Help with border collie Max!!!!!!!!

[border collie]

he has adjusted i went in my living room this morning and he tore up my decorative couch pillows, there was sponge and fluff everywhere! he also pooped on the floor, and he started jumping up on my 2 year old son and knawing on his hands arms and legs what do i do, this is my sons dog he loves him to death and i want to do whatever i can to make Max fit in!!

 

[Gempress]

I'm so sorry about Max. Border collies are famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) for being very high-maintenance dogs. They're extremely intelligent, and have unbelieveable amounts of energy. As a result, they need a LOT of exercise. Also, a LOT of training, to keep their minds occupied. If they don't get the physical or menal stimulation they need, the unfortunately can become destructive, or possibly get other behavioral issues.

Give Max more exercise. A walk will not tire out a Border Collie. Find a large fenced area where he can run amok at full speed. Throw a ball for him in the backyard until your arm feels like it's going to fall off. And do this more than once a day. Also, train him. Teach him tricks, do agility, obedience, whatever. Just make sure he tires himself mentally.

Remember, a tired dog is a good dog.

 

[ARottMweilerY]

I agree with the post above, and would like to add.... Since Max is a new dog, he doesn't know the rules of the household yet. He should ALWAYS Be supervised!!!!! If you can't supervise him, crate him! Or put him somewhere where he can't get into trouble and learn bad habbits. When he's out, you can keep him on leash and keep him by you. Then you can teach him what's appropriate and what's not. If he's chewing on something you don't want him to, tell him no and give him something he can chew then reward him for that. If you don't give him a chance to mis behave, then he'll never learn bad habbits. Deffinately give him more exercise, and find stuff to keep him busy inside. A few things that help with this are Interactive treat balls!!! Get like 4 or 5 of them if you can, and put his breakfast or dinner (which ever one it is time for) in them. Devide his food so there is some in each of the balls. This way he won't get bored, he has a selection and will enjoy it. You can also hide a couple in different places (start easy at first), then he can find them. This is like a hunt, then they find it, pounce on it, then work at it to get it out. This helps them mentally and lets them be destructive on something appropriate. You can also hide a few treats around the house if you want. Again up the exercise, deffinately do lots of training (this can easily fit into any routine. If you need examples let me know, I'll gladly give you some!), and ALWAYS ALWAYS Supervise. When you find he's learning the rules you can gradually give him more and more freedom. If you don't have a crate, get one. Let him sleep in it. It will save you lots and lots of money. And it's sooooo not inhumane. If you think Crating is cruel, what do you think your doing when you don't crate him? You let him learn doing bad things are very fun. He'll get in trouble, he might eat something poisenous or eat something that damages his insides and have to get him surgery or worse, die. Or you might decide it's just not worth it and take him back to the shelter. Now that is inhumane and cruel. To not take up the responsibiltiy you got when you got the dog. Get a crate if you don't have one. (Not trying to be mean or anything, I was just giving an example. I'm not saying anything against you). If he whines or anything in the crate, it's not because he doesn't like it, it's just new to him and he doesn't know what is expected of him. You have to teach him that. So Reward him when he's quiet and ignore him when he's loud. He'll soon learn that he's supposed to be quiet in the crate. It will soon become his friend and he'll love his crate time. Only let him out when he's quiet. Hope this helps, good luck

~Amy~

 

[Fuzz Puppy]

I aagree, with training, increased excercise, and learning of the house rules, Max will be a great dog.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

It sounds like he needs more exercise - both physically and mentally. Try walking him for at least fifteen minutes before you go anywhere, and give him things to do while your gone. Rotate toys to keep him interested.

 

[Fuzz Puppy]

Has your 2 year old son tried yelping in a really high pitched voice when Max bites him and getting up and walking away for a few minutes then trying again to play or whatever they were doing before? That might help with the biting. Good luck.
Hannah

 

[Carolyn]

Just wanted to add also, in regards to your cushions. What I do in my house is make many areas what I call "no go zones" for the pets. Anything you don't want chewed or destroyed, you must put up and out of the way.

Keep Max (Good name by the way ) out of bedrooms etc, places where he can get to stuff that he shouldn't.

I don't have that problem fortunately but No go Zones in my house include, laundry, bathroom toilet, kids rooms, and my room through the day, unless one of us is in there. The dogs soon learn the rules quick. Sugar knew them, but Max being only here a year took a couple of weeks. Kitchen is also off limits unless one of us in there. The dogs have their own beds in the loungeroom, and that usually is where one of us, or the kids are anyways.

Max will be fine with a bit of training and some adjustment to house rules

Good luck