New here, our first dog ever, an 8 week old border collie cross...I'm nuts right?

Got a new, young, furry love in your life? This is the place for you to ask all of your questions-big or small! Just remember that you are receiving advice from other dog owners and lovers... not professionals. If you have a major problem, always seek the advice of a vet or behaviorist! Most important is to remember to have fun with your new fur baby.

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Ruffie

1287432

Barked: Tue Feb 26, '13 10:38pm PST


	I have to say first off that we're really enjoying Ruffie. She's bright and energetic and keeping me up like I have a newborn baby. I start puppy training classes in a week but in the meantime I can't figure out why she growls at the kids (5&10) but not at me or DH. It's not a deep-throated growl but more playful. Also, anyone want to take a guess at what the papa was? Looking forward to learning lots here! Edited by author Tue Feb 26, '13 10:46pm PST

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Addy, CGC

Let's go for a- walk!

Barked: Wed Feb 27, '13 12:25am PST


	Of course you're nuts! But that's a good thing. My first dog, when I was ten years old, was a border collie. I think there isn't a better dog, if you've got a family young and active enough to use the dog's mental and physical energy. This us NOT a dog to be a couch potato. As for the what sounds like play growling at your kids--the puppy knows that they are also "puppies," andis relating to them that way. You will have to teach your kids the limits of play, and how to have some authritty over the dog, and with the five year old, pretty closrly supervise, because it is NORMAL for puppies playing together to play-bite, too, but that could have bad consequences for everyone, because kids don't have a dog's protective fur coat. But don't panic, either. I was ten and my sister was six months old when my border collie entered our lives, and once she'd learned the basic rules of the house and some impulse control, the bigger concern was protecting the dog from a toddler's lack of judgment than the other way around. Forgive the typoes; I'm on my tablet. A border collie with kids the right age to enjoybit is a joy not to be beat.

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Ruffie

1287432

Barked: Wed Feb 27, '13 5:29am PST


	Thanks for the advice. I will definitely supervise the 5 y.o. when playing with the dog. Ruffie is very energetic but I'm running out of indoor things to do with her. She doesn't get her 2nd vax until Friday and I think I still need to wait a few days before we can do outdoor walks. I'll look on the other forums for playtime ideas.

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Savannah- Blue Belle

A Heart of Gold!

Barked: Wed Feb 27, '13 6:24am PST


	crazy cute!

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Dexter *CGC- silver*

If it moves - Herd it!

Barked: Wed Feb 27, '13 12:08pm PST


	First off, CONGRATULATIONS and welcome to Dogster Ruffie is adorable!!! I'm sure you'll soon learn that all us Border Collie owners are crazy We have to be lol... As for growling at the kids. It will most probably be a play growl. If you want to eliminate it, teach your kids to cross there arms, turn their backs and walk away from the puppy when it growls.... Ignoring a puppy is a great way to eliminate unwanted behaviour because being ignored, to a puppy, is the worst thing ever! It works a treat Also, keep tabs on the play biting and work to get rid of it... When I first rescued Dexter, his old owners had never taught him not to play bite and as he got older, the play bite turned into the infamous 'collie nip'... Not fun to try to train out of him. In the house, keep puppy motivated... Play hide and seek with treats, train basic commands, work on manners and just play lots of games, these tire a puppy out like you would not believe as it is learning, playing and expelling energy all at the same time Good luck and keep us posted as Ruffie grows You're already on the right track to becoming a great Border Collie owner by tacking him to training classes... I can never stress enough to herding breed owners, the importance of socialising and training a herder puppy Edited by author Wed Feb 27, '13 12:09pm PST

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Ruffie

1287432

Barked: Wed Feb 27, '13 1:07pm PST


	Thanks for the welcome! We also think she's adorable. Well, maybe not at the moment as she just pooed on the entrance rug . Fortunately it's going in the dumpster this weekend anyway. I still sometimes miss her cues and I can't startle her into stopping. I'll just have to be more vigilant. I'll try some hide and seek games and we do have a big backyard for her to run around in but she's very fascinated with eating pine cones, dried leaves and grass right now. I guess the next command I have to work on is "leave it". The puppy training classes are offered by the Humane Society here and the cost is included in the adoption fee. I'm really looking forward to socialising her with other pups. It will be good training for me

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Arkane

1278377

Barked: Wed Feb 27, '13 4:14pm PST


	Eating / Chewing on grass/leaves/pinecones isn't that bad unless you treat your yard with chemicals.. We play fetch with pinecones! Instead of waiting for her to show you signs that she needs to go, take her out every hour. If she doesn't go then take her back out again in 30 minutes until she does go. Make sure you give treats, love and praise each time she goes outside! Maybe make / buy her a flirt pole? It is like a cat toy / wand thing.. My dogs go nuts for them. While she is still small you can get some from the dollar store, that way you aren't investing a lot of $$ into it if she doesn't like it.

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Opheila

It ain't over- till the fat- kitty sings

Barked: Wed Feb 27, '13 4:20pm PST


	Like everybody sez, if you and your family are fairly young and energetic you might have the perfect dog actually, congratulations and welcome!!! Border Collies are one of the most beautiful, intelligent breeds out there. But they are high energy so plan on as much exercise as you can fit into the day. An empty fenced tennis court, your backyard if it's a good size-and FENCED, the BC's I've known were escape artists, be careful from the beginning. Most dog parks were made for BC's, they'll zoom and chase tennis balls until your pitching arm falls off And there is the herding, heel nipping...not aggression, just a feature of the breed, I'm sure you can get good advice here if it becomes a problem. Mostly they enjoy herding children and other pets in the house because it's what they were bred to do. Other than that and making sure you collect a good assortment of chew toys you'll do great.

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Tyler

Whippy- The- Whipador

Barked: Wed Feb 27, '13 4:26pm PST


	In addition to the training and games at home, i found short car journeys mentally stimulated my two as youngsters resulting in sleepy pups by the time we got home. Also, carrying her in your arms and visiting places such as your local pet shop or going down town or generally just walking around the neighbourhood are all ways in helping keeping pup mentally stimulated and working on that all important socialization too! She is very cute!

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Mika

blue/brown eyed- girl!

Barked: Thu Feb 28, '13 5:46am PST


	Welcome to dogster and congrats on you new puppy! very adorable!!! The growling at the kids seems like a play thing yes, but do keep an eye on that to make sure nothing stems from it. Of course you should always keep an eye on puppies/dogs and kids anyways for both of their safety. Good luck and as the others said, take puppy out every hour instead of waiting for the sings, as puppy learns where the right place to go to the bathroom is you will learn the signs soon enough.

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