crackhead dog

[borders4]

After hearing story after story about Blaze, my students named her "crackhead" dog. For almost 8 years, I have been dealing with a border collie that acts as though she has obsessive compulsive disorder mixed with ADHD. 6 years ago I got her into flyball. There are not many choices to be made; over four times, catch the ball, and back. Unless you have ADHD and everything goes haywire. We tried Rescue Remedy, a special tincture from an chiropractor, and finally we went to an accupuncturist. After many different combinations of Chinese Herbs she became much more trainable. I found that much like with children you must not only have patience but expect something out of a dog like this instead of assuming she will always be "crackhead" dog. I tell her all the time now that she is getting to be a big girl.

[k9srmyfreedom]

Hi...Your "crackhead" dog (still laughing at that one! ) is actually crying out to you, telling you in the only way that she can, that she's not getting enough stimulation...mentally/physically; or perhaps even both. This is a common problem I see in about 98% of my clients' dogs.

Your dog is a herding dog by nature..a very active an intelligent breed. Their minds and bodies need to be stimulated in directed activities in order to keep them mentally and physically happy. If a dog gets bored, they're going to "invent" all kinds of things to keep themselves occupied; this is the start of many problems that will eventually surface if the dog is not getting enough stimulation. A tired dog is a good dog! Invent new games like a cup and shell game, hide and seek, let her roller blade with you; anything to get her out and about and moving... her energy level needs to be sated each and every day. Best of luck to you!

[misty]

hi nice to met u all my name is shelly and i am new to this myself i have got a dog called misty and she is so lovely

[sarahszoo]

:) hi,loved your story .I have 2 border collies one is very good and calm the other is hard work like yours ,we train him weekly at doggy school but the problem being he has hip dysplasia so we have to be careful at what we do ,he has being doing well in class but when hes bad he really is naughty .we allow him some leeway because he might be take a little longer at sitting etc but he always tries his luck at being disruptive but the trainer knows him to well and wont let him use hip dysplasia as an excuse.

[lovethatdogg]

I love border collies!!! But i have a 5 month old weimerainer "JAck"
He love to play and does great in life. He is a hyper dog but will settle down on the couch with you. a joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OzFozz]

k9srmyfreedom said it all with regards to Border Collies.

Much to our surprise though, when we brought Coby home, we expected him to be the same way, typical Border Collie behaviour.
But he's more of a couch potato than anything LOL.

[kellynharley]

I think harley is a wannabe couch potatoe as i write he's happily chasing something in his dreams, little legs are twitching and he's grumpin :)

[crazydays]

I love the description-crackhead dog!! Its not funny at all because the behaviour is "wacked". My best friend rescued a border/retreiver cross. Shelby paces, snaps at nothing in the air, mouths with no intent; its like she is a "crackhead". She is a beauty but, such a handful! This dog in less than a year had been abandoned 3X at the shelter. My friend took on a real handful. Shelby-we call her hollywood blonde, sometimes needs the rescue remedy--she gets beside herself and when she is like this she needs to relax-shes just so uncomfortable. I feel she is not comfortable in her own skin. I have absolutely grown to love this dog-shes a beauty!!
Borders 4- good on you for hanging in there!! I would love to see a photo!

[poundpuppiesandme]

There is a book called "A Good Dog" by Jon Katz he has a Border collie with several of the samr issues, the book is about his journey with his dog orson who is a "crackhead" this man made a life long cometment to his crazy dog, that is the story of the book, you may finf it insiteful and who knows maybe helpful

[k9mania]

That is a very good book for all of you out there. It shows how patience can help but not always cure such problems. I just finished listening to it as a book on tape on one of my trips to WA. I heard they might make a movie.

[poundpuppiesandme]

Cool, someone else who reads....i often feel like an outcast. But, i truly love doing research on the canines, it is a hobbie of mine. If there are any other books you recomend, i would love to hear of them...i am reading "Dog Love" by Marjorie Garber, i just started it so, will let ya know.

[Maryann]

I have an adorable 9 year old Border Collie named Boo. He became part of our family we he was 3 months old and we were very careful to be sure he was well socialized with people and other dogs as a pup. He is obedience trained and loves to learn new things. I work with him daily. My problem began when Boo was about 6 months old. With our family, he is the best dog imaginable. However, if anyone comes to our house, he goes berserk. He will bark non-stop, snarl and literally spit in his frenzy. When we take walks, he is much better around people and in fact doesn't seem to notice them unless they make eye contact with him and/or speak directly to him. Boo also goes nutty around other dogs. Again, we never let him off leash around other dogs, but we walk every day so he sees dogs often. When he sees another dog on leash, he jumps and lunges to get to the other dog. However, it seems to be a different behavior than when he encounters people. When he sees dogs, he doesn't bark or snarl, just jumps and lunges. He is such an incredible, sweet, loving and amazing dog, but we can't let our friends around him and he never gets to play with other dogs because of his aggression. Any suggestions? :confused:

[J. Hall]

That would be cool if they made a movie of that, I am still laughing at crackhead dog thats too funny. When I was younger we had a neiborhood dog acted very moody' sometimes he would play with us sometimes he would try to bite us . We would always say' "Geez That Dog Acts Like Its on Crack". :D :confused: