Collie Traits

[rastus_froggy]

I am baby sitting a rough collie for 2 weeks at my place, I have looked after him before but just for a weekend.

He is very skittish and jumps at the slightest noise. I know these may well be environmental factors, but just wondering what collies are regularly like.

My friends got him from some people who didnt have the time for him, he was about 4 or 5 months old then and is about 2 now.

[Natsu chan]

Rastus Collie's are known to be noise sensitive. So most of us try to do a fair bit of desensitising when they are puppies. If there's any tension in the house they do pick up on it and they can be a bit sensitive anyway. I wouldn't worry about it, don't make a fuss, if you're calm and unruffled he should settle. Mind doesn't like me being away either she tolerates it but she's not impressed at all.

[rastus_froggy]

Cool thanks, he really does notice every little sound. The neighbours come home and shut their car doors and he jumps up and runs around. I took him for a walk this morning and there was a little old lady on the other side of the street (at least 15m away), she was scuffing her feet badly and he freaked out and wouldnt cross the rosd! It took me a minute to realise what he was balking at. I have staffies so this sensitive dog thing is new ground for me

[Natsu chan]

Talk about chalk and cheese. You'll be fine, they can be prima donna's but don't let it faze you. Lovely dogs they are but nothing like a staffie!

[Guest Tess32]

Yeah they can be very sensitive like that if they aren't socialised well, and even then... It's hard to get a bomb proof Collie.

Most are not overly skittish though, just can be funny when it comes to some noises and some floor types.

[Scarlet]

I had a rough collie for 16 yrs and initially he was a bit sensitive to traffic and I remember sitting with him on street corners while he was a pup. I would take a fold up chair and a book and sit there for ages.He ended up traveling quite a bit on trains, buses and planes and was quite happy to do so.

He travelled with me over a lot of NZ and most states in Aust and he ended up just about bomb proof.

It was back in the days when no one said anything about dogs on public transport etc so he went most places with me.

He had the opportunity to be very well socialised and I think it showed.

[rastus_froggy]

Yes cars are worrying to him as well, so are birds that fly too low. He really does have a great character though when he isn't being daunted by things, there was a little bug crawling across the floor last night and he was playing with it, he'd gently put his paw on it then let it go and watch it for a bit then paw at it again.

He loves my Froggy (the one in my avatar) they play together really well, chasing and wrestling and stealing toys from each other the running round like lunatics.

Stimpy is way too serious for him and won't take him pawing at her and she tells him off.

I think he just needs lots more socialisation and exposure to lots of things, the family who own him now aren't very experienced with dogs (they haven't owned one in over 12 years)and I think they are having a hard time with him. He is so intelligent though, and takes in anything you teach him, very easy to work with.

[Scarlet]

Yes they are sensitive souls.

Kurrie was fantastic with other dogs and loved cats. He was very social with adults and older children. He had a lot of contact with my niece and loved her but my nephew was a bit much for him - although Kurrie was also getting older by this time and the children both preschoolers.

He could never cope with voices raised in anger, even if not directed at him. I don't think he was ever yelled at in his life. He was so smart and loved to please humans.

Kurrie was put to sleep at 16yrs with advanced bowel cancer and my son was about 12 months. I ended up with 4 rowdy sons so it didn't seem suitable to get another rough collie but I must admit to thinking of getting a mature rescue in my retirement years.