Hi I'm new (and a question)

[GoldenKiwi]

Well now I am getting some thoughtful responses, thankyou.

 

Yes I am training this dog and by that I mean I spend hours outside each day devoted to him. He gets chasing games (fetch) around the ducks in the pond to direct his instincts into something unobtrusive. He gets many short burst of command work which he loves to work for, he also gets walks and I take him into town to my classes at Uni. At the end of a long day when it gets dark I break the rules and let him come just inside the ranch slider and lay on a big carpet mat which is on the lino. I really dont think it would be good if he were with me per say as the lounge is carpet which is cut pile and cream, its sort of in another room but there is a big gap through to the lounge room the sofa is right down the end closest to his mat.

 

When she offered him to me and I met him, he frantically leaned against me and wrapped his front leg around mine, he leaned his chin on my thigh and looked up at me desperately. He didnt want to let me go. I havent seen him get affection at all there, but thats not saying he doesnt. I felt for him so much and I liked him from the word go. I had to do something. We were looking for a rural rental property and were at the time housesharing. We found one, managed to succeed in getting it and here we are. It meant I could help Jasper.

 

My original proposition to the owner was that I would train him for a month which would help her rehome him. Obviously if he has some commands he will be more desirable to a new home. So that is still what I will be pushing for. He is an only dog and spends most of his time chained at his home. I have only chained him for maybe 3 times and very short periods. I also bought him a kong for when I cant avoid chaining him. Our property backs onto a four lane freeway so I wont take any chances with someone elses dog. Everytime he can, he comes with me- Uni, shops, beach, riding lessons (Im an instructor too) etc. When I am home he is always off the lead and he wanders the five acres sniffing about and he lazes on the drive in the sun. He doesnt ask to be inside but he sometimes asks me to come out! Usually just after I finish playing with him. But I have other commitments. I am in the final three weeks of my degree, I have to think about that too.

 

When he comes in and sits on his mat, he gets up ocasionally and asks to go out. Then I let him back in when he wants. He is on the mat usually just for an hour or two before we go to bed. When he is quiet I go and give him plenty of loves and scratches, sometimes I take him out in the dark and play some rough and tumble with him. I have had this dog almost a week and I love him. He is high maintenence but not as much as I was expecting.

 

I hope this helps explain my position and show that I am not really as heartless as many of you assumed. Im a passionate animal lover, I am into natural everything for animals, barefoot horses, natural environments. That is why I am prepared to study for six years to just be able to start a buisness in behaviour, because I care and I want to make a difference. Its not a career or a lifestyle, the money is not great for the time and money you put into it and the work is usually weekends and evenings. I want to help so many of the suffering animals out there. They are suffering in the first place usually due to the ignorance of the humans that keep them.

[Maralynn]

I hope this helps explain my position and show that I am not really as heartless as many of you assumed. Im a passionate animal lover, I am into natural everything for animals, barefoot horses, natural environments. That is why I am prepared to study for six years to just be able to start a buisness in behaviour, because I care and I want to make a difference. Its not a career or a lifestyle, the money is not great for the time and money you put into it and the work is usually weekends and evenings. I want to help so many of the suffering animals out there. They are suffering in the first place usually due to the ignorance of the humans that keep them.

 

GoldenKiwi, I think that you've found that the members here are also interested in helping animals, and putting their best interests first and foremost. That is why you got some of the responses that you did. I imagine much of the advice given will be very similar to what you'll be telling clients after you start your own business. Yes, sometimes conclusions are jumped to, but those conclusions are derived from the original information given.

 

The background information that you just gave really helps to explain the situation that you are in and how you are working with your circumstances to do the best you can for Jasper. Keep up the good work

 

I would really start actively looking for a new home for him now so he is able to go into a environment that is well suited for a BC, instead of back to his previous place, at the end of your time with him.

[Sue R]

I agree with Maralynn, that the time you have to spare (not much!) would also be put to good use in finding him a suitable home.

 

Thanks for clarifying. It makes it much easier to understand your situation. I hope you find this lovely dog the home he deserves, and have the satisfaction of a job well done by you!

[Shetlander]

I agree with Maralynn, that the time you have to spare (not much!) would also be put to good use in finding him a suitable home.

 

I'll add my vote to this. Please don't give him back to that owner and hope she will find him the right home. I'm not saying she doesn't have some fondness for Jasper, but her choices for the poor guy (until asking you to help) have been terrible. If you find him a home, it will be much easier on the dog since it will be one less adjustment for him. Also, who knows how long it might take his owner to even start looking for a home for him? Meanwhile, he'd go back to a life of isolation and all your good work with him could be undone.

 

Plus it makes me sad to think of him having to spend even another hour back in that half-life he was forced to endure.

[Rebecca, Irena Farm]

Here's rescue information for New Zealand. Not much I'm afraid, but it may be a start just to talk to these people: http://www.bordercollierescue.org/Foriegn/...newzealand.html

 

Good luck!

[PSmitty]

Goldenkiwi, I'm sorry you found some of our responses not thoughtful. If you look past your defensiveness, you'll see a ton of concern for this dog. Some of us "told it like it is", and if that sounded harsh, it's only in Jasper's best interest for us to be blunt. As my friend from Trindad says, truth is truth.

 

Best of luck in getting the owner to agree to rehoming Jasper and thank you for trying to help him.

[GoldenKiwi]

Thankyou everyone. I have been naughty and let him be with us in the evening, it shows in the carpet too. I really dont want to send this dog back. My partner and I both love him as do a lot of my friends that have visited over the weekend. Most of all I want him to be in the best situation for him. I cant go behind the owners back and find a home for him when she said she would like to take him back at the end of it (even against my advice). She is a lovely lady and has done a lot for me. Also NZ rescues wouldnt help us in Western australia much but thanks . Lol, I know my username, I am a kiwi, but a fair way from home right now I mentioned that in my first post. I am studying with the vet school at University at the moment so if I need rescues I will be able to get the info no problem.

 

I will keep working on the situation and see what happens. Will keep you updated.

 

P.S. I just got offered the job of a lifetime for when I finish my degree. I will be working with and eventually instead of a locally renowned behaviourist. He is lovely and I am very excited, now I just have to finish off my degree and I will be set to start my career.

[bexie]

I hope you can have some luck persuading the owner to consider other options, like allowing you to help rehome him, even if it is in connection with a rescue. It sounds like you are doing a lot of work to try to help with his situation.

 

A few ideas for your carpet problems in the evenings: What about putting a runner down on the carpet and a cover on the couch and teaching Jasper that he is allowed on the runner and the covered couch? If you don't want him on the furniture, just a runner and an area rug would do. Teach him where he's allowed to be--and make it with you--and he'll be grateful and happy and the rug will be protected.

 

A crate is also an alternative. Put it right next to you with a runner or something for him to walk on to get there. That way he is with you but can't go anywhere else. You could even escort him on leash to the crate if necessary. Then you can crate him right next to you and give him something nice to chew. It will eliminate the risk of damage and let him be right with you at the same time.

 

Good luck with Jasper and his owner. I hope the dog can soon be rehomed with someone who is better able to meet his needs. The owner is trying to get him help but it doesn't sound like the home situation works for him--not unless she is willing to make huge changes at home. He needs to be with his people and he needs to feel like he has a role--a job of some sort. If he isn't assigned one, he makes his own and it sounds like he considers worrying the horses and the chickens to be his job.

 

ETA--congrats on the job offer. Might this make it possible for you to keep Jasper yourself? If so, could you ask the owner for permission to keep him?