miumiu Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 (edited) Hi all, regards from miumiu. I've gotten a female border collie puppy (currently 15 weeks old) a month ago and that's when everyone at home is starting to have a nervous breakdown. She's fast in learning commands yet too wild for us to handle. This is my second dog after 3 years. There's also an adult Shih Tzu which stubbornly gets on the BC's nerves almost all the time - It'd try to walk close by the BC's side and allow the BC to walk/climb/stand over itself. From here, the fighting starts! It has come to a stage where the BC would go for the ST's ear and drag him on the ground, leaving the latter to scream. On the other hand, the ST has also been spotted attempting to have a taste of the BC's ears. This will usually end up with the ST chasing after the BC all over the house. (I wonder how he keeps up). For the past weeks, I've had to have the BC confined in the kitchen behind the baby gate (I let them socialise for short periods of time each day) but often she'd whine/scream/bark at everyone especially the ST. The barking can last from 9pm to 5am and I've even had to take time off work to resolve this issue. To add on, she jumps up the furniture, down and runs frantically around the house (I do live in an apartment in the city). How unhealthy is that for her hind legs development. The above mentioned are the more serious issues at hand. Of course, it all comes with 'bonuses'. *Stressed out* My main concern would be to resolve the fighting between the dogs. Would appreciate if someone could advise me. Thanks alot! =) Edited June 22, 2008 by miumiu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miumiu Posted June 22, 2008 Author Share Posted June 22, 2008 (edited) Double post. Sorry. Edited June 22, 2008 by miumiu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Hi, and welcome. A 4 mth old B/C pup in an apartment ........Hmmmm. Without seeing the dogs' body language, the setup, etc, it is hard. My recommendation would be to contact a behaviourist ASAP. This pup may not be the dog suited to you and your lifestyle- or you may just need to have a better understanding of what makes her tick! Either way, a professional opinion will help. Where are you situated? is your pup receiving lots of exercise/mental stimulation?Being a border, she will need lots of both to keep her settled A tired pup is a GOOD pup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miumiu Posted June 22, 2008 Author Share Posted June 22, 2008 Hi, and welcome.A 4 mth old B/C pup in an apartment ........Hmmmm. Without seeing the dogs' body language, the setup, etc, it is hard. My recommendation would be to contact a behaviourist ASAP. This pup may not be the dog suited to you and your lifestyle- or you may just need to have a better understanding of what makes her tick! Either way, a professional opinion will help. Where are you situated? is your pup receiving lots of exercise/mental stimulation?Being a border, she will need lots of both to keep her settled A tired pup is a GOOD pup! Hi there, I'm from Singapore. =) I do train her for at least 5 x 15mins a day. She seems to enjoy picking up new tricks - only when the other dog is out of the way. To add on, she goes for an hr long walks each night or rather I end up hand-carrying this 10kg pup half the time. Oh she hates to be leashed and the treats don't entice her. This explains why I have not been able to get her to 'heel'. She'll only tire out herself when she's able to run freely offleash but it's not only too dangerous, it's also against our local laws. For that, we'll have to travel to the petfarm where there's a big fenced up field and pool for the dogs and that's like 20km away! Someone I know of has 2 adult and 1 pup border collie in an apartment way smaller than mine yet they seems so happy and satisfied. Why can't this happen to me! Haha.. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pug Hugger Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 What about taking her for three shorter walks, not one long one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Problem with BCs is the more you walk them the MORE they need walking. Lots of tricks/training does a better job of making them more settled. Also feeding bones/dry food in treat toys which require more than your 3-5 seconds to consume can help as well. I know I can leave my 11 week old BC with a turkey wing or something and it takes forever for her to eat and she is slightly less feral after . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbournecritters Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 If food treats don't walk, carry her favorite toy ith you instead to keep her attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 I would second the using of more shorter walks!! That way she won't get worn out and need to be carried! This will break up her day.. and use up energy a few times, not just one. Also- obedience training, teaching tricks... all very good for tiring a puppy-and making for a better behaved one! make sure tho- training sessions are short, and always end on a happy , positive note Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miumiu Posted June 22, 2008 Author Share Posted June 22, 2008 Alright! I'll try 3 short walks! 9am, 3pm and 10pm. My permanent domestic helper will be taking her on one of the walks. Most of the time, she lies flat on the ground the moment I put her down. I'm thinking of using a gentle leader. Hmm. Training time used to be fun but not so when she growls, leaps around and go for my fingers or ankles instead. lol. There're already cane-like marks on my thighs. >,< My parents are almost going insane from all these. :X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbournecritters Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Do you have a time out area? I found that discouraging my working breed from nipping and jumping by quietly picking her up and putting her in the laundry when she was naughty for 5 minutes made a big difference. It doesn't matter where, it just needs to be safe and not somewhere you want her to like (so not her bed) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miumiu Posted June 22, 2008 Author Share Posted June 22, 2008 I just alocated a time-out area. That'll be the storeroom but the ironing board etc are in there. Will ensure that they do all fall off. It's a very cramped up area though, all the more she should dislike it I suppose. Meanwhile, with all that barking in the storeroom, I can only pray that my neighbours do not call the police/AVA down. There are 3 babies just next door. >,< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Have you tried giving her a toy she can tug or chew instead of chewing on you? If she likes to tug or chase a ball, this can later become motivation and rewards for training Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 (edited) You need to read two books by Dr Ian Dunbar. Before you get your puppy can be downloaded for free from his website & After you get your puppy has exerts on the site as well. It's www.dogstardaily.com There is losts of info, videos & radio programs to listen to. Look at Training Textbook & on the side in the sign in section for free download of Dunbar's book, Before You Get Your Puppy. I would be cautious about giving her too much exercise at that young age. My 5 m/o border only gets short walks so far, until 6 mths, no long extended walking until 12 mths. All to do with their growing bones. This forum doesn't seem to want links as it doesn't take you to the site as all the other forums I'm on do. Edited June 24, 2008 by luvsdogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miumiu Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 Kavik: Her favourite is actually new raw hides which is too much protein hence I'm trying to cut down on these. She's even destroyed the Kong toy (pink one for puppies) and plenty of my ST's rugged toys. Going to purchase Kong extreme and some bone shaped tough rubber toys to keep her entertained. Oh, she loves ice cubes! luvsdogs: One of my favourite is 'Puppy Parenting' by Scott Miller. I also pick up techniques from the TV series by Victoria Stillwell. Thanks for the recommendations, will head there later. =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Here are a lot of ifs. As she loves ice cubes, freeze some sardines in a large container especially if its summer. This will keep her entertained until the ice melts & she eats the sardines. This is if she has access to a grass area in your apartment complex or if you have a balcony that will be easily cleaned after she's finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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