Good Home Needed

[Speedy Claire]

This is a bit of a longshot but I`m wondering if anybody would be interested or know of anyone who might be interested in giving an 18 month old male border collie a good home. His vaccinations are up to date and he is a pedigree and Cath has all his papers.

He belongs to a friend who unfortunately when choosing a breed did not research her subject very well if at all. She is a busy single mum with 2 young children and she works full time. Poor Smudge (terrible name I know!) does not get exercised regularly and is becoming a bit of a handful. He is a lovely dog and my friend doesn`t want him to go but realises that she`s being very unfair to him. A young border collie needs lots of exercise and discipline and sadly in his current household he gets neither.
He`s getting a bit naughty ie running of with the kids slippers an shredding them and tearing around the house barking but it`s just his way of getting attention and burning up some of his energy. I think with the right kind of discipline and regular exercise he`ll be a fantastic pet . To me he looks and seems extremely intelligent and sometimes the way he looks at you it`s almost as if he`s wanting you to guide him and lead him. When he`s been out with myself, Mike and Mikes dog he`s been perfectly well behaved and I think that`s because he has someone who he recognises as the pack leader so to speak and he knows his place.

Here`s some pics of him and here`s hoping that someone might be able to offer the poor lad a good home.
As a pup....


http://uploads.bikechat.net/Speedy Claire/Indy_and_Smudge.jpg




http://uploads.bikechat.net/Speedy Claire/Smudge.jpg


http://uploads.bikechat.net/Speedy Claire/smudge_12-10-09.jpg

[600+]

Let me ask C although I think I'll get a NO :(

[Kuze]

Need fields and what not border collies are awesome but yer right they need exercise and things to occupy the old noggin!

Have you got any local farms etc might be worth asking them if they need another dog.

[the_lone_wolf]

To me he looks and seems extremely intelligent and sometimes the way he looks at you it`s almost as if he`s wanting you to guide him and lead him.

That's the Collie look

If we didn't already have one I'd be tempted, but they're a lot of work

She's doing the right thing for the dog, no matter how much it seems bad now he'll be much happier in a home that can provide what he needs

Good luck re-homing:cool:

[Speedy Claire]

Need fields and what not border collies are awesome but yer right they need exercise and things to occupy the old noggin!

Have you got any local farms etc might be worth asking them if they need another dog.

No farms where we live unfortunately. Mike has asked around in his local area but we`ve had no joy. It`s a shame as I could see him as a working dog but he is probably too old to be trained as a sheep dog now.

[PoRk ChOp]

Claire - try here http://agilitynet.co.uk/Rescue/rescue_contents.html It sounds like he needs to go to a home where he will have a 'job'. Honestly, if you put him on that site, he wont hang around for long and will 100% go to a loving home where he will end up doing agility/flyball etc...

Good luck

[Speedy Claire]

That`s brilliant and many thanks for the link. I`ve forwarded it to Cath as it sounds just the right thing for him x

[PoRk ChOp]

That`s brilliant and many thanks for the link. I`ve forwarded it to Cath as it sounds just the right thing for him x

Let me know what happens

[embee]

Some folks I do work for have a little border collie bitch, about 3yrs old now, and as bright as a button. They are definitely not suitable for urban environments with no space to run.
I was there today, they have about 1.5acres of paddock and she runs round and round the perimeter for hours, mainly chasing crows. Virtually impossible to wear them out. She doesn't do "fetch", throw a ball and she'll run to within 6' of it and lie down and look at you.
I built a fully insulated Canadian spec kennel for her when they got her and she lives in it all year round, absolutely loves it even when it's -5C.
Unfortunately today she found some fresh fox poo which for some reason she feels compelled to roll in, absolutely stinks.
Great little dog though, if I had the space and time and energy and........

[PoRk ChOp]

They are definitely not suitable for urban environments with no space to run.

Not strictly true. Yes they are working dogs and have an unlimited amount of energy but you need to know what stimulates them mentally more than physically.

