today because he is so laid back. It is stroll along, pop over a jump, stroll along etc. No spinning, woofing, bouncing that you expect from a border. Great dogs, hey?

There was a BC in my agility class just as you described

Even if he had to walk somewhere the owner would get a look of "do we have to? I can't really be bothered moving"

Just goes to show not every dog fits the stereotype image of their breed.

[Lemonlime]

Toby may be bored and has nothing to do, which is probably why he sleeps a lot. When i am inside and my dogs are alone in the yard, they all curl up together and sleep. If I go into the yard, they bring me their tennis balls and liven right up.

P.S One of my Borders is a dopey couch potato, he has no cares in the world, he is so placid that I take him out with me EVERYWHERE, people are always amazed at how well behaved he is, but I never trained him that way.

[chloebear]

Toby sounds like a wonderful BC, the kind that I would be hoping for. Always loved the breed but haven't been game enough to get one because I'm a bit of a couch potatoe.