Finn's thread!! Puppy is GROWING!!!

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My parents have a flock of sheep, but we don't worry about predators with them. It's only the chickens that need protection. I don't think I could do a border collie, based on what you guys are saying about their energy. Are there any dogs that will defend your birds against aerial predators?
Great Pyrenees are a great breed for that! The cons are that they will bark a lot at night when protecting livestock and they are very big.
 
some might, and some might not. I will say that my GSHP watched the sky, unlike breeds that aren't bird dogs. So did our Chessies. They watched the jets flying far overhead too!
Beyond that, it's about training, first to not injure the chickens, and then to look out for threats. most dogs think about land invaders first, and raptors not so much. if the dog is invested in actually protecting the chickens, he may learn to react to raptor attacks too.
Any dog needs to be fenced, and will be the very most expensive flock protector you could possibly have. Not to mention the two year of training time!
And guard dog types aren't good for first dog owners!!!
Mary
 
My parents have a flock of sheep, but we don't worry about predators with them. It's only the chickens that need protection. I don't think I could do a border collie, based on what you guys are saying about their energy. Are there any dogs that will defend your birds against aerial predators?
BCs are for herding, not guarding.
 
ANYWAY, this thread is about Finn, so I'll direct this conversation here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chickentrains-dog-q-a.1448168/


What's the best way to introduce a puppy to adult dogs? Both on leash? Both off? Puppy on leash, adult off? Vice versa?
I don't have any personal experience with this, but I have watched this video by Kikopup and it seems like a good way to go about it. I think it focuses on introducing a new puppy/dog to a household with an existing dog, but some of it should apply to your situation too:
 
Yeah, they are super energetic. Probably will need walks every day. They are great beginner dogs if you can handle the energy. Border collies are the world's smartest dog breed, so they're easy to train and very obedient!
I honestly wouldn’t really say they are beginner dogs at all because if you don’t know what you are doing, they can get into serious trouble. They’re great dogs but not for everybody.

They’re often prone to sound and just general environment sensitivity and notice everything as well all of which can easily turn into reactivity if you’re not careful and they’re very quick dogs which means they will react quick too.

All of that is great on a farm (they need to be able to notice the slightest changes in their environment or know that that sheep is going to go there and react accordingly) but not so much as a pet. They can be very intense dogs too especially with the “eye” and can be prone to OCD and anxiety.

Also, a walk is nothing for a Border Collie. They need mostly mental stimulation tbh due to their smarts as well as a job to do. Whether that’s just trick training and obedience or wearing a backpack around, puzzle games, nose work, or whether that’s an actual sport like disc or agility or flyball they need something. And they need physical exercise too like lots of running. Not just a a walk around the block.

Due to their smarts as well, its very easily to accidentally train bad behavior in even if you just make the mistake once and then very hard to undo. They will train you if you are not careful.

Can be reserved with strangers as well or even aggressive if you’re not careful and same for other animals.

However, all of that said, they are FANTASTIC dogs and if you can handle them, I would recommend them for sure. For me, I know I couldn’t so I haven’t gotten one. However, there are some lines, especially show lines, that are a lot calmer, some even veritable couch potatoes LOL, and those might be better for beginners than, say, a working cow dog or a sport line (mostly crazy and hyper 😂 do not get one), but they’re also not really “Border Collies” IMO. But I do understand the need/market for them now and I’d get one of those if anything but yeah.

They’re great dogs and they’re not super difficult as long as you provide enough exercise and mental stimulation and find a good trainer if you’re not knowledgeable (or even if you are) but I still wouldn’t say they’re beginner dogs.

Especially considering some breeds, like the retrievers, might just be extremely hyper if they’re not trained/exercised but they’re still relatively stable dogs and not really dangerous if they don’t get it whereas a Border Collie can very easily turn unstable and neurotic without it. But often even with enough work and exercise they can be because they just live for the job.

But it is very possible (and necessary for your sanity 😂) to teach them an “off switch” for inside the house but even that depends on the dog. With some it’s pretty natural but with others, it’s very difficult to teach. So I’d try to find one who’s parents are calmer if you want.

But to say they’re beginners is misleading and possibly dangerous UNLESS someone is willing to put in the time and research and train properly.
 
My parents have a flock of sheep, but we don't worry about predators with them. It's only the chickens that need protection. I don't think I could do a border collie, based on what you guys are saying about their energy. Are there any dogs that will defend your birds against aerial predators?
Maybe you could consider an English Shepherd or Scotch Collie (OTSC)? Both are more chill than a BC or Aussie and more all around farm dogs haha
 

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