[Jen D]

Any one with some suggestions, today I am going to work with a rescue Collie with the hopes he is not returned to the shelter he came from. The women that adopted him is extremely nice and I think from talking with her on the phone she has no control and the dog is only a year. She is very sweet spoken so I kinda have the idea what is going on now. Another reason they got the dog is because a man with Down Syndrome lives with them and loves the dog so they want him to be able to walk him around the yard.

[skelaki]

You don't say which type collie this is but I've had 3 rough collies and grabbing-holding is very normal collie (and herding breeds) behavior. Collies must have jobs to do or they get bored and make up their own.

Are these people able physically to handle and train a collie? If they are teach them about using NILIF and working daily on basic obedience training. Both of these will (1) teach the collie that the people are Alpha, (2) tire the dog out because they use both mind and body, and (3) build the people's confidence in their abilities to lead and handle the dog. And, even the man with Downs Syndrome can help with these things, at whatever level he's capable of, under supervision.

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by skelaki

You don't say which type collie this is but I've had 3 rough collies and grabbing-holding is very normal collie (and herding breeds) behavior. Collies must have jobs to do or they get bored and make up their own.

Are these people able physically to handle and train a collie? If they are teach them about using NILIF and working daily on basic obedience training. Both of these will (1) teach the collie that the people are Alpha, (2) tire the dog out because they use both mind and body, and (3) build the people's confidence in their abilities to lead and handle the dog. And, even the man with Downs Syndrome can help with these things, at whatever level he's capable of, under supervision.

Thank you for the replie but I just got back and I don't know where Collie came from but the way the acted it defiantly has herding in it. From the look of it I see Basenji and Pit but I did not bring up the pit even though I like them they live in a state that will not insure the house with one of those type dogs. So this just leads me to believe the shelter did not want to mention it to her. She was also not familiar with the Basenji type dog, it was very hard to pick out the mix but it did have pit in it.

[skelaki]

Yes, these days I wouldn't mention pit either, which is sad since most pits are great dogs. You could always say it's a Basenji-collie mix. Sounds like with some training and redirecting of a few bad habits it could turn into a great pet and possibly even a service dog for the man with Downs Syndrome.

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by skelaki

Yes, these days I wouldn't mention pit either, which is sad since most pits are great dogs. You could always say it's a Basenji-collie mix. Sounds like with some training and redirecting of a few bad habits it could turn into a great pet and possibly even a service dog for the man with Downs Syndrome.

I did tell the owner it was a great dog inside an outside was the only time it did its herding thing. I also from what I observed think it was never trained on a leash and it was hot out so I didn't want to push him. I do agree with you he will with the right training be great with the man with DS! They are going to work on the tips I did give and I am going back next week. Thanks