They can make the most fantastic/loyal pet you could ever wish for but if you dont put any work in they will just end up being a total nightmare by being destructive and possibly nipping depending on the 'working drive' of the dog.

I work both my Springer amd Collie and they will work all day long without a break. I can do 5 minutes 'clicker' training in the house and that will make them sleep for hours as its mentally draining for them.

I really do hope this boy gets the home that he deserves. I would have snapped their arm off for him but I recently got another dog and Mrs Chop would go mental if I came in with a fourth one.

[Kuze]

Some folks I do work for have a little border collie bitch, about 3yrs old now, and as bright as a button. They are definitely not suitable for urban environments with no space to run.
I was there today, they have about 1.5acres of paddock and she runs round and round the perimeter for hours, mainly chasing crows. Virtually impossible to wear them out. She doesn't do "fetch", throw a ball and she'll run to within 6' of it and lie down and look at you.
I built a fully insulated Canadian spec kennel for her when they got her and she lives in it all year round, absolutely loves it even when it's -5C.
Unfortunately today she found some fresh fox poo which for some reason she feels compelled to roll in, absolutely stinks.
Great little dog though, if I had the space and time and energy and........

Lol yea my mums border collie used to walk itself (we lived surrounded by fields before someone shouts @ me) and he used to love rolling in cow or fox ****. Forunately my border collie was on a lead unless he escaped in which case the same thing happened. lol

[missyburd]

Any word on this Claire? Really hope a decent home is found for the hound.

[Speedy Claire]

Not as yet hun, I gave her the website that was recommended and she`s going to try registering him on there. The situation is worse as she has stopped her son walking him because she thinks Smudge is too excitable which means he is now getting even less exercise. Due to the lack of exercise he`s now even more excitable and "nipped" her daughters ankle so she has now shut the dog in the front room and won`t let him near the kids. I tried to explain that the "nipping" is what Pork Chop mentions earlier in the thread and is collie instinct and is solely due to him not being exercised etc. but she`s being a total drama queen and won`t listen.

The RSPCA won`t take him as they`re full to capacity as are all the dog rescue centres in the area.

Will have to hope that she does as I`ve asked and puts him on the website rather than putting him to sleep :( I`m so angry at her for the way she is treating the poor dog. None of this is his fault and if she`d researched her subject in the first place she wouldn`t be in this dilemna and the dog would have gone to another home who would hopefully prove to be a better family

[missyburd]

Ooops, your post is cut off! What an awful situation, fingers crossed :-(

[Speedy Claire]

Ooops, your post is cut off! What an awful situation, fingers crossed :-(


lol, I was so annoyed as I was typing that I pressed Submit Reply by mistake :D

[missyburd]

lol, I was so annoyed as I was typing that I pressed Submit Reply by mistake :D

Lol i just realised my reply may have been misunderstood, it's really not that awful a situation that your post was cut off :rolleyes:

Is it worth having a look into working farms in the area in case they're willing to take on young, fit collies for work?

Edit: it's been a while since I read the thread :oops:

[Speedy Claire]

No farms in this area hun and none of the farms near Mike want him. He is probs a bit too old now for a farmer to train as a sheep dog

[missyburd]

No farms in this area hun and none of the farms near Mike want him. He is probs a bit too old now for a farmer to train as a sheep dog
Maybe not if they wanted a challenge :-) Bit harsh going from a pet to a working dog though I suppose, even thought it's what they're bred for!

[PoRk ChOp]

Claire - The worst thing she can do is to isolate this dog!!! Email me matt at cayman dot co dot uk and I will give you the details of some specialist Collie rescue places.

