What do i do with this loco dog?!

[rancher hicks]

If you like the dog, clearly common sense has to rule. You have to give her up. You obviously can't provide the things she needs. Do her and yourself a favor and admit it. For both your sakes. Love ya both.

 

[Rolsjo]

Well, your poor puppy is not loco, she's just a puppy. A puppy of a hyper breed. I know, we got our BC when she was 10 months old. She did many of the same things yours is doing. She chewed on everything, dug holes if left alone at all outside, jumped, climbed trees, you name it. Keep working with her and you will have a faithful companion.

We taught our BC to play soccer with the kids and she is a killer defender! I know it seems that she is nutty at this age, but give her some time. Our BC, who I was convinced was one of the dumbest dogs on the planet, is now, with some patient training, the smartest dog I have ever had. She knows our kids by name. She will politely go into her kennel when she sees me carrying anything in or out of the house. She learned that on her own because I would kennel her when I brought the groceries inside.

It sounds like she has a very submissive personality. Ours is the same way, she used to drop to the ground and lay on her side every time we bent down to pet her. It made her tough to train because she had no confidence. But, again, patience is key.

Also, I would try to fit a LOT more excercise into her schedule. BCs could go on a 3 hour hike every day and still not be worn out. I love the idea of doing agility with her. Get her basic commands down and then go for it!

 

[rebbetzin]

Wow!! Sounds like a handful!! I recently saw a program on PBS dealing with problem dogs. You might try to see if there are any dog trainers in your area that are willing to take on a challenge.

Could be this dog would be great at being a "drug dog" if it had the right type of handling.

We have always had Mastiff type dogs. I never leave them uncrated when we are not home until they are about two years old and I know I can trust them not to get into things. The dog we have now, if he sees me getting dressed to go out of the house, he goes and lies down in his crate. He is soon to be five.

If you survive puppyhood, you just might have a good dog there.

 

[Skyesrocket]

Your heart is in the right place! Working dogs do need work to do...I agree with that.
Dogs like to be with their pack. Since your time to spend with her is limited you might also try crating her in your room at night. This might calm her down some.
The other thing is to check her food. Make sure your not feeding anything with sugar. Like Kibbles and Bits. The soft pieces are made with some sort of sugar and can make a dog hyper. My obedience instructor pointed this out at the beginning of every new class. It seems a lot of behavior problems were actually diet related.
Good Luck with her.

 

[lurky]

Both breeds your dog has in her are very intelligent and trainable dogs. A little effort goes along way. There is a book by Tamar Geller called 'The Loved Dog' and its a great book to read. She helps people to understand their dogs better. I have a very hyper Border collie/mini aussie mix that i am working with and its a very rewarding breed to train. Stop thinking hyper, and start seeing it as eager. She wants you to teach her

 

[BarkerChickens]

Coming from a family who raises Border Collies, they are VERY high energy dogs. Labs are too. So...basically, you're in trouble. BCs are great dogs, but act like puppies until they are around 2 yrs old from our experience. They are easily trainable, so maybe you can teach her games like fetch or something that you can do with her that wears her out. Your idea to use them as therapy dogs is great! It gives her a job (especially if you teach her various commands like "go to so-and-so"...BCs are known for learning names to people and specific items). Give her a job and wear her out!!!

BC are my favorite breed, but they take LOTS of patience! Trust me, it gets better!

 

[Stina]

Border collies need a lot more stimulation than you can provide in 3 hours per day. They are EXTRAORDINARILY intelligent animals with EXTRAORDINARILY high energy levels and they just do not do well without a job to do. As someone else mentioned....if they don't have a job, they will make one...or many...and they are usually not desireable jobs... You need to either find a way to provide her with HOURS of mentally stimulating exercise per day (a regular walk or just running around playing/swimming is not enough) or you should rehome her. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you manage to work out.

 

[patyrdz]

I think she is a puppy and doing crazy puppy things. My Bassett/coon hound mix was a handful and so was my American Bulldog. I never thought I would get through it! My dogs are totally different breeds and I had the same problems from both of them. My AB would eat the house if she was not crated, and the hound would chew anything even when he was right there with us!! I don't think you should give her up!! Give her stuff to do and things to chew on....LOTs of different things. There are many people that work full time jobs and still have BCs!!

Don't give up!

 

[unionwirewoman]

If you happen to have a treadmill at your house , you'll save yourself alot of time on wearing her out . My friends have 2 rescued pitbulls , and put them on it for 30 minutes each . It helps the dog to focus and get all of the pent up energy out . It'll take a few days to get them to catch on , but within a week she should be able to be on it by herself until you take her off . This trick is from Ceasar Millan , and it really does work . Good luck , I agree if you don't have the time....then it might be best to give her to a loving family who can fulfill her needs .

 

[sanctuaryworker]

at the risk of sounding snotty... i will tell you something my mom always told me... if you dont leave things out they can not chew on them...

Also just like everyone else has said... she needs exercise, some breeds have tons and tons of energy. ou have to make her really really tired, and locking her up is not the answer, neither is getting rid of her.

All dogs live in the moment. I rescued a boston who would attack anyone and was so "psycho" that his previous owner couldnt handle him. I have had him for 6 weeks and he meets all the volunteers and tours we give with kisses and is extremely obedient to the point that he is off lead all day and still behaves.
To get him this way I have to work him... everyday. I am lucky and he goes to work with me and has the run of 36 acres, but you can make your dog just as tired.

I also 100 percent agree with Ohio.

I hope you get your issues worked out, I am sure if you are willing to put in the time she will be a great dog for you.