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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Has my dog got a shit life?

77 replies

Truckingalong · 07/07/2017 20:41

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.

OP posts:
BeepBeepMOVE · 07/07/2017 21:28

What is she reactive to?

Would she run along if you cycled early in the morning when it was quiet? They have these dog/bike link harness things.

BuzzKillington · 07/07/2017 21:29

It does sound a bit shit, yes.

My BIL, a vet, has a border collie and he is impossible to tire, despite hours and hours of exercise every day. I don't think they do well without company and stimulation.

My BIL genuinely believes Border Collies are almost always autistic, btw.

Original poster
Truckingalong · 07/07/2017 21:30

Have had conflicting advice about food too. Been told no wet food as its too high in protein and also told no dry food as its too high in carbs! She's currently on Forthglade and good quality grain free kibble.

OP posts:
Original poster
Truckingalong · 07/07/2017 21:31

It's very hard to take her anywhere in the car too. She goes into a frenzy at any people or bikes passing by.

OP posts:
SureIusedtobetaller · 07/07/2017 21:31

We use a halti harness, he literally can't pull as it attaches to the chest.
Do lots of short bursts of training - Victoria Stillwell is big on the "watch me" command for reactivity.
Could you set some agilty stuff up in the garden?

Floralnomad · 07/07/2017 21:32

Ok , we've gone from 'so when we do go on walks' , to 'shes walked for an hour a day' , I can't imagine why anybody who walks their dog for an hour a day and plays in the garden with it has started this thread .

PippaFawcett · 07/07/2017 21:34

An hour of exercise for a working dog breed is just not enough. I'm sure she is having a much better life with you than before and I can tell you love her but I'm surprised she was rehomed with you if that is all that you can manage with her issues. I suppose they weren't inundated with offers of new owners though. Good luck finding solutions that work.

Bubble2bubble · 07/07/2017 21:34

There is a school of thought which says that highly reactive dogs do better with less exercise.
this article made a lot of sense to me.
So no, I think don't think your dog has a shit life. She may enjoy some brain training, which can also help focus her mind away from the 'scary stuff'. For exercise, probably driving her somewhere quiet for early morning walks is your only possibility.

Wolfiefan · 07/07/2017 21:34

An hour a day isn't a huge amount for a collie really. Not on lead. You must know that Floral.

Original poster
Truckingalong · 07/07/2017 21:34

I'm in a run of the mill out of town housing estate.

I've thought about taking her out on my bike but I think it's probably too dangerous. I think she'd probably just drag me over if we saw anything. Ive tried taking her out at 5am but there's a few folks out even then! Currently try about 11am. No shift changeovers then, so not so many people out cycling to work.

OP posts:
PippaFawcett · 07/07/2017 21:35

Flora, walking an hour a day isn't actually enough for a border collie so I understand why the OP started this thread.

PippaFawcett · 07/07/2017 21:36

Our Border Collie would cover miles and miles more ground than us during our walks because of how boundless her energy was. She would race ahead, double back etc.

PippaFawcett · 07/07/2017 21:36

And she was easily our most obedient dog as she was the most receptive to commands. I miss her! She was the best dog ever!

Floralnomad · 07/07/2017 21:37

I know it's not enough but it's a damn site more than most dogs get , and yes I know that doesn't make it right , it just seems an odd thing to have not put in the OP as I'm sure she would have got different replies .

Branleuse · 07/07/2017 21:39

Sounds like shes happier in her own territory. I dont think it sounds like a shit life. It sounds like its better than she could have ever hoped for after her start in life. I think it would be good if you could hire a field for her every now and again when you can afford it though

Bubble2bubble · 07/07/2017 21:39

For reactivity in the car, a behaviourist advised me to cover the windows ( or use a covered crate). That way you can get where you're going without a complete frenzy every time she sees another car, bike etc

Original poster
Truckingalong · 07/07/2017 21:40

Flora - it sounds contradictory because we've tried different regimes, due to the different advice I've had, so she hasn't consistently had an hour a day.

Bubble - yes, I've been told exactly that, hence the times I've not taken her out on walks but this has never sat easy with me, as I'm a big believer in getting them out walking.

Pippa - she's not an easy dog to rehome no! No children, no other animals of any description, access to plenty of space but probably not a farm due to other animals, no use as a working dog etc.