Can I post this situation on the UK agility forum? I can't see this boy getting pts for something that's not his fault

[Speedy Claire]

Have mailed you Matt and I`m about to ring Cath right now and reinforce how bad this isolation business is for him. Many many thanks

[tanis34]

its a shame but this type of situation is gettin more common , theres been a massive increase in springers where i am living , and only a few that i know are getting anywhere near the exercise and mental stimulation that they need, i have to take my friends springer out just to give him the training and exercise he needs , just because they didnt listen to me when i told them he wasnt suitable for their lifestyle ie out at work from 6 till 4 6 days a week

[gruntygiggles]

Hiya Claire, I feel bad I didn't see this earlier. If you don't have any luck with any of the rescue centres, let me know. I'll PM you my number. I have a neighbour who is 73 but fit as a fiddle and is desperate to take on a dog. He's very close to going around the rescue centres, we live in the country, he is right next to a 6 acre field and 600 yards from open countryside and I've said to him already that when he gets a dog, as he likes collies, I'd be happy to walk it with our four everyday (they get at least 2 hours across 2 walks each day). He lives about 150 yards up our street and he'd have no problem getting him in line and giving him plenty to keep him occupied.

To echo what others have said, you know we have four dogs, 2 being Collies, but I've also had callies all my life and they are really only suitable for experienced handlers as you know. If Cath is finding it hard not to keep him isolated, the best thing I could advise is that you suggest she go and spend £10 on a rubber cage muzzle like we have for Stig. We put ours on Stig around kids as he will nip at ankles if kids run and jump around.....he's a little fearful and is also doing his job....keeping the flock in check. If she keeps Smudge in the room like that, it will soon cause serious psychological issues. Our rescue collie cross Hollie is a perfect example. Her situation was almost identical apart from her being abused as a pup. When I got her, she hadn't been walked for over 3 months other than down the road and back on the lead a few times a week. 3 years on and she is still a crazy mental dog...at least now she doesn't want to kill everything and bark at everything.

Like I said, our friend would gladly take him on and Cath could be happy knowing that you'd have friends just down the road walking him with four other dogs and looking after him if needed.

I'd love to have him ourselves, but I think we're full up with four...lol.

[gruntygiggles]

Another point....don't let Cath beat herself up too much or feel too bad. By rehoming him, she'll be doing the best thing for him. Loads of people get dogs because they like a certain breed when they have no idea of the mental, physical and emotional needs that the breed has.
Unfortunately, collies, being so intelligent and work hungry need a massive amount of both physical and mental stimulation.

I hope it all comes to a happy conclusion as he's a lovely looking boy!

[Speedy Claire]

Many thanks Cheryl and I`ve replied to your pm... I`m sure Cath would be both relieved and really happy for him to go that kind of environment and it would alleviate some of her guilt. I`ll suggest the rubber muzzle when I see her later. I took him for a walk after work last night and I`ll do so again today and I really haven`t had any problems with him other than him tugging at the lead.

I`ll show her your suggestions later on and many thanks again

[PoRk ChOp]

Claire - Just sent you another email

[Speedy Claire]

Got it in work Matt, many thanks.

Good news in so much as Smudge is now allowed out of isolation but only as she insists on putting a muzzle on him! I took him for a good long walk on the beach tonight and most of it was off his lead. He was only naughty the once when a jogger came running up behind me from out of nowhere, Smudge was really barking at the poor guy but in fairness to the dog it was dark and this guy just appeared from nowhere so I think Smudge`s reaction was more of a protective warning. He came on about the fourth attempt of calling him and sat and stayed whilst I put him on the lead.

We`re keeping our fingers crossed that Cheryl`s friend will be interested in giving him a home as it sounds like the ideal environment and right kind of owner to guide Smudge and give him the discipline he might need. I have a feeling though that it won`t actually take a lot of hard work.

[gruntygiggles]

Fingers crossed Claire. I think the only thing that would need to be sorted out is getting Smudge down to Old Sodbury....we're just off the Bath junction of the M4 so it's quite a trek! Like I said in my PM....if I'm honest, I'm quite looking forward to having yet another dog to walk and watch tearing around the fields with our four. As for any issues he may have, they can be ironed out with time and patience. When I got Hollie, she would have torn the flesh off another dog. She was used as bait for fighting dogs as a pup...suspended by her neck with the kind of pole and retractable loop that rescue centres use. She just learned that the best form of defence was attak and so it has taken a lot of work to get her to where she is now. She'll still growl at other dogs if they annoy her, but that's as far as it goes. She's gone from living in a conservatory, being taken to the end of the road and back on a lead two or three times a week, to living with three other dogs and getting 2 walks a day in the country.....no wonder she's changed. It's all down to handling, exercise and stimulation. Ours aren't perfect and Stig still needs work to trust strangers, but i believe all dogs deserve a second chance and Smudge sounds like a lovely boy!

