Finding ‘jobs’ for collie in prep for new baby

[Sep88]

I’ve got a lab/collie cross she’s a darling, but currently gets 3 walks/runs/bike rides a day. My husband has a running addiction, so the two of them have the similar needs😂. However, I’m aware that when the baby arrives we might not be able to give her quite as much exercise as she’s used to, at least initially. Planning on getting a dog walker, but wondered if I could tap into her collie side and give her jobs in the house to keep her stimulated. Currently her job is ‘ball’ and making sure no one gets lost when going to the loo!

I’m teaching her to tidy her toys, but does anyone have any other ideas?? She’s very used to children, and luckily isn’t a herder. Thanks in advance! ☺️

…And any advice how to manage an exercise addicted husband post partum is welcome too 😂

You need to give her mental stimulus.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brain-Games-Dogs-provide-stimulation/dp/1842862774/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3I3U66MF07DWS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7yrPAYTIbkqhk-ufaQwfWKMBieykhY2tfUgfEOgaCa6lnH6U2Kzkjzf0IVSocx-H0AlxRTeyJ9dwV0Hva36F6rsUdRNGSwEhObf0yUhjNAjbIxuN4BI617dGxHY8REzUH6jgcCO3fznJ1SHHmbdMfYbGpRyIFDy709sEWnIqKjT2uIpn4klfHXGVs4oep9M30OEpRtvcfobQrkn4Rxvu9Q.oWLH9enS090GB-wOw_p3SPUyPdHAa8JtRHnpgufnB0I&dib_tag=se&keywords=dog+training+book+brain+games&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1736097064&rdc=1&sprefix=dog+training+book+brain+games%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-3

Thus book has ideas of things you can do with them. So m e ideas are fairly basic, but there’s some good ideas.

Also hide treats for them to find, fill up kongs, etc

I also have a lab/collie cross. She's more lab traits than collie though but has the speed run of a collie. Do you mind if I see a picture as I've never seen anyone with a lab/collie cross lol. X

Oh for goodness sake. It’s a dog. Treat it like one. It doesn’t need a job - it isn’t like having an older child you need to include.

Train her to pack the washing machine , lots of assistance dogs do it . Also fetching the Tv remote , shoes , nappy bag and changing mat .

You have no idea what you're talking about.

Collies are working dogs. They need jobs to do to provide mental stimulation and a huge amount of exercise. If they don't have a job, they will make their own fun. This will very rarely match the owners idea of fun.

She didn't suggest it was like a child. She is very sensibly planning ahead to make her own life easier.

Borrow My Doggy? so locals can have her sometimes?

If yypu buy a working breed and suddenly can't give them the exercise they need, you need to find other ways of keeping them entertained. Collies are starting to be used as assistance dogs, because their tasks can make up for the lack of long walks.

? Of course it needs a job - it's a Collie, they are working dogs.... OP you sound like a great owner. I have collies too and I know how easily they can get bored!

I would ask husband to take a run morning and night. Both husband and dog will benefit.
I walked with the pram during daytime to get a bit of exercise and fresh air. Bring the dog along. Let her work with you during the day too.

It's only a baby. And your dog is wonderful. You can handle it.

My friend is a dog trainer and behaviourists and told me that sniffing activities for dogs are equivalent to walks. Apparently 20 mins of sniffing is the same enrichment as an hour walk. They also find sniffing really tiring as it provides so much mental stimulation.

Could you Google some ideas based on that?

@MinnieBalloon showing they know zero about dog ownership!

If she has the lab love of food, and she eats kibble, buy a Kong Wobbler and feed her all or part of her meal in it

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dog_toys_dog_training/kongs/kong/183622?variantId=183622.0&utm_source=microsoft&utm_medium=microsoft_pmax&utm_campaign=580135230&utm_term=183622.0&utm_content=580135230&utm_id=580135230_580135230&mkt_source=2200967&activeVariant=183622.0

Teach her the names of her toys and get her to bring them to you / put them in her toy box on command.

Teach her to help you load the washing machine

When your baby is a little older ( with an immune system) , teach her to pick up things baby drops .

Keep training exercises - stay - while you leave the room with baby , reward if she waits; lie down, fetch etc.

i have 2 labs, these are all within there range . Collie brain will be sharper and will probably learn the above with ease .

Working dogs absolutely do need jobs or they become destructive.

Ignore the idiot who underestimated the intelligence and needs of a collie.
I second the scent work games, there are kits on Amazon which are pretty good to pair with you tube videos. You get magnetic scent boxes which you could hide in the garden or house and will really make him use his brain.
also scatter feeding is a good use of time. Teaching games like hand touch, get in the box, back leg awareness can all tire out a busy dog and there are loads of videos to help you get started.

My friend's collie blend was taught to take items of clothing etc and put them into a wash basket. You could also try training her to fetch specific things you might want when the baby comes. Could she learn to fetch a water bottle or a muslin?

Could you get a small flock of sheep?

I had Australian Shepherds for years. They are similar in intelligence to collies, and have all loved sniffing activities. Using their nose it mentally stimulating for them and they get tired from it, and it really easy for the owner to set up, and then you just sit and watch them do their thing!

Start off with finding treats, make them harder to find after a while including hiding them above ground level. Gradually you can move to finding things based on your scent. I had a special teaspoon that I rubbed in my hands and hid around the garden. When they get more advances, they can find specific scents hidden among others. You can train your dog to find mushrooms too (if you pick them yourself).

I'm dog sitting a collie and have been teaching him to 'find the treats' I hide them round the room and he has to sniff them out. He also has to 'wait' outside the door while I hide them. He's picking it up but not quite as good at it as a foodie retriever I've had before who got it very quickly and from then on would arrive and immediately sniff all round the house to see if there were any out!

Collies and to some extent labs do need to work - it’s bred into them 😁

How to say you're not a collie owner without saying you're not a collie owner.

I don't have any advice re. the dog.

For your DH, make sure he knows that you each need to have equal amounts of downtime. He gets his run, but then you get your time too. If he can run with the dog before work he can tire the dog out so it's easier for you in the day and also means he can be home in the evening to help with the witching hour. Babies are generally more amenable in the morning than the evening.

Aaaaaaand this is why so many dogs end up in rescues because people who clearly know very little think they know much more. A collie, a very well known working breed, does need a ‘job’ or they can go absolutely crazy.

Do you scatter feed? That’s a good way to occupy the nose and mind for a few minutes.
I’d be mindful of teaching him an ‘off’ for ‘guiding’ you to the toilet etc. you don’t want him becoming too much with the baby when they’re toddling.

And get dog slobber over all the baby stuff? Gross.

Not all dogs slobber , it’s breed specific . A collie/ lab just picking up a cloth will not leave it covered in drool and the baby is living in a house with a dog and ‘dog’ gets everywhere so it makes no difference .

I'd teach the dog as if it were an assistance dog. So yes, teach the dog to put the washing in the washing machine, teach her to pass the remote control, pull your socks off, fetch your slippers, pull the door shut, open the door etc. then the dog can be helpful as well as stay occupied. Obviously this takes a while but you could certainly make a start.