Help! My new rescue dog again!!

[Disney01]

I mentioned a Border Collie that we had adopted from BC rescue a week ago. Well, in addition to the still continuing problems with the cats-That has not improved. We are now seeing that he is a "bolter" (He bolts for the door any time it is open, then runs like he's in a race. We've spent more time chasing and retrieving him this weekend.) And he's also an "escaper". He squeezed through an opening, climbed our waterfall, and then climbed a fence. We finally found him hours later. Since we work, this could be a big problem. The crazy thing is...We were home at the time of his escape...He did it even when we were there!! In fact, when we brought him home, he did it again right in front of us, as if to show us what he could do...Crazy!! Why would a dog keep trying this? He's in the house right now, and I suppose tomorrow when I go to work, I'll crate him, but he's a young active dog and shouldn't spend his days crated. I'm starting to think we should return him to rescue and they can find a more appropriate home. Our yard is small with a pool that he hates...Perhaps he needs more of a yard with a lawn. Can something like this be cured??

 

[Kallison]

My labbie from the pound did the same thing. We got an invisible fence, now he stays in the yard even without his collar. It's wonderful, without it I would have never made it with him, I was constantly chasing him down, he kept digging holes to get out of the fence, jumping through screens etc. Especially if you have kids, they squeeze in and out every time the door is opened.

 

[jipsy]

Border collies are bred to work livestock. 8, 10, 12 hours a day. Outside. They need tons and tons of exercise. How many times a day do you walk him? HE NEEDS TO RUN AND RUN AND RUN.

I found this on a border collie, what's good, what's bad website:

Border Collies
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em

There are energetic Border Collies, and placid Border Collies.
Hard-headed Border Collies, and sweet-natured Border Collies.
Serious Border Collies, and good-natured goofballs.
Introverted Border Collies, and Border Collies who love everyone.

If you acquire a Border Collie puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm."


To learn why, read:
Purebred Dogs vs.
Mixed Breed Dogs

Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...

If you want a dog who...



Is medium-sized and natural-looking
Has a handsome, easy-care coat
Is very athletic and thrives on TONS of exercise and training
Is exceptionally versatile -- when well-trained, can learn and do almost anything
Will play fetch for hours and hours
A Border Collie may be right for you.



If you don't want to deal with...



An intense athlete who can drive you up the wall with obsessive and destructive behaviors if you don't provide lots of exercise and creative outlets for his boundless energy
Compulsive chasing and nipping at things that move: children, joggers, other animals, bikes, cars
"Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
Shyness or suspiciousness toward strangers or when not socialized enough
Shedding
Serious health problems
A Border Collie may not be right for you

It's great that you want to rescue a dog, but if you do not have time or are not willing to exercise this dog ALOT, it's not going to be the right dog for you and he would be better off going back to rescue so they can find a more suitable home.

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/bordercollies.html

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I don't think there is anything wrong with keeping him crated or gated when you can not be watching him. That is how we trained Monty and as his behavior improved, he got more freedom.

A newly brought home dog should probably not be given run of the house and yard right away. Start off by gating him in one room and the slowly expose him to the rest of the house.

Border collies do like to have a large area to run in. But I think if you have a yard, that should be fine, as long as he gets plenty of excercise. You may need to supervise him when he is outside, at least for a while, and work on training him to stop on your command.

Border collies are very smart and they like to be kept busy. They are very good at agility. You may be able to even set up a small makeshift agility course in your yard. When you are out with him, spend time running him through it and reward him. That will keep him interested in staying in the yard.

As for the cats, I'm not sure what the situation is. But BC's are herders and good ones. Could it be that the dog is trying to herd the cats?

I think the situation will get better, it will just take some time.

However, only you know what is best for your situation. If you truly feel like you can not handle him, you should follow your instinct and take him to a no-kill rescue.

But I think it will get better, in time.

 

[Purrrrfecta]

I have a 10 year old Schnauzer in addition to my rescue pets who is bolter. After all of these years. He gets out of the back yard, and he is gone!

It stresses me out to no end. We are getting an electric fence. They have one that is not expensive, and you do not have to dig up your ground to install it.

I will get the info and post it for you. I have to ask my husband about it.

