Friend having trouble with Border Collie...

sheltiemom · 10-11-2008, 10:58 AM

Anyone want a project dog? The story is, my friend and his wife, are having issues with their 3 y/o BC and their 9 month old baby, which ended up with the BC biting the baby a couple days ago. From what he told me it was more like a nip, no broken skin but a bruise, and it's on her face. Dog was laying at moms feet, baby crawled up to mom, and dog snapped and made contact. He has told me the BC has been very fearful of the baby since day 1, but usually runs and hides from the baby. Background on the dog is, they've had him from a puppy, bought from a petstore, and by their own admission they don't think they socialized him enough...they live in an apartment and the dog does get walked, but he said they don't do any activities with him. My friend has also told me that the dog is aggressive toward visitors, barking, growling, raised hackles, etc.

So anyway, he told me last night they are probably going to get rid of the dog...my first suggestion was rescue, but his wife says she's called rescues and been told they don't take owner surrenders or biters, and even the no kill shelter told her that a dog that has bitten a child will be put down. My second suggestion is a behaviorist, but I don't think they can afford it. ...anything else I should tell this guy? Any chance this can be improved with something simple like training/exercise, nilif, and a no kids home?

I told him I would ask my "dog friends" about it, I was going to post it on the bc board, but you guys are less hostile, lol.

melgrj7 · 10-12-2008, 10:51 PM

We have Allie because she bit a baby twice (our niece). Similar situation. They didn't want to give her to a shelter or rescue as she would have been put down. They were afraid to rehome her to just anyone, incase she really injured someone. Euthanizing her was a possibility. She had also nipped the baby, didn't break the skin. Allie can now have young children pet her and is fine with it (she is always supervised and on leash around kids and in a control environment). She can walk past other dogs without going beserk. She does obedience commands like a champ. She doesn't react to bikes, skateboarders, roller skaters, joggers and other fast moving things anymore. She will look in interest but doesn't try to kill them.

She is on prozac. She was also very sick (with anaplasmosis, a tick bourne disease) and they didn't know.

So, we treated her, drugged her and did a crap load of training.

sheltiemom · 10-12-2008, 11:13 PM

Oh, I thought this thread was just gonna die, lol. I would love to see this dog be able to be rehomed with a no kids, BC savy person...to be honest, I considered taking the dog on a trial basis for about a nanosecond, but I have kids too, even though they are older, I think I would be in over my head with this. I told them I would keep an ear out for possible homes or advise, but really it's one of those situations where I wish I could help but there isn't much I can do.

JohnnyBandit · 10-12-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheltiemom

Oh, I thought this thread was just gonna die, lol. I would love to see this dog be able to be rehomed with a no kids, BC savy person...to be honest, I considered taking the dog on a trial basis for about a nanosecond, but I have kids too, even though they are older, I think I would be in over my head with this. I told them I would keep an ear out for possible homes or advise, but really it's one of those situations where I wish I could help but there isn't much I can do.

What part of Georgia?

From what you described I don't think the dog is a lost cause. Just needs someone that is savvy to work with it. I am into herding breeds and know quite a few BC folks. I will ask around if you like. No promises.

sheltiemom · 10-12-2008, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyBandit

What part of Georgia?

From what you described I don't think the dog is a lost cause. Just needs someone that is savvy to work with it. I am into herding breeds and know quite a few BC folks. I will ask around if you like. No promises.

They're about an hour north of Atlanta (and so am I). Any help is appreciated.

JohnnyBandit · 10-12-2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheltiemom

They're about an hour north of Atlanta (and so am I). Any help is appreciated.

I will ask around..... I am not bothering to mention it to my wife. I am more of an ACD type of guy. I mentioned taking in an ACD rescue a while back. We decided two dogs, two cats and a 30 year old neurotic parrot are enough critters.

tirluc · 10-13-2008, 04:20 AM

any way to get him here? he's right up my alley of dogs i work w/.....just a thought......and i think w/ all the BC's i own and have worked w/ i should be able to help him.....but not being able to have a hands on, it's not really possible......

sheltiemom · 10-13-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tirluc

any way to get him here? he's right up my alley of dogs i work w/.....just a thought......and i think w/ all the BC's i own and have worked w/ i should be able to help him.....but not being able to have a hands on, it's not really possible......

If you're serious, I'll ask around w/ our friends and see if anyone is heading north for the holidays or anything like that....probably a long shot, but you never know.

Renoman · 10-13-2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheltiemom

If you're serious, I'll ask around w/ our friends and see if anyone is heading north for the holidays or anything like that....probably a long shot, but you never know.

Just a thought.... there are some people/organizations that will transport. A local rescue might have contact information.

Good Luck. I hope it works out for everyone.

tirluc · 10-13-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheltiemom

If you're serious, I'll ask around w/ our friends and see if anyone is heading north for the holidays or anything like that....probably a long shot, but you never know.

serious as a heart attack.....see what we can pull off.....

?...is he neutered?...that's a must....

sheltiemom · 10-13-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tirluc

serious as a heart attack.....see what we can pull off.....

?...is he neutered?...that's a must....

I'll find out...the wife works at a vet office, so I would assume he is neutered and utd on shots...

Falkon · 10-13-2008, 10:08 AM

Hey, I'm over in Huntsville, and I already own one herding dog. I'd be willing to take another.

sheltiemom · 10-13-2008, 12:30 PM

Thanks everyone! I'll pm you both as soon as I talk to my friend again, I'm going to try to call them today.

tirluc · 10-13-2008, 04:37 PM

let us know, def. ....i'm really up for another challenge.....i have rehabed/rehomed 4 of 5 dogs w/ aggression issues, 2 w/ severe child aggression and they are all doing great in their new homes; my grandkids can go up and give them hugs and other kids are able to be around them w/out issue (the better they know them the more they allow contact)....just to give you a little info on what i do/have done