ArchersMomma Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 I was just reading another thread where 1sheepdoggal posted that her boy Hank is very clumsy, falling all over the place and that described Archer to a tea! At 4.5 months he's a puppy in perpetual motion! I've tried to get him to cuddle and have a nap with me and that just does not happen! He never stops! Lately he's been bounding down the stairs...leaps the last four steps! He slides all over our ceramic floors when he comes in from outside and often loses his back legs. I'm worried he's going to injure himself! He's just such a ball of energy! Is he flexible enough as a youngster to handle this, or is it something I should be concerned about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquilis Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 At this age, he's growing faster than his reflexes' abilities to adapt - It'll pass. Just try to 'toddler-proof' the house - remove or mask any poke-y objects at his level, keep an eye for trip hazards, and so on. Also, don't work him out too hard - Pups can over-exert, and injure themselves in the process - He doesn't yet have a solid idea of how much is too much, so you'll need to watch that for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchersMomma Posted October 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 thanks Tranquilis! I had no idea that he could over-exert himself! So how much is too much? How do I make sure that he is getting enough exercise to ensure he's not frustrated but still make sure he doesn't over-exert? The more I read, I am starting to realize how very little I know about Border Collies and I thought I was well educated going into this! I'm sure Archer will be fine..he's such a good boy and so smart. But I'm not looking forward to the "teenage" years! Agility classes start in November (YAY!) so I'm very much looking forward to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquilis Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 It's been a LONG time since I've raised a puppy, so I'd recommend a conversation with your vet or an experienced breeder or trainer - I know a few things, but by no means do I qualify as a trainer. That said, some general thoughts - Don't let him run around until he's too tired to walk straight. Keep an eye peeled - when his enthusiasm starts to wane, that's time to call it off. If his enthusiasm doesn't wane, watch for when he starts getting more clumsy than usual - that'll be the point that he's so tired his body isn't responding quickly. Especially, you want to watch out for too much jumping from heights as a young dog - joint injury is possible. Also - you're training his expectations now. If you teach him to go, go, go, all the time, well... That's how he'll expect to be later. Now is as good a time to start teaching him to 'settle' and relax as any. You'll thank yourself later, when you've got a dog with an 'off switch' as well as an 'on switch.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afrancis Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 Also - you're training his expectations now. If you teach him to go, go, go, all the time, well... That's how he'll expect to be later. Now is as good a time to start teaching him to 'settle' and relax as any. You'll thank yourself later, when you've got a dog with an 'off switch' as well as an 'on switch.' AMEN. Ailsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchersMomma Posted October 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 Tranquilis...thankyou!! I thought that we would have to exercise Archer like crazy just because he is a BC. But I can see the sense in helping him to learn that down-time is a good thing. So far we're pretty pleased with him. He's actually starting to find moments where he'll just sit and be calm! I almost wonder if there's something wrong with him when I see it! lol! So I guess we're on the right track afterall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquilis Posted October 13, 2008 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 No problem - There are a lot more experienced people than myself, but if anything I say helps, well, glad to assist! One of the things that really makes Suka such an outstanding dog is her 'off' switch. She's sitting literally under my feet as I type this, content to just 'be.' At the end of a long day, that's a blessing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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