 

[Disney01]

Yes, I know about Border Collies...We had one for 14 years before he died. This one is a very low key Border Collie...Has no herding instincts that I see, very laid back in the house, but once the door is open...Gone!!! I love Border Collies, but thought this one would be a fit because he is so low key...He almost seems depressed though...

In fact, LOL, I told my husband tonight, that he seems like a dog out of a Disney movie...I picture him trying to get find a way back to his original owner, so whenever he has a chance to run or crawl or climb, he tries to escape...They did find him at a shelter, but he is definitely Purebreed Border Collie. He was obviously well cared for...Neutered, can do all the commands, etc. Very good in the house.

I don't know what to do...Keep him, in the hopes that he is trainable and learns to leave the cats alone and not bolt, or tell BC rescue that this isn't working.

 

[DemonLlama]

Don't give up on him yet, if you are willing to spend plenty of time with him after work. We crated our BC pup three years ago and it is her favorite place to be in the house, even now when she no longer needs it. A den is a natural place for a dog anyway. But it is the exercise when you are home that will be the deciding factor. The bolting, chasing, and herding are instinctual, true. But with patient work and firm handling, your new dog can find other outlets for all that energy. We play fetch and frisbee with our two all the time and take them on walks as often as possible. (Our older, now 14, is arthritic and wants to stay put most of the time instead of taking the walks, but he is still always up for a game of fetch, even though he doesn't see the ball as well as he used to and doesn't run so fast any more.)

Our younger was a digger and a herder. She is now a lovable goof of a three year old border collie who only occasionally gets really excited when the kids are running and tries to herd them.

Good Owners, Great Dogs gave us some great training tips on getting her to understand what we wanted.

Luckily, the Rescue should be willing to work with you if you guys don't work out, but knowing how much we are glad we didn't give up on our pup, I'd work with him some more before making that decision.

 

[robinb]

You don't say how old the dog is. If he's still a pup (under 2, IMO) you have a chance of training him to be the kind of dog you want him to be. If not, then you should return him to the rescue and choose another breed. I think Border Collie is a great dog, but the breed is not the one for me. Way too active!

 

[Serena]

Go back to the rescue place. They are trained to help you. They may be able to give you some ideas of what to do.

 

[arminnie]

I've had dogs for the past 25 years. I have always taken them to obedience traing - even private training for months on end.

But every dog I've ever know would bolt through an open door when they were puppies or very young. Some of mine didn't really stop until they got too old to be bothered or got caught outside in the rain and learned that it wasn't fun to be wet and cold and alone.

My twelve year old cocker spaniel will not bolt out the door if I am letting someone in or going out, but just a few months ago the door to the garage was ajar and the garage door was open. He was gone for an hour before I realized that he was gone. It took another two hours to track him down.

 

[Disney01]

The lady at the rescue said it doesn't seem to be a fit...That the urge to escape, combined with the cats, probably won't work for us. We were trying to get the cats in tonight, and put him out in the dog run for 5 minutes while getting the cats inside, and he was over the fence that quick...Very stressful for the cats and me!!! She said she will take him back, but I'm still sad because he is such a nice dog!!! When he is inside!!!! I'm still conflicted on whether or not I am doing the right thing!

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Disney01
She said she will take him back, but I'm still sad because he is such a nice dog!!! When he is inside!!!! I'm still conflicted on whether or not I am doing the right thing!

The rescue wants what is the best for the dog and it sound like they think your home is not the right fit. Bring the dog back, they'll find another home for him and another dog for you .

 

[Crankyshank]

I'm curious - you got the dog from rescue and they didn't screen you and the dog to see if you're a match? If a dog hasn't been tested around cats, I'm just wondering why they would place it with a family that has cats.

Sounds like this dog needs obedience training, but I have to say that I have yet to meet an active dog that doesn't bolt at the sign of an open door. Mine included.

He might be escaping because he's bored. BC are very intelligent and active dogs. when they get bored, they get destructive. Fill a kong up with a treat and some peanut butter and freeze it. Or get one of those treat balls. Trying to get the treat out will occupy him for a good period of time. for safety reasons, and for obedience training reasons, The dog will also need to be crated until he learns the rules of the house.