I'm thinking about getting this one border collie mix dog(1 year old, girl).....?

Question

It's really sweet and doesn't bark, but the person we talked to when we were about to adopt it said that it was going to rip our furniture and stuff like that, cause border collies need a job to do. The people at the shelter said it was just scared, and thats why it seemed so shy and adorable, but it was like jumping up on the bench and stuff. I read online that, since it's a mix, it's instincts aren't that strong, so it might be different. So, were going back tommorow, and I need to know what it's gonna do once we bring it home, please :)

she just said that's what that type of dog would do, not that dog specifically

Answer 1

I would wait until you have a better idea of the breed. I really would not recommend a Border Collie unless you are very sure you can deal with a working breed. She may only be half BC, but could have just as strong instincts as a full blooded one. If you aren't able to handle a full BC, don't get the mix. This is a very Active+Smart breed, not for everyone for sure!! And lots of dogs won't bark in the shelter, but when you get them home.....!!

add BTW when I did adoptions, the most commonly returned dog breeds (when they had a desernable breed) where BCs, Huskys, GSDs, Jack Russel's, and Rotts. They just are not good dogs for people who are not ready for this kind of high energy working breeds. Too often the learning curve is to high and the adopters got in over their head with training. They could not learn the right way to train or keep their houses safe before real issues arose and they gave up. Adorable and Shy is not a reason to take a dog home, don't take a BC home without serious thought and commitment to learning strong leadership and training.

Answer 2

the shelter may have told you that because that is what the dogs previous owner told them. Just because the dog is a mix does not mean that its instincts are not that strong, it really depends on the individual dog. Some mixes act just like one breed or the other, other mixes have some traits of each breed, not always their good traits either. its true that a border collie need to do something. they are very smart dogs and get bored easily- a bored dog is usually destructive. they arent doing it to anger you, just trying to keep themselves busy. if you are home most of the day, you could crate train the dog and leave it in the crate when you arent there but you really shouldnt lock a dog up in a crate all day while you are at work. training will help with some destruction. bitter apple spray can be sprayed on things you dont want the dog chewing. good luck

Answer 3

This is a HIGH energy dog!!! Unless you are prepared to work with her for at least two hours every day, this is not the dog for you. What is your lifestyle? Do you jog every night? Or do you flop down at home and watch TV? Are you prepared to spend your weekends at the dog park? Are you ready to spend hours playing frisbee? This dog was bred for centuries for herding sheep for hours and hours. You cannot get that instinct out of her. It's obvious she has been given away because she required far more time and exercise and care than the previous owners were able or willing to give. Do the dog a favor - do NOT adopt her unless you are willing to be her forever family and do whatever it takes to provide her with a good home.

You are NOT ready to adopt this dog - you haven't even done your homework and are asking total strangers on the internet! Remember, you won't be going on the internet and spending hours on the computer if you have THIS dog! You will be outside running your legs off and this will have to be EVERY DAY, rain or shine, heat or cold. Border collies are used to working and herding all day. You couldn't possibly keep up with her, and she will just end up being dumped back into another shelter - only this one may not be as kind. Don't do this to the dog. You are not well enough educated. If you truly believe you can handle the responsibility and level of activity required, then DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST! If you are so lazy that you have to ask other people to give you your answers, instead of doing the research yourself, then you are NOT active enough or good enough for this dog!

The dog WILL continue to "jump up on the bench and stuff." And her instincts ARE strong - you will not get that out of her. Stop saying you're going back tomorrow and you "need to know what it's (it's not an 'it,' it's a 'SHE!') gonna (going) to do once we bring 'it' home (there you go again, thinking she's a piece of furniture or something)..." Why do you think total strangers can tell you what she's "going to do" when they haven't even seen her? YOU'VE seen her more than they have! Yet you are not bothering to read up on border collies, but are asking strangers! You haven't a clue! You can't even make the effort to read; you certainly aren't able to work with her. Your lack of knowledge is appalling. And don't think you can lock her up in a crate so you don't have to bother working with her when you get tired - she'll go bonkers. Don't get this dog. You'll be doing her a favor if you don't.

Answer 4

Border collies are very high energy dogs, and usually even in a mix that energy will come through. The dog will need a lot of exercise, long walks, games of fetch, etc.

As for destroying the house, when you get it home, begin working on basic obedience commands, and check into a local kennel, shelter, or college for a basic class. This will work to give the dog something to keep them occupied, but also will teach the people how to train the dog properly and how to avoid home-wrecking situations.

Also, have a crate for the dog for when you are not home or cannot keep an eye on the dog, especially in the beginning. The crate will become their den, their safety zone where they can go to get away from noise, commotions, etc. It is where they can feel safe from the world.

Answer 5

border collie with anything is GONG TO NEED a lot of exercise and proper training.. border collies are very receptive to their owners and you must be consistent and fair with your training. if you want a dog to just lay around the house.. keep looking.. if you want a dog that you can play with, do agiltiy/obedience with this could be the girl for you.... if you CRATE TRAIN your dog,, your dog will NOT chew your house apart.

Answer 6

who knows it can be from a very placid layed back dog to a wild crazy tear your house apart.
Not knowing the training or background as well as the exact breeding doesn't help.

Answer 7

you need to train it. Get her a crate so she can't chew things up. Crates are like dens to dogs. They feel protected in them. Watch her when she isn't in her crate. Do obedience training with her.

go toowww.dogproblems.com for tons of help. I used this site to train my dog and it is wonderful!!! They'll answer all your questions. And it's tons cheaper then going to a trainer and you can do it when you have time.

Answer 8

If it rips furniture, keep it outside most of the time. If you dont want it to stay outside, first show it around your house, Then try to train it quickly. She should not be that bad. Hope this helps. : )