OP posts:
Rightpivotturn · 07/07/2017 21:42

There's a very useful FB page for Secure Dog Fields - it's well worth a look as there may be a field nearer you that is cheaper. It's also worth checking with any rescues locally if they have any secure areas that can be used/hired - many do. Well worth a chat with a local sighthound rescue - most greyhound rescues with their own kennels will have some sort of secure paddock for off lead zoomies. Also try local riding schools - if you know anyone, you might be able to borrow an indoor school for half an hour or so.

Original poster
Truckingalong · 07/07/2017 21:43

Bubble - crate wouldn't fit in the car unfortunately plus, she was crated in a small wire cage her whole life up til I got her at 2, so she has a pretty big issue with crates, as do I. I could cover the windows though.

OP posts:
FedupNagging · 07/07/2017 21:44

We have this Perfect Fit harness for our collie/lab cross who is a puller and very strong - it's much better than any of other harnesses/halti's we tried.

How about taking your dog to agility training? - they need mental stimulation as well as exercise.

We also do things like give his meal in a treat ball so he has to work for his food or sprinkle it around the garden hiding it under things which require a bit of thought too.

Forgot to mention that our dog is also a rescue, reactive and anxious.

GooodMythicalMorning · 07/07/2017 21:45

Covering the windows sounds helpful.

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 07/07/2017 21:51

Can you get her exercising in the garden more and have some walks with a good trainer?

Border Collies have heaps of energy and are very intelligent. She needs to do more.

I'm pretty sure my girl is a Border Collie cross (maybe with some Jack Russell in there?) and she is a bag of energy (and 6 so not a pup). Each walk with her is approximately two hours - through woodland, fields and lakeside with her also enjoying the water. After that, even in the past few days heat, she's ready to play fetch again as soon as we get home! She's really obsessive with ballsGrin

She spends a lot of time in the back garden with us, usually playing fetch and plays it in the house too. She likes hiding games and I've got some puzzles coming for her. Having fun teaching her tricks etc.

On the occasions I have been unable to walk her we just play even more in the garden. Having constant access to a garden is one thing, but that doesn't count as actual exercise for dogs unless they are actively played with. The thing I hear most often when people try to say their dog has 'plenty of exercise' (usually when discussing how they destroy the house) is that they have constant access to a garden. They need more than access and nipping out for the loo

Original poster
Truckingalong · 07/07/2017 21:52

Bubble - great article, thanks for sharing that.

OP posts:
Bubble2bubble · 07/07/2017 21:57

In theory I walk my reactive dog every day at quiet times but if he has a bad day - usually involving a complete meltdown with a strange dog- I will give him a couple of days at home, as I can see the stress building up.
It may well be that a change of harness could help as it's always possible that she associates something she is wearing with her fear triggers IYSWIM. My dog got very stressed in his harness but was much more responsive to me in just his collar. ( when he was attacked by another dog he was offlead in his harness, though this may of may not be connected)

CornflakeHomunculus · 07/07/2017 22:06

I'd look at increasing her mental stimulation rather than trying to up her exercise if she's finding it stressful. There's loads of interesting stuff you can do at home to get her brain really working. Things like trick training (including heelwork to music style moves), scentwork, body awareness and fitness exercises, etc. are all great for getting them thinking. You could even train her to help you round the house; loading/unloading the washing machine, fetching specific objects, etc. Feeding her in an interactive way (using food dispensing toys or even just chucking her food around outside for her to find) rather than just from a bowl is something you can do that's really simple but very effective.

It is worth having a look at the Dog Walking Fields site to see if there are any cheaper fields you could manage to get her to without too much stress for her.

I can really sympathise, our late DDog1 lived the majority of his life with us without walks because he was just so terrified of other dogs. We tried for several years with the help of behaviourists to help him overcome it but there was never any improvement and he just got ever more stressed and subdued. We stopped walking him altogether and concentrated on giving him the best life we could at home. It was wonderful watching the all the stress just fall away once there was no more pressure on him. I've no doubt whatsoever he was incredibly happy despite the lack of walks and he actually mellowed a lot over the years.

It's not a magic solution for all dogs and I'm not suggesting you give up on the idea of walking her altogether just because it worked for us but I really wouldn't feel bad for not giving your girl loads of exercise, especially in the short term while you try and find a solution.

Have any of the professionals you've used been members of the APBC, APDT, CAPBT or IMDT? If not it's worth finding someone through one of those organisations as they will be reputable and using up to date methods.