Crazy Dog Behaviour

[billybeau]

My boyfriend's family has got a 3 year old border collie. The dog is obsessed with the TV. Every time the TV is on, she will run around the sofa with a toy in her mouth, her eyes glued to the TV, occasionally "jumping" at it. This goes on for the whole time the TV is on. If the TV isn't on, the dog will "jump" at it. She will cry for it to go on.

She is also obsessed with mobile phones - she stares at them constantly. And also the vacuum cleaner - she chases it.

This is not normal dog behaviour.

The dog hates going for walks. Her life revolves around the TV. The only words she understands are TELE and VACCUM.

What can be done? As I say, she is my boyfriends families dog not mine. The family have accepted her behaviour but it drives me crazy!

Border collies need a lot of mental stimulation. After all, they are bred to be out herding sheep. Without lots of exercise for their brains, they can become neurotic and obsessed with things.

Can you help the dog to get a new interest? Teaching it to play fetch would be a good start. It would love to learn tricks or do agility. That would be much healthier for it than being obsessed with the TV and the vacuum. Border collies are very clever so she should know a lot more words than just those two.

border collies aren't normal dogs. they are extraordinary!

3 is a very young dog - full of the joys of spring! though i wonder why she doesn't like walks - not enough to do on them? does this dog get off-lead time chasing a frisbee/ball on a string - something else?

does the dog respond to food treats?