BC Crazy

Oh thanks for your support Snook. Means a lot. We all know how difficult owning a reactive pooch can be so when you even have a wiff of success with them. It just seems to ea so much more. I'm just so proud of her. She tries so hard to please me. She is such a sweet hearted girl. I just adore her. So to witness her with her new found inner calm. I'm over the moon.

Oh awsome job. She looks so pretty :)

Welcome Farmerprov :) Sorry am not of much help with your fetch issues FP. I too have fetch issues with both my BC's at times. My male like to fetch on his terms mostly & they are when he will retrieve it for about 3 or 4 times, then he wants to keep the ball & me to chase him. Not quite sure that's how it is suppose to be played :laugh: My girl doesn't want to stop playing, period... So interested to see what other Dolers with much more knowledge have to say. Love Willow, what a pretty girl Good on you for rescuing her. She will thank you everyday for doing so :D

Hi folks, just a quick update regarding my girl. Very pleased to report Stella has improved 100% to what she was when she is at home in our backyard . I honestly can't believe the change in her. She is so much calmer. She doesn't get nearly as freaked out as she used to. All that running/whining & barking that she used to do practically all day, she hardly ever does anymore. And when she does get upset I just go to her & soothe her. She settles so much quicker as well. She even has a nanna nap in the afternoons now. That was unheard of previously. She didn't even lay down before, all she would do was run or stand there listening for the next noise. Now I have to peak out the window just to make sure she is OK as she is soooo quiet :laugh: She is also so much happier in herself. And she sleeps the whole night through as well, which is another milestone. So I am just going to keep doing everything I've been doing & keep her meds the same. Hopefully I'm on the right track to a more relaxed girl. I have shed more than my fair share of tears over Stel but all the teary eyes of late have been tears of pride & joy while she blows z's on the lawn :laugh: One very happy mummy here :D

I have a bag of the grain free one for small to medium dogs on the way. Going to give it a go. Hope my 2 like it as they are fussy at times. Just as important I hope they do well on it a I'm really liking all the good ingredients in it.

Wow, great photo persephone Lovely dogs :)

Exactly..Even if you are broke you can afford a cake of soap & a pair of scissors & a brush from the dam $2 shop. That's all I used when I couldn't afford any better. Years ago, I have gone hungry on more than one ocassion so the Border Collie I rescued didn't. There is NO way I could have swallowed a mouthful of food if I thought he was going to go hungry & there wasn't going to be enough to go around. You just do, don't you....

Those before & after shots amaze me. How on earth could anyone let this happen just astounds me. There is NO excuses Good on you for saving this girl. Hopefully she comes around with things taken slowly. What a difference a decent bath & groom can make. Lovely girl, good luck with her

Coop was showing off his new hip Bianca LOL. Great to hear he is doing well :)

Lovely photo's everyone

Yes I don't think it's because your boy is a crossbreed either Ringer. I have a BC with a pedigree a mile long & she is a nervous wreck to put it bluntly. She is on meds daily for extreme noise phobia & very high anxiety. Stella is a cot case at times. I think it can just be the luck of the draw so to speak. It can be genetic but it isn't so in my girls case. I too have had a Vet/Behavourist tell me the exact same thing as you. Life on meds for my girl or PTS I have chose to let her live & make sure she is as comfortable as possible. Whatever that takes. But if ever I feel that life is getting to much for her I'll give Stella her wings without hesitation. It will break my heart as I adore her but her quality of life must be my top priority. This is such a sad thing to happen & I really feel for you I know how hard it is to live with a dog who is very fearful & anxious but my girl isn't aggressive towards me nor does she growl. That would just make it so much more hurtful even though we both know he doesn't mean to be nasty. Gosh I wish he could tell what was wrong it would be so much easier. Can I strongly suggest you give Adaptil spray a go. Spray it on his bedding & collar daily. It has really helped my girl. I have tried the Adaptil collars but it wasn't nearly as effective as the spray. Thunder Shirt also very effective. Stella also has Mutt Muffs which work wonderfully well in thunder storms or if there is noise that is upsetting her. She also has the radio on softly every night otherwise she won't sleep at all. Paces all night barks etc cause she thinks she may have heard something outside. All this plus meds & she is much calmer. Even has a little nanna nap in the afternoons now which was unheard of before as she used to run/cry & bark ALL day as well. It has taken me 3 years to get to this point though so there is no quick fix but maybe some or all of these things may help you & your boy. I truly hope so. Good luck :)

Thanks for the heads up FHRP, I think :laugh:

Geez Kirty. So sorry to read of your loss as well I had no idea this OCD disorder was so prevalent. Just so very sad as they lead such a tormented existence. And it's no better for the devoted owners who love their dogs & have to witness them in such distress usually many times a day, every day Very heartbreaking

I know nothing about Whippets/Italian Greys Kirislin but I recently noticed a very similar rear end action In my male 5 year old BC. His movement seemed very restricted in his rear end. Eg. when he would get up onto his raised bed he would literally bunny hop with his rear legs. His running action was also quite similar to your boys shown in the pic. at times. Sort of like he was saving his rear when he ran. This became more noticeable when he had been exercised & was becoming tired. I had a full spine/hips/legs Xray done. It turned out to be issues with both hips. I'm no Vet but maybe an Xray may help you with some answers. Hope I was of some help.

