Advice - dog sitting BC

[Catzeyess]

Hey all, am dog sitting a friends BC at the moment and so I was all prepared for an hour morning walk and another walk before dinner plus a bit of playtime. Totally happy to do this as I love walking and dogs and would love a BC myself.

Anyway this dog is super lazy, he loves the walks and we have fun playing ball but when we get in he sleeps for hours. He is super cute and we have had a few games and cuddles but he just seems to want to nap all day.

Is this normal? Have I overestimated how much exercise and play they need. Thinking of rescuing an older BC now as have had such a good week. (I know all dogs are different but still he has fit into my life so easily and is great fun) am I crazy to want to adopt an older BC now??

Dogs are crepuscular, meaning they tend to be more active in the mornings and evenings.

My BC spends most of the day loafing unless we're walking/playing/training :)

Also, just being in a different environment is quite tiring mentally.

A BC needs mental stimulation almost more than physical. In fact some people make the mistake of over exercising them, which results in a dog who a) just gets fitter and fitter and b) never learns to relax and switch off, partly due to habit and partly due to constant adrenalin/endorphins.

As long as they're kept busy mentally and get ADEQUATE exercise, and aren't left alone for too long (I don't think you mentioned whether you work/for how long) then I can't see a problem:)

I work from home mostly and the days I don't my DH can take him to work.

I guess I did mentally tire him out, we were playing a tracking game he seemed to love where I hid his ball in the long grass and got him to sniff it out. And then I tried it with two different ones and told him to get a specific one. He's so clever he knows the names of his toys 'red ball' and 'blue ball'

I think what your friend has given you too look after is a particularly well trained BC :) They don't come out the box like that (usually). It can take years to get them into such a routine but most will settle into a exercise/stimulation then sleep cycle if you let them. You don't mention how old your friends BC is?
BC's are known for having an extended adolescence.

Just a friendly warning if you are planning to get one - yours might not be so chilled - especially if you are getting a pup!

He's 4, he was really shy with us for the first day and we basically ignored him and let him settle and then he properly came out of his bouncy shell. He is quite nervy and really doesn't like strangers at all and growls at all other people and dogs bless him. But where I live there are miles and miles of deserted fields so he loves that.

Definitely wouldn't get a pup, would prob go for an older rescue, try and give him/her and understanding home.

I'm sort of feeling like I would quite like the challenge of training and getting to know my own BC they are a fun breed from what I've seen

Above all, they are companion dogs imo
I recently sprained my ankle and I have felt really bad I haven't been able to walk my bc as much as I normally do but I honestly don't think she cares! She's snoring her head off on the sun patch on the rug atm. But she just likes company. I can't do anything on my own as as soon as I move she's up and following me.
I agree 're adolescence, mine is 2 and still quite hard work at training compared to others the same age. From my past experience, they tend to calm down at about 6!

If you have the time, I would go for it. It is hard work, but it's worth it :) be warned though, they get into your heart. Mine have always even come on holiday with us :o days out on the steam railways......you name it!

This one has been here a week and I love him already. I've dog sat other breeds before but there is something about him which is different. Very keen to please, feel like we have a bond already. Seems to pick things up quickly. He follows me everywhere too.

Been looking at some rescues, any tips about what to look out for? I'm thinking maybe a 5/6 year old one?

As its your first border collie I would go for one with no obvious issues (these will usually be listed)
I've had one from the border collie trust and one from wiccaweys. Both were matched well to our circumstances

Thanks for the tip!

Any ideas for good BC mental stimulation games?

I don't know :o my friend has three terrier s and gave me this mind thing. It had taken her terrier s weeks to find out how to do it, it took my collie 5 minutes and then she ignored it. So I wouldn't waste money on anything. Some people train them to help with washing etc
Mine likes to do tricks and likes any kind of training really. She's quite easy going
We do obedience and agility classes too but it depends what's in your area

BC are just the best dogs ever They are intelligent, intuitive, at times manipulative.

Giving them brain work will tire them out and tracking is one of the best for that.

Most BC's are quick to learn good (and bad behaviours). The are very sensitive dogs and without direction will take matters into their own hands so do need positive training to guide them into the correct behaviours.

If you want a dog that you want to spend time with and train daily, then BC's are the dogs to get. If you want a weekend dog when you have time to train and walk and the rest of the time for the dog to chill do not get a BC.

I have 6 BC's and the oldest is 15. She is the love of my life and one of my best friends, she knows what I am thinking before I think it, she looks after my foster children who come to stay. I think an unconditional cuddle with her literally does begin to cure some of the trauma they have experienced.

However at the other end of the scale I have a 1 year old rescue who never stops if he is given the chance and he is having to be taught how to relax and chill. However again he is great with the DC's as they spend hours teaching him tricks and games.

Tracking seems to be a winner with this dog, so easy I just take a few toys on the walk and hide them around the field and get him to track different ones. He is now properly zonked out after his third walk of the day and his dinner, sprawled with his legs in the air.

I've had so much fun having him, could definitely get used to doing this every day.