Puppy dropped off - Newbie with questions

[Christina_M]

Hello Everyone! I’m so glad I found this board! I’m a newbie to Border Collies. It’s a long story but I’ll try to make it short.

 

Someone dropped this poor little puppy at my house on Feb. 27. They went into my barn and put him in a run-in horse stall (thank goodness, the horses were out for the day and couldn’t get back into the stall). I was sick and home all day in bed, so my husband went out to feed the horses late that evening and found him. Puppy was very hungry, sickly, and timid. So my husband gave him food, water and a blanket for the evening. He looked wormy, had tons of fleas, and was very hungry. The next day, I checked out the puppy and decided to take him to the vets office for a fecal and to get de-wormer. Then I took him to the dog wash for a bath. I gave him a Capstar and later that evening I put Frontline on him. From the missing hair all the way around his neck, I’m guessing someone left him tied outside and didn’t pay him any attention. He only weighed 12.6lbs, when I took him to the first vet trip. He has gained 6lbs in 2 weeks. The pictures that I attached are AFTER puppy got a bath (it may take a couple baths to get the stains out).

 

A week later, I took him to a Shot Clinic (pics in the car) and the vet estimated that he is about 6 mos. Old by looking at this teeth. Since he’s gotten his energy level back up, he sure is a rambunctious and loving little puppy and is trying to chew up things he shouldn’t. I went to PetSmart and bought him some chew toys, a kong, and a ball you roll around to get the food out. Thank goodness for that feed ball! It keeps him entertained for about 1 ½.  He is very smart and is learning to trust people. It’s taking him longer to get used to my husband or anyone who wears a hat. By his reactions to things, I don’t think he’s ever seen the inside of a house. He has learned to potty outside, which is a really big thing for him with it being so cold. Yay! My other dog Samantha is getting used to him, but she’s older and isn’t as hyper and ready to play. Puppy is learning from her though, (some good and some bad) like how to bark when someone knocks on the door. He is such a character! I just love his attitude, energy, smarts, and love for a new life! So I’ve decided to keep puppy as a part of our family. We named him Wilson.

 

Since he’s still a puppy, I’m crating him anytime I’m not going to be able to watch him (work and sleeping). At first, he liked going in his crate, but now he’s beginning to hate it. When I get up in the morning, I let him out, feed him, let him out again, he hangs out while I get ready, then right before I leave I put him in the crate. He whines and howls for about 10-20 mins. He does it again when it’s time for bed and I put him in there. I have been ignoring him so I don’t give him positive reaction to his whining. This morning I gave him a frozen peanut butter filled kong when I crated him. But he still whined and howled with it in his mouth. His crate is in the basement and I gave him 3-4 toys. What else can I do to help him be happy in there?

 

I'm open to any suggestions that anyone has about Wilson. I look forward to all the idea's on this board.

 

Images can be seen here: http://photobucket.com/DynamicFarm

[powerfulgazelle]

Welcome!

 

Bless you for taking this little soul in!

 

Vet, Kong, Buster Cube, crate---sounds like you're doing just fine by Wilson.

[Ms.DaisyDuke]

Good Job!

I would suggest to keep ignoring him while he howls, he should stop. Probably just testing you. OR, he could be lonely in the basement, can you bring the crate up? I sectioned off part of my hallway using my closed bedroom door and a baby gate. She knew I was in there sleeping so she didn't have to worry about anything, but the gate kept her out of trouble....

good luck!

[Lewie'sMom]

Welcome, Christina.

 

Bless you for taking in the this poor baby. I agree with pgazelle and Ms DD;

it sounds like you are definately on the right track with everything you're doing.

 

Ditto what Ms DD said; Wilson might feel too isolated from you in the basement.

Can you bring his crate upstairs so he's closer to you? But, still ignore the fussing.

[desertranger]

So kind of you to care for him. Thank you.

 

BC's like to be held and cuddled. That may be what he needs.

[juliepoudrier]

Christina,

Thanks for taking care of Wilson. As the others have said, if you can move his crate to an area where the humans spend most of their time, he will be a great deal happier. I always crate puppies where they can hear me (and me them). Border collies are generally very people-oriented (they had to be for the work they do), so more than anything Wilson will want to be near you and interact with you. I have found that when crate/quiet time is necessary, they can settle down just fine even if their crate is in a more "active" area of the house. So unless you spend a lot of time in the basement, try moving his crate nearer to the center of human activity.

 

J.

[KrisK]

A great big thank you for making Wilson a part of your family He looks like a really cutie! My dogs have a 'dog room' just off our back entrance. When it's time for them to head to bed, they go to their crates (we actually tell them go to their house) and away they go. They are able to hear all that is going on in the rest of the house, but settle very nicely. Since Wilson appears to have been dumped/abandoned, is it possible that he just needs the reassurance that his 'pack' hasn't abandoned him again?

[Christina_M]

Thanks for all the ideas! If you all met this little puppy you wouldn't be able to give him up either. I have a travel crate that I can bring in and set-up. I think I'll try it upstairs in my bedroom, so he can see me when I'm sleeping and knows where his "pack" is. I can bring his other crate up to the Kitchen. Then he can see everything else going on in the house when I'm not home, but he won't be able to get into trouble.

 

You're right, he does settle down in the busy part of the house. When I'm sitting at my island doing homework, he lays down behind my chair. It's funny because he collects all of his toys and my other dogs toys right behind my chair. LOL

[2 Devils]

I would also start feeding him in his crate if you are not doing so already. I would also work on crating him when you are in the house and nearby. That may help him get used to being crated in general. And yes putting the crate closer to where the people are located should help. You may also want to change your routine. I have one dog that was fine in the crate when we were here but at night he was a nightmare. I finally had to change the routine and literally put him in the crate as I got into bed. I also slept with my hand in the crate door for a couple nights and then was able to move to fingers and then nothing.

 

Thanks for taking Wilson.

[MaryNH]

Hi,

 

I think all the advice you're getting about moving the crate closer to your presence is excellent. Perhaps Wilson was shut away in a basement while with whatever creep treated him that way and basements bring back bad memories?

 

We always kept our pups' crates right next to the bed and it seemed to work very well at night.

 

You are wonderful to keep Wilson and give him a good life. He's adorable!

 

Mary Huber and Travis the Trickless WonderDog in his Mardi Gras parade hat