I am ever so sorry to read this shocking news. My deepest condolences to you & your family Dean. You did your very best with him trying to help him defeat his own inner demonds. RIP Dear Teddy boy. Your forever free from all your fears now boy... finally at peace . Enjoy boy.

Sorry to hear he is a bit uncomfortable at times but lovely to hear Cooper is snoozing lots. Sleep is very healing ;)

What is it with our girls. They do like to roll in anything don't they. My boy can't stand being dirty let alone anything smelly but Stella is such a little smelly, grotty girl. YUK!! The stinkier the better :laugh: Yes fresh is always best HW :laugh:

I have only seen one dog who had OCD issues. Heart breaking to witness. Years ago it was a lovely ACD . He chased everything....Then he'd start biting his feet. I remember him being a very cranky boy. Would of been from sheer frustration/torment I would think. Poor fella Stella did start to lick her legs in the same spot a fair bit when she was a puppy but I just kept redirecting her & she stopped doing it thankfully. She definitely did have those tendencies I think. Your so right VizslaMomma there is a very fine line with these sorts of behavior's. I think some folks don't think it is as serious as it can be at times. Watched an terrible UTube clip of a dog attacking it's own foot. People thought it was funny. Shocking stuff. Sorry to hear of your loss too Teebs 6 months is so very young.

Rebanne, sorry to hear about having to put your girl to sleep because if her OCD's. Very sad indeed. They live a tormented cruel existance

I wouldn't be adding another anything while your boy is so anxious. You could tip your dog over the edge. It isn't fair on the new dog either. If you were thinking of getting a puppy another thing could happen that could end up resembling a train wreck. A lot of pups can mimick the older dog. They tend to learn & follow the older dogs lead. Not saying it will happen but it could. Not worth the risk IMHO....

Im another baby wipes fan. Big time. I swear buy them. For all really messy accidents. Muddy dirty feet. Whatever. They have a multitude of uses. I just buy the Aldi ones find they are the best :) My darling girl did the exact same thing HW. She found some really fresh 'human' poo ar our local beach & rolled in it. Charming...

Thanks TFirst. I may look into that. How much would you use? Just noticed my online chemist stocks it.

So pleased Cooper is home. Bet you feel whole now. Hope he has a speedy recovery. Regarding the colllars. I has seen some that are soft fabric. Dont know if they would be suitable for him. Just a thought.. I know they hate those plastic ones dont they. Give him a cuddle for me Bianca . Sending healing thoughts :)

Hi Outbackdean, Sorry to hear your boy has been diagnosed with CCD/anxiety. I have a 3 year old Border Collie who has also been diagnosed with severe Anxiety & totally understand how stressful it can be although my girl doesn't have CCD. Stella has been on medication for over 2 years now. I am no expert but would have to think from what you have said that something indeed has frightened your boy. Thunder will unravel my girl every time. Certainly sounds like you are doing everything right. He gets training/exercise/attention throughout the day etc etc I have found using the Thundershirt has helped here. I had much more success with DAP spray than the collar. I found the collars ineffective. I spray Stella collar & her bedding everyday. I find distraction works very well before her state of mind actually escalates. Eg. Stella is extremely noise reactive. Pretty much any sound she hears in our back yard will set her off but if I can redirect her at the very onset of her reactivity & ask her to a trick or for a simple task like, on your mat it stops her from reaching a very anxious emotional state. I practice a lot of LAT which also seems to help when we are outside of our home enviroment. So if you can redirect your boy as soon as he attempts to chase his tail, intercept him & redirect his train of thought with the flirt pole or whatever each time he tries any unwanted behavior. It is like retaining his brain if you like. Timing & consistancy are key though. There is no quick fix for issues like this. I have had Trainers/Vets/Behaviorists help & we have made a lot of improvements with Stella. We still have a ways to go yet but am very happy thus far. I think getting some professional help would be invaluable IMHO. Hopefully some fellow Dolers who are trainers or others that have a wealth of knowledge will pop in on this thread & be able to help you. Hope I was of some help to you though. Good luck with your boy :)

I use Plush Puppy Wonder Block. Very effective on removing stains from white coats. Otherwise Biogroom make a very effective dry shampoo called Quick Clean for horses actually but I use it often when we are away to remove anything lovely & smelly that Stella has decided would make a nice perfume :laugh: