The dog musing/vent thread
- Thread starter Laurelin
- Start date
When I was planning on getting a border collie (ended up with a border collie/australian shepherd mix), I got the exact same stuff all the time. "They are too high energy" "You work too long" "You can't have a herding dog in an apartment". Just constant inundation of why it was a bad idea. It made me feel really insecure about my decision.
But the thing is, I had done soooo much research and really felt that I could handle a herding breed. So, I ignored them all, and got Leo anyways, because I felt confident in my decision. And I have never regretted it. He is perfect for me!
Yes, I live in an apartment. Yes, I work 9 hours a day. But Leo is totally cool with it. He sleeps during the day, and we play hard when I come back. Living in an apartment means that I get out to do things with him way more often than if I had a yard. When we aren't playing outside, I play small games with him or do trick training. And honestly, he doesn't even need as much as I give him. When I got him neutered, I couldn't exercise him for 10 days. He was totally fine. Even later in the week he was totally fine to chill with me while watching TV. He never got crazy.
Now, not all individual dogs are like Leo, but that is why you meet the breeder's dogs and stack the deck in your favor. Don't let the naysayers bring you down. You have obviously thought long and hard about this, just go for it.
But the thing is, I had done soooo much research and really felt that I could handle a herding breed. So, I ignored them all, and got Leo anyways, because I felt confident in my decision. And I have never regretted it. He is perfect for me!
Yes, I live in an apartment. Yes, I work 9 hours a day. But Leo is totally cool with it. He sleeps during the day, and we play hard when I come back. Living in an apartment means that I get out to do things with him way more often than if I had a yard. When we aren't playing outside, I play small games with him or do trick training. And honestly, he doesn't even need as much as I give him. When I got him neutered, I couldn't exercise him for 10 days. He was totally fine. Even later in the week he was totally fine to chill with me while watching TV. He never got crazy.
Now, not all individual dogs are like Leo, but that is why you meet the breeder's dogs and stack the deck in your favor. Don't let the naysayers bring you down. You have obviously thought long and hard about this, just go for it.
Yeah I work 9 hours too. I've already got it set up to get the dog a break 2x a day during that. I'm ok with doing daycare a day or two a week too (don't with the paps because they'd hate it). I have 90 acres of fenced fields to run the dog whenever I want to (legally). A 400 acre park with miles of trails less than a mile away. I do agility and nosework and want to do disc. Typically I'm at class or events like 2x a week or more. I have experience owning herders (shelties) before, including a sports bred sheltie. But they apparently don't count. I *thought* that sounded like a good plan and enough for an aussie/bc/koolie/pyrshep/etc.
I think it's more of a case of 'that's not what I would want to dedicate my after work time and money to so you should not have that lifestyle either?' I'm not sure. All I know is with Summer older and Mia now on restricted rest I am getting antsy wanting a dog that can do more stuff.
I think it's more of a case of 'that's not what I would want to dedicate my after work time and money to so you should not have that lifestyle either?' I'm not sure. All I know is with Summer older and Mia now on restricted rest I am getting antsy wanting a dog that can do more stuff.
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This.
It's kind of an insult to herding breeds when people say they are this way, that they will never be happy unless they are moving or "have a job" and all that. Sure they are a little more .... "High octane" then some other breeds but that doesn't mean they can't learn to settle in the house when their owner is gone for the day, as long as they get an outlet they are happy with then they will be fine.
It's kind of an insult to herding breeds when people say they are this way, that they will never be happy unless they are moving or "have a job" and all that. Sure they are a little more .... "High octane" then some other breeds but that doesn't mean they can't learn to settle in the house when their owner is gone for the day, as long as they get an outlet they are happy with then they will be fine.
Bandit was pretty bonkers back in the day but that had a lot to do with lack of proper exercise and mental stimulation. Since I got that down he has been smooth sailings. Such an easy dog and he has been for the last 7 years.
Border collies are dogs not some magical Unicron. You known your stuff. You aren't walking into it blind. You will be a great herding dog owner.
Border collies are dogs not some magical Unicron. You known your stuff. You aren't walking into it blind. You will be a great herding dog owner.
I agree, preparation is good but there is only so much you can do before you just have to go for it 
I also think you will be a great herding dog owner
I only have issue with people who get herding and working or any bred of dog for that matter just beside they are pretty and for no other reason ... That's a bad reason to choose any dog ... Whether it's a "magical" herding dog or not xD
I also think you will be a great herding dog owner I only have issue with people who get herding and working or any bred of dog for that matter just beside they are pretty and for no other reason ... That's a bad reason to choose any dog ... Whether it's a "magical" herding dog or not xD
The city I may be moving to charges 2 1/2 times more for an intact dog registration than for an altered dog registration. I mean, COME ON. That means it's $2 to register Gavroche, but freaking $5 to register Logan! What gives? opcorn:
Also the city definition of service dog says your dog MUST be trained to pull a wheelchair, open doors, and pick up objects. Looks like I need to train Logan to pull a wheelchair for shits and giggles Good thing there's ADA :rofl1:
However, dogs are allowed off leash everywhere as long as they're in a heel as defined by AKC. Which could be pretty nice, actually.
opcorn:Also the city definition of service dog says your dog MUST be trained to pull a wheelchair, open doors, and pick up objects. Looks like I need to train Logan to pull a wheelchair for shits and giggles
Good thing there's ADA :rofl1:However, dogs are allowed off leash everywhere as long as they're in a heel as defined by AKC. Which could be pretty nice, actually.
I think it's a circle of exaggeration here. Herding breed owners want to warn people thinking about getting a herding breed that probably....well shouldn't. Then those people tell other people and the story grows more. So basically herding dogs are made out to be some hyper active monsters that aren't happy unless you're with them 100% of the time.
Which, while it is an insult in a sense, does seem to work to deter those that are more suited to a lower key type of dog. Those that are dead set on herding breeds will (hopefully) do their research and find it's totally workable.
Terrible bed destroying herding dogs:
That's MY spot, wtf dogs??
Which, while it is an insult in a sense, does seem to work to deter those that are more suited to a lower key type of dog. Those that are dead set on herding breeds will (hopefully) do their research and find it's totally workable.
Terrible bed destroying herding dogs:
That's MY spot, wtf dogs??
You do a bajillion times more work on your dogs than I do, and I'm out of the house more than you are. I think you'll be fine. Syl hasn't spontaneously combusted nor eaten my house yet. Although she did resort to drinking...
What is your schedule with her while you're at work? I work M-Th for 9 hours then either am off friday or work shorter hours on friday. Puppyhood will be the most daunting but that would be with any breed, I feel like.
Yes but has she eaten your house yet?
What is your schedule with her while you're at work? I work M-Th for 9 hours then either am off friday or work shorter hours on friday. Puppyhood will be the most daunting but that would be with any breed, I feel like.
What is your schedule with her while you're at work? I work M-Th for 9 hours then either am off friday or work shorter hours on friday. Puppyhood will be the most daunting but that would be with any breed, I feel like.
My schedule is busier now. I'm probably out of the house from 7:00 to 5:30. She is crated, and has only one potty trip at 1pm.
I've had to work on the weekend, not to mention it's been raining hard here. So aside from a training session of... 20 minutes? scattered through the night, she's been pretty much self-entertaining. Kobe and Syl don't really play yet, since Kobe's playstyle doesn't match Syl due to the size difference so he doesn't respond to her attempts to play with him.
1x a week we have a 45 minute puppy class, and 1x a week there's a 45 minute puppy social.
When it's not raining, we go on short, 30 minute walks. On the weekend if it's dry, we spend a couple hours at the park.
My backyard is only 15' x 60', and it's not all usable. I don't have acres and acres of land.
So I mean, we're talking... about 3 hours total interacting with her spread among 5 days, and maybe 4-5 hours on the weekend. As she gets older, she will have more time.. LOTS more time, but that is because *I* want her to be that active, not because she *needs* to be. I want a companion for long, 8+ hour hikes/bike rides, multi-day trips, spending entire days at the lake, and so on.
I think a lot of people set themselves up with their dog's energy requirements. If you don't teach an off switch, or how to relax early on... you'll probably have issues.
We spend time doing short bursts of play for 5 minutes, running around like a maniac playing tug, then dropping everything, sitting down, have her lay down for 5 minutes. Then repeat. And redirecting her to appropriate outlets if she is energetic and doesn't know what to do with herself.
Since dogs are very much set in their routine, I rather doubt that's an issue. All of my dogs have known whether to expect lots of play or not, based on my morning ritual. I wake up at 4am every day regardless of whether I work or not. They know if I'm taking it easy, making breakfast, drinking coffee while surfing the net, etc.. it means they will be home for the day and both Kobe and Syl just relax.
If I wake up at 4am, get a shower immediately and start packing my backpack... hello, chaos. They are both raring to go. Haha.
If I wake up at 4am, get a shower immediately and start packing my backpack... hello, chaos. They are both raring to go. Haha.