ShellyinTennessee Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Hi all. My husband and I have one little border collie out here on our ranch in TN already and love her. Our problem is a pretty sad one really. Our neighbors Border Collie has been living with a herd of horses down the road from us for about 3 years or so. He was purchased by our neighbors for their little boy but unfortunately these folks were rarely home to spend time with the dog. They also told us the dog, as a puppy, had been raised with horses. Anyway, we came home last weekend to this dog in our barnyard with our horses. Evidently "his" herd of horses had been sold and trailered off. So now he has "adopted" our herd. He's a nice dog, but he is very protective of our horses. Not mean, or aggressive, he just runs out and barks at folks who drive up. But, the worst problem is that our house is close to the road and he chases cars! This isn't our dog, the owner says he'll come and get him and chain him up, but I can't bear the thougth of seeing this dog chained. In the mean-time we already have a border collie and really don't want another.....but I don't have any idea what to do about this horse loving dog who'd rather be with the herd than people! He sleeps in the barn with them (chases our cats off) and follows them out to the pasture and stays with them there, Any thoughts, insight, ideas from anyone would be appreciated. I am at a loss as to what to do. Thanks a bunch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShellyinTennessee Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 I guess I should also add to this that I'm certain the neighbors who actually own the dog and asked us if we'd like to keep him would not mind if we could find him another home. It would need to be someone who lived far enough off a road that he wouldn't be prone to chase cars. Or at least it wouldn't be easy for him to. I'd hate to see him hurt. So many people, like our neighbors, have no idea when they buy a border collie that they need exercise and attention and a "job" to do or they will find one themselves and you may not like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 There are a couple of good border collie rescue groups in TN. And one to avoid, apparently. I don't know which is whcih, but maybe someone who does will see this and post. I think the best thing for the dog would be to get him into a rescue, which can then place him in an appropriate home. Sounds like he could use some socialization/rehab before he goes to a new home. J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Poor fella! Just doing all he knows how to do. I hope you are able to get him into a good rescue! Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OurBoys Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 If you mentioned where in TN you are located I missed it. One of the rescues you can contact is East TN BCR. If they don't have a foster spot for him, they will probably let you list him on their courtesy listing page. I have to be honest with you though, to help him get adopted, he will need to be able to trust and come up to people. In the meantime, maybe you can work with him on that?? The more you can tell people about his individual personality the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShellyinTennessee Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Thanks everyone. I have to say though that I'm not sure how "Buddy" would do in an enclosure at a shelter. He is very friendly and will come when you call him, but he very quickly takes a pet then goes right back to his herd of horses. He's occasionally barked at them and seems to try to get them to move, they try to kick at him and for the most part ignore him. This behavior kind of worries me, but honestly most of the htime he just lays out there with them. My husband did see him yesterday at the top of the hill and the horses were running and he was running and barking. I don't know if he was just excited or what. It was pretty aggravating to the hubby since he was walking up there to go deer hunting...uh, needless to say, he didn't see anything! That's just a side note. Not the real problem. My biggest concern is him chasing cars. Aggressively! He is so protective of these horse. It's very interesting, sad, and unusual too that when we did put him in our dogs large pen the othe rnight he howled like he was dying---our horses came trotting up to the pen, and he immediately quieted down. One of our horses stuck her nose up to him and he actually licked it. And to think he's only been around our horses for a little over a week, he was with "his" other herd for over three years. Has anyone ever heard of a Border Collie like this? Can he be, or become happy with people? The people he belongs to said he was raised as a puppy with horses and he never was happy to stay home as long as that horse herd was close by but I will say they were never AT home for the dog to interract with either. Anyway, I'm sorry to make this story so long. I feel sorry for the dog, and I want him to have a good home, but I don't really think he'll survive long at our place here with his car-chasing habit and us living so close to the road. I'm trying to think of other folks I know that have horses that might take him, but I can't really think of any. He is a real sweet dog and he likes petting, just don't ask him to leave his beloved horse friends for long.........Oh before I forget, we live about 6 miles norht of the Alabama state line in middle Tennessee. Thanks again everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Shelly, Rescues don't leave dogs in pens. The dogs go into foster homes where the people doing the fostering help the dog learn to be a good dog: manners, obedience, etc. No one mentioned taking him to a shelter, but if you can get a breed rescue to take him he will be going into the hands of people who know border collies well and have handled dogs with all sorts of issues and quirks and probably are very well equipped to turn him into a dog who can live with people very happily. J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShellyinTennessee Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Thanks Julie. I'll keep trying to figure out some options for this boy, a rescue not a shelter. A question: If he's been with horses for 5 years, I'm wondering, and we may not know until we do this with him, will he be happy and adjust to staying with people without seeking some other horse herd down a road somewhere? I guess I'm wondering if it's too late to change this dog??! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurae Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 You've certainly got nothing to lose in trying. If nothing changes for him, he'll likely end up dead or maimed from either a kick from a horse or a collision with a vehicle. Thank you for trying to help him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelliePup Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Poor baby If I'm not mistaken, the one bc "rescue" to avoid in TN is no longer in operation. If it's the one I'm thinking of, it was shut down last year and exposed for being a bc puppy mill. You also try posting him on some bc rescue forums: BC Rescue Boards and the BC Rescue Rapidboards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 Yes Shelly dogs can change and be retrained, even at 5 years old. It may take more work than other things, but it is possible and he should be given the chance. As Laura noted, his horse and car habits could do him some seriouss damage. Getting him into a loving home situation with people who will do things with him could be the best thing that ever happened to him. These dogs are very adaptable, and once he finds out the joy of being with people who really care about him, he's likely to be much happier (and safer) than he is now. J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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