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Hey guys. We have two new additions to the household. An 8-9 year old Border Collie, Babe, and a 1 year old male cat, Kit. My Grandmother passed away on Saturday and my family and I took in her two pets.
Babe was rescued by my Grandmother as a puppy. My Grandmother was already unable to move very efficiently so there was no socialization and no training. She knows her name and is easily called off of everything - even chasing our chicken. Because of her lack of socialization she is extremely nervous around other dogs. If a dog she doesn't know tries to sniff her butt but she will snarl and snap. She hates all contact from other dogs. If another dog even thought about coming towards her to sniff her face or engage in play she will try to bite to scare them off. She throws out whale eyes and tongue flicks constantly. However, she loves playing ball and will fetch a ball for hours. And try to kill things that dare to squeak. She's a complete people dog.
But I am happy to report that there have been no fights. We have been taking it really slow. There have been lip curls and growls and that's the extent of it. Babe has gone through a rough time being uprooted at the age of 9 and losing her owner and now living in a new house with another dog so I understand it may go slow. Shasta has gone above and beyond as far as listening to me and I couldn't be more proud of the work I put into her. The cat has not been attacked or chased at all. Babe is also becoming way more comfortable with Shasta. Shasta will bump into her (she is like a bull in a china shop, no grace), they will both lie close to one another and touch while they sleep, they run together in the mornings side by side, they keep out of each other’s ways, and they both listen to me and are easily redirected.
Babe is now running 2-3 miles/day. Eating about 2.5 cups of Acana a day (she was free fed), has lost weight, and is beginning to learn the basics of 'sit', 'down', and 'all done'.
Her canines were cut as a puppy. I asked my Grandmother and she said they “have their canines cut to prevent harm to whatever they’re herding”. I have never heard of this before and have never seen it. Is it just some obscure wive's tale? Anybody ever hear of this? Might this affect the way she eats? She is incredibly dainty when it comes to solid kibble. I have been wetting her kibble cause she is just so gentle trying to eat it regular and she would never finish. At first I thought she was being stubborn but since I wet it she eats it all, no breaks. So I don't know...I included a picture of it.
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The three of them.
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Touching! And no lip curls!
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Our pond, aka "Doggy fountain and cool off tank"
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She needs some brushing, I am planning on working with her on that. But do you think the cut canines affect her ability to eat? Is it not painful? All four canines are cut.
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Pretty girl!
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And one of Kit.
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Babe was rescued by my Grandmother as a puppy. My Grandmother was already unable to move very efficiently so there was no socialization and no training. She knows her name and is easily called off of everything - even chasing our chicken. Because of her lack of socialization she is extremely nervous around other dogs. If a dog she doesn't know tries to sniff her butt but she will snarl and snap. She hates all contact from other dogs. If another dog even thought about coming towards her to sniff her face or engage in play she will try to bite to scare them off. She throws out whale eyes and tongue flicks constantly. However, she loves playing ball and will fetch a ball for hours. And try to kill things that dare to squeak. She's a complete people dog.
But I am happy to report that there have been no fights. We have been taking it really slow. There have been lip curls and growls and that's the extent of it. Babe has gone through a rough time being uprooted at the age of 9 and losing her owner and now living in a new house with another dog so I understand it may go slow. Shasta has gone above and beyond as far as listening to me and I couldn't be more proud of the work I put into her. The cat has not been attacked or chased at all. Babe is also becoming way more comfortable with Shasta. Shasta will bump into her (she is like a bull in a china shop, no grace), they will both lie close to one another and touch while they sleep, they run together in the mornings side by side, they keep out of each other’s ways, and they both listen to me and are easily redirected.
Babe is now running 2-3 miles/day. Eating about 2.5 cups of Acana a day (she was free fed), has lost weight, and is beginning to learn the basics of 'sit', 'down', and 'all done'.
Her canines were cut as a puppy. I asked my Grandmother and she said they “have their canines cut to prevent harm to whatever they’re herding”. I have never heard of this before and have never seen it. Is it just some obscure wive's tale? Anybody ever hear of this? Might this affect the way she eats? She is incredibly dainty when it comes to solid kibble. I have been wetting her kibble cause she is just so gentle trying to eat it regular and she would never finish. At first I thought she was being stubborn but since I wet it she eats it all, no breaks. So I don't know...I included a picture of it.
The three of them.
Touching! And no lip curls!
Our pond, aka "Doggy fountain and cool off tank"
She needs some brushing, I am planning on working with her on that. But do you think the cut canines affect her ability to eat? Is it not painful? All four canines are cut.
Pretty girl!
And one of Kit.
babe and kit and both very pretty. I would think the tooth would be painful but I am not a vet. When my aunts pit bull started getting older his teeth would easily crack. So the vet recommended soft food mixed in with canned food for him. So, if I was you I would ask the vet and make sure it is not causing her pain.
