Comment

Comment by Sarah C. on October 6, 2009 at 12:59am

My brother wants a border collie desperately but I keep trying to tell him... He doesn't walk... he doesn't hike... he doesn't have a yard... Bleeeh.
I notice the no-play people too. Some dog will come play with Didi and they're like, HEY LEAVE HER ALONE!
Uh... Didi has teeth too, and has shown on several occasions that she is competent enough to tell other dogs she's had enough with them.
Generally when they do this I just smile at them and say "She's not helpless."
I'll admit that I'm a hover mom. I keep my dogs with in arms reach most of the time. But I don't screech. Even when a chow mix was pinning my poor precious puppy and attempting to get at his neck to give him a good shake I was just like "Hey. Maybe it's time to come get your dog."
I don't feel that freaking out over little, or big things, has ever helped anyone's dog, ever.

Comment by Jessica on October 5, 2009 at 9:03pm

Avvon, I LOOOOVE those people. The ones who can't recognize dog play are also the ones who tell you that you that you're doing it ALL wrong and that you shouldn't let your dogs play with any other dogs there... you know. because its dangerous.

Comment by Avyon on October 5, 2009 at 8:48pm

The ones that get me as well are the people who come to the dog park and don't let their dogs play.

I can understand if the dog isn't dog friendly (why bring them to the park?) or they get over excited (hello there boy!) but there are some people Ive encountered that whenever they actually start to play they break the dogs up.. or sorta keep their dogs herded away from the others.

Why go to the dog park at all? If you're going to be a hover mom for your dog just play with them in the back yard...

Comment by Kristin, Honey, and Hooch on October 5, 2009 at 8:29pm

It breaks my heart when people buy border collies just because they're attractive dogs without considering the dog's nature. I have a border collie and I've grown up with border collies, and they really do need jobs, exercise, and things to do in order to be happy. They are absolutely wonderful dogs, but I really wish there was a way to screen who can have border collies and who can't--they need the right type of people and the right type of life in order to thrive and live up to their potential. Our border collie gets to herd our poultry, and my mom takes her when she goes horseback riding all the time, as well as getting to go to the dog park regularly and being taken for walks, AND we have an acre for her to run on when we take her outside for bathroom breaks. Even all these things don't manage to tire her out!

Comment by Beth on October 5, 2009 at 8:16pm

If you are planning on getting Border Collies, you should ask yourself some questions:

Do I have sheep?
Will I be competing in agility?
Will I be competing in flyball?

If the answer to all of the above is "No" then you probably should look into another dog. *sigh*

The only time I ever saw The Dog Whisperer try to talk people into giving up their dog was with a couple who had a Chessie that they expected to just hang out in the backyard and behave. He said that he doesn't say this about many breeds, but that is one that needs a job. My father takes his running/hiking/swimming about every other day and without that she is difficult. Same thing for the high-energy herders. I feel bad for the poor dogs.

Comment by Bev Levy on October 5, 2009 at 8:13pm

I have encountered a similar owner of a Jack Russell. I wonder if they are related?? Why get a Jack Russell if you don't care to find out how to train them? LOL