Has my dog got a shit life?

[Truckingalong]

Young border collie. Horrendous start to life. Kindest most loyal and adorable dog I've ever known. I'm with her all day, apart from a couple of hours in the morning and evening. She has the run of the house all day (average size semi) and back yard (average size, paved, not grass). She is extremely reactive to anything outside but especially other dogs, so when we do go on walks, it's all a bit difficult and I have to pick my moments and she can never go off lead. She pulls like a train too so is in a halti. Sleeps in the bedroom with me. Is this a shit life for a dog? I worry that she's bored to tears. I kick a football around with her for a while a couple of times a day but it doesn't feel enough to me. The rest of the time, she just snoozes.

You need to be walking her more , get a behaviourist in to deal with her reactivity , not taking her out isn't the answer . Aside from that it sounds lovely.

We had a border collie and she was the most intelligent dog we ever had. She also needed hours of exercise because she was a working dog. Fortunately we could offer that but you need to train her - take her to classes or something - as she will pick up tricks and commands very easily and then you can let her off the lead. Ours would obsessively chase sticks, balls etc so once you have trained her then you should be able to run her energy off a bit.

Can you find a secure field near you, give her a chance to run a bit? I would definitely get a behaviourist in to try and help, even if you can just tackle the pulling for the moment. How about some dog puzzles and filled kongs to keep her busy and stimulated. It is hard with a reactive dog but it is manageable.

Does she wear a muzzle when out? It can give you some peace of mind and take the stress off when walking. Good luck.

She needs more exercise otherwise fine.

I've had several collies before and so I know the breed. She's seen 4 different behaviourists and I've had conflicting advice from them all. 2 however have said to not walk her at the moment, as the outside world is too scary and stimulating for her. Her reactions are extreme - she doesn't just lunge or fixate on things - she goes into a frenzy and foams at the mouth - it's horrendous to witness and to try and cope with too. Going to classes is out of the question.

She has a kong and bones during the day.

Yes, I muzzle, for peace of mind.

I've taken her to a secure field but it's £12 an hour and I can't afford that several times a week.

We have a reactive dog and it is hard. But he enjoys learning new commands and simple tricks, keeps his mind active when he's in the house. We've got to the point where we can manage his reactivity so he's calmish but he only goes off lead if my husband is around and no other dogs nearby- although he's ok off lead mostly.
I spoke to vet nurse about him as was feeling guilty that he doesn't have a perfect doggy life. But he's a rescue, with lots of issues, he'd already been returned to rescue once. She said most dogs like him end up pts and he's a lucky chap.
Looking at him lolling on the bed now I think he's doing ok!

You've just described my dog's life. Literally. I worry about exactly the same thing.

Mine's a lurcher and a rescue dog, so I've found recall training very very hard. She is also extremely dog & cat reactive. Have tried several behaviourists and training courses, and will try again when time and money permits.

I do walk her an hour a day, every day, religiously. Sometimes feels like the only thing I'm getting 'right'!

To be honest, I'm not sure that you are able to meet her needs. She needs exercise somehow and probably needs to live on a farm somewhere - I completely accept that is easier said than done. Our border collie hated traffic and found it very scary to be walked along a road, but our set up was such that we could get into open fields without her having to. Could you not drive her somewhere remote near you for long walks where you would be unlikely to see many people?

But he's a rescue, with lots of issues, he'd already been returned to rescue once. She said most dogs like him end up pts and he's a lucky chap.

The trainer at the rescue where I got my girl commented that he'd expected her to be 'in and out of rescue her whole life'.

With me, she has companionship, food, shelter, exercise, and massive amounts of love. So I guess she's doing okay.

She needs more exercise and stimulation. She really does. And you need to find a behaviourist you trust and work on a plan to improve things.

There are several books available for teaching dogs tricks, so while you have her at home with you, try teaching your dog some tricks. You could train her to help you around the house too.
In the meantime, see if there is anyone locally with an older calm dog and see if they will accompany you both on a couple of long walks a week. I do that with people who have anxious dogs as my dog is the most unflappable, laid back rescue - however, she is still the top dog exuding a quiet confidence. She has helped several dogs with building confidence and one in particular was so bad, we thought he was agoraphobic as well as very aggressive. My beautiful girl had him confident within one week of accompanied walks. So ask around OP. I live near Chichester if that helps.

How often do you take her out for walks, OP? I can't really tell from your post.

There is a really good reactive dog group on FB if you are on there?

Brilliant for practical help.

Ah bless her, that does sound extreme. Have you spoken to your vet to rule out any medical reasons? Just a thought but my reactive dog's behaviour did show some improvement after changing her diet, it's not a fix all but could be a start.

To get back to your original question though, no I don't think she has a shit life at all. I'd definitely try and find a secure field or remote area where she can get some goos exercise even if on a long lead.

www.facebook.com/groups/1633448230248202/

I got my pulling dog a lupi harness and he's loads better on it. he absolutely hated the halti (constantly trying to rub it off and pulling faces), but the lupi makes him a pleasure to walk comparitively.

I'm currently taking her out every day for about an hour but it's so hard cos there's nowhere isolated round here (and to be honest, I wouldn't personally feel safe somewhere truly isolated, despite the fact that it's very unlikely that anyone would approach me with this dog by my side!!).

I have taught her some tricks.

We've tried introducing her to 2 different calm non-reactive dogs. It hasn't gone well. She's very unpredictable around them and has attacked from seemingly nowhere. It was done under the watch of experienced trainers and very carefully and gradually and it was still largely unsuccessful.

She is a rescue and had an awful life before me.

Will check out the lupi - she's not a fan of the halti but she's as strong as an ox and I struggle to stay upright without it.

Just looked at lupi - got something similar actually but it doesn't make much difference. I walk her on the harness, a normal lead and the halti, just incase one breaks!!

He's a malamute/bull terrier - absolute stubborn pig of a dog . The lupi has helped. Give it a go. Looks like it won't do a thing but he's been so much easier. Good luck.

I have a border collie. I said I'd never have a border collie as they need to work at sonething. But my border collie was a sheepdog (from a champion line of sheepdogs ) and she hated working, apparently! Dreamed of being a pet dog! She does need about 5 miles a day walking, but she is a very sweet girl!

She saw a vet when I first got her and she's in general good allround health.

It does sound like she needs more exercise being a young collie.

Are you in a city, town or the country?