Big Paws Only Dog Forums

I had a border collie, Aussie mix.  She was VERY intelligent.  Knew most of her commands by 6 months and never forgot a thing.  She was very willing to please me except for one thing: she felt she was too dignified to ever walk on a leash  !  I couldn't get her to do it to save my skin, but she was extremely obedient so I did not have to worry about her going anywhere. 

They are high energy dogs.  If you can devote a substantial amount of time to them for play and obedience training, then you will have an excellent dog.  They do like to run and so until you are sure that they'll always 'come' and stay with you, you'll have to leash them.  They normally get along well with other dogs as they are pretty happy dogs.   Give them a job and they are happy, teach them to fetch the paper, slippers, etc...they are great dogs, but people have a tendency to misunderstand their needs and then can't cope with the behaviors they end up having because of boredom.

Good luck!

My husbands company is hiring in Brattleboro, Vermont...anyo ne live near there that can give me any info...thanks!

It was funny...first we got one cage we thought would fit her-they also didn't have the other cage in yet and we wanted to get started.  Well she didn't understand that she had to duck her sholders a little to get in through the door.  She hit the top a little and her mind was made up...she was NOT going in...we gave that up after day 2 and took it back to get the ultra large cage special ordered...you BPO people know what I'm talking about...#99N.  That thing is monsterous and right now sits in half the dining room of my little 1400 Sq ft house!  That's ok though, because she went in it this morning after about 6 minutes of conjoling her with me in there...then later we went in again and she sat in there all by herself and I walked out with keys in hand....she did not go nuts atleast.  Came back about 5 minutes later and let her out.  She of course got tons of lovin'.  I too crate train all my dogs.  I feel it's just safer for the dogs and the home while you are gone and also in case people come over who are scared of her, mainly little kids and I have lots of friends with little ones so....

I'm such a goob  !  I looked all over....oh well...I figure my way around here before too long!  Thanks for the compliments on Perdi.  We think she's purty too!

Yep...Perdita is her full name, but we just call her Perdi.  When I adopt dogs (which all of mine have been, unless they were found as strays), I like to change their names...give them a completely new start.  I think it really helps to disassociate their past life completely with their new one...I'm not sure why the pic on my original post isn't showing...she's a very pretty darker mearle...