[punyXpress]

Hi Claire - Norfolk numbers has just started a thread wanting a dog. Have you seen it?
This'll bumo it up the page anyway.
Best of luck,

[boot]

Gutted when I saw the pictures... We desperately wanted a Border Collie pup, and took a 9 month old bitch for a week on trial to see how she settled. Sadly, she was a cat chaser and with the size of her, the cats wouldn't settle. Now saving for a small puppy instead.

I hope you find a decent home for him.

[Speedy Claire]

Many thanks for recalling the thread... I was actually going to update the thread tonight with the good news that Smudge has a wonderful new home.

Many thanks to everyone who offered help and most of all to Pork Chop... his support and interest in Smudge`s wellbeing has been incredible and I can`t thank him enough.

So Smudges new home..... He`s been rehomed in Wales with a friend of Mikes son. I took him on Friday and we had a lovely journey into Wales, I swear he could smell something different, he was so alert with his nose out of the window sniffing, his tail wagging away. We got to Mikes and Smudge was instantly best of friends with Red (Mikes retriever), it was fantastic to watch him playing around and so happy. We took him for a good walk before meeting his potential new owner.

First meeting with Sam (his new dad) was a bit uncertain as he growled at him! Sam wasn`t phased though and very soon Smudge was playing catch with a ball and lying on his back so Sam could tickle his tummy. Both Mike and Sam were amazed at what a nice dog Smudge is, I think i`d created a picture of a devil dog and they both thought he was far better behaved and a lot calmer than they`d thought he`d be. He was a different dog at Mikes after some exercise and I think he felt quite at home and wasn`t naughty at all.

Sam was smitten with him... his eyes lit up when he first saw Smudge and he wanted to take him home then and there. He`s a lovely bloke who seems to have a lot of knowledge about dogs and how to handle them, i`ve no doubt he`ll train Smudge to a really high standard and I think Smudge has really landed on his feet (paws!) with his new home. Sam already has a jack russell who`s been lonely and pining for a playmate since Sam`s other dog died. Sam is a very active guy and he`s out walking the dogs for an hour at 6.30am and another long walk at night. His days off are spent out all day hill walking and climbing and he takes the dogs along with him. Both Mike and I had no doubts about his ability to give Smudge a disciplined but loving environment.

So Smudge is now living about 2 miles from Mikes house on the outskirts of a small village. His new home is set on a hillside with fields and forests all around and it seems to be quite isolated. I`ll be keeping in touch with Sam and will hopefully get regular progress reports on how Smudge is settling in. We also hope to meet up with Sam and Smudge for a walk from time to time.

I so love a happy ending :smt038

[missyburd]

Fantastic! Great news, Smudge is a lucky dawg :-)

[Kuze]

Sounds perfect happy ending!

[PoRk ChOp]

I'm over the moon for little Smudger and I hope he's a good lad for his new family :)

[Luckypants]

We have had some good feed back from Smudge's new owner. I won't steal Claire's thunder on what was said.

[Speedy Claire]

Yep Sam n` Smudge are getting along fine. Had a nice message from him today.......


"Hi he is fine, he has been good as gold abit nervous at first and weary of everything but he is coming out now. had a run in with the cat today but he learnt his lesson real fast. jack thinks he is great they have been play fighting all the time and they just run for miles. i took him to the farm to meet the animals and he wasnt intrested at all in the sheep and he comes back to a whistle but not to a call so a bit of work needed there but he is brill. Sam"


I`m so happy for Smudge and the combination of a lovely home and a good owner have gone a long way towards alleviating my friends guilt. I think it`s been a very successful rehoming :D

[Luckypants]

Just so folks know, Jack is a Jack Russell - not some nasty kid picking on the poor dog :D