My Border Collie

[Skippy]

It might be worth asking your vet if there are any local rescues that can help. The charity that Harry came from often have animals on their website that have been taken into the vets.

[Lisa2009]

Thanks skip, anything is worth a try xxxx

[Alex Norton]

Hi Mrs S,

This is my worst fear with animals and children. I have a 2 year old little girl and two cats. She does torment the older one and every now and again the older cat will swipe. However generally they are all very well behaved. My hubby and I are looking to get a dog soon and have been discussing it for a while. Has anyone got any suggestions as to which dogs are best with kids? I know any animal can turn though. I love boxer dogs any ideas anyone?

[kallis3]

Boxers are nice dogs, but can be a bit loopy and very boisterous. I would recommend a smaller dog, especially with a two year old. A labrador or retriever is usually a good bet as they have excellent temperaments.

King Charles Spaniels are nice as well.

The thing to do is read up on different breeds, or go to a rescue centre - you can pick up lovely dogs from there, we have two.

[Skippy]

We had an Old English Sheepdog when I was growing up - I don't know about others, but he had the nicest temperament you could ask for. A lot of work though, keeping his coat groomed!

[kallis3]

A lot of people tend to clip the Old English dogs now - easier than brushing them!

Retired greyhounds are supposed to make excellent pets and don't need a great deal of exercise.

[kallis3]

Any news yet Mrs S.?

[tori]

What a sad situation for you mrs.s..hope you are okay and that you manage to sort something out..thinking of you[:)]xxx

[debtmountain]

Just wondered how you got on today Mrs S, hope you and your little boy are ok today..xx[:)]

[Robbiecat]

I am sorry to hear about this, Mrs Skint. I know how much you love your pets.

I'm probably going to get really slated for this, (puts on flame proof suit) 90% of animal/human related problems come from not understanding the nuances of animal behaviour. That's not the owners fault, but people forget that the genetic basis of all dog breeds are specific to the job they were bred to do. In a BC's case, it was bred to herd.

It sounds to me that your BC is not so much being aggressive, but has a misplaced sense of where he stands in the pack (family) hierarchy. Most Border Collies do not make good family pets unless they have a job to do - my 2 are kept busy from dawn until dusk doing "stuff", and they are also very clear where they stand in the pack. (I'm the boss).

From what you say, It seems that your dog considers the kids as below him in the pecking order, and therefore he is disciplining them in the same way he would tell a puppy off. Your son clearly did something he disagreed with (got up), but you do was telling him to stay where he was.

PTS is not the answer and you are doing the best thing by trying to find a rescue space. In the meantime, give Wiccaweys Border Collie Rescue a ring (do a google search for their phone number, they're based up in Rolleston) and they can give you some free behaviour advice and suggest a few things to try whilst you are waiting for a rescue space.

Good luck, and I am so sorry you are in this situation, because I know how devestated you must feel.

RC

[kallis3]

Good post Robbiecat, and I quite agree with you.

My lurcher is bred to hunt - but she's not allowed off the lead otherwise half the neighbourhood cats would be mincemeat!

She is a very dominant dog, but that's only with our other dog. Apart from that she is fine and realises that we are the bosses.

She's brilliant with kids as well!

[Lisa2009]

Thanks for that robbiecat xxx

I know its probably our fault. He used to go out for loads of walks but since i was diagnosed with MS and with all the problems with my little boy's Autism, nobody seems to have the time to take him these days.
My little boy is so scared of him now so the only thing to do is rehome him. Hes a gorgeous, handsome dog (maybe a bit dim sometimes)
He would be a great pet for someone with time to walk him and no kids for him to round up (sadly thats not us anymore). Hes even fantastic with cats. We recently got 2 exotic kittens and hes never turned a hair at them.

[kallis3]

Such a shame Mrs S., he does sound a lovely dog. I wish you the best of luck with rehoming him.

[Shining]

Excellent post from Robbiecat, I train my lab to a very high standard and I find it rewarding and I must admit he's a star.

Mrs S my heart goes out to you as much as it hurts to let him go you know it's for the best and he'll be happy when he finds his forever home. So glad he's not being PTS.