1 year with the feral collie ..

[Karran]

One year ago I went and collected this rather angry, frightened and confused little collie-dog.

We've had blood, tears, LOTS of poo incidents and several people tell me that "when I get bored of trying to fix her, there's only one ethical option".
One behaviourist told me "there's nothing I can suggest that will help you. That you're not already doing."

She's destroyed my house and car. Took two days to want to be on the same floor of the house as me.
Given both me and Mrs Spaniel grey hair. She's launched herself out my house to herd cars driving down my road. I've sat on her to pin her to the floor to stop her assaulting friends. I've lost track of the people I've apologised to after she's rugby-tackled them in the park. I've made mistakes with her and had to earn her forgiveness and put them right.

There has been lots of self-doubt, thoughts that a better, more experienced owner would be able to deal with her better.
That maybe people were right and I should take her on a one-way vet trip. She was so close to going over the edge and becoming truely dangerous.

But we're getting there. Covid has given us a lot of time to work together. Now she often goes off to make friends with people (although choosing to go to drunks in the park wasn't her smartest move.) I actually had a stranger compliment us on her "lovely temperament" this week, - I nearly cried!

We may still have tried to take on a roadsweeping van recently but there's been no jogger/cyclist incidents this week at least!
We've started our agility and flyball adventures. She has dog friends and is learning how to make friends politely. We've got a goal of Kennel Club Obedience Bronze to achieve this year Covid permitting.
Groundwork with the horse is almost spot on with a bit more to do before she can fully hack out with us.

I am careful who she is around and I dont know if I will ever fully trust her around strangers because of her history but who knows what the future holds.

Another year and she might be a Good Dog!

I am dubious about posting the bite pictures for fear of backlash... but here goes.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Very well done, you have done a brilliant job with her.

 

[{97702}]

I feel your struggle totally and absolutely - after 3 years Millie lurcher nearly got PTS a few months ago because I was tearing my hair out with her behaviour. I’ve had a LOT of rescue dogs, but nothing ever like her - she has only bitten me once, but that’s because I have never given her the chance again after the first time, we have had a lot of near misses!

You have done an amazing job, you should be very very proud - I am sure you also feel the same sense of achievement and pride that I get from looking at Millie and knowing that I believed in her, I didn’t let her down, and I persevered. In her case scent work has been her saviour, you have done a lot more than that which is fantastic ?

 

[splashgirl45]

well done for not giving up, some of those bites look a bit bad, sounds like you have almost got there..

 

[Karran]

I totally know how you feel about Millie Lurcher!
i'm proud but I still have a long way to go. Today we had two bad walks and it was looking at my Facebook memories that made me realise it was our owner-versary and we had come some way which cheered me up.
I still have a lot of issues with impulse control, chase drive and resource guarding. Scent and Obedience work is in the back of my mind as she needs a job and it may well prove yet that she cannot cope with the pressure and high arousal levels of an agility/flyball ring.

I always vowed that I wouldn't move her on again even if it proved to be a mistake and she was here for life, however short or long it might be.
I live with my high functioning but autistic brother and he has taken to her in a way he couldn't with Mrs Spaniel and it has been that more than anything else that has saved her...

 

[{97702}]

Oh Karran I can totally understand. I have never EVER given up on a rescue dog, and I’ve had some crackers over the years, but with Millie I have found myself wondering at times whether she actually enjoys life? Sometimes everything is a confrontation or aggression/reaction

But I think she does love life really, so it’s my job to give her the best chance she can have? Hopefully I do that!

 

[Karran]

Lev I lurk here more than I post and it is fairly obvious that you give all your gang the very best life you can!

For a long time it seemed that way with Miss Collie, that everything was a reaction/confrontation. She is only the 3rd dog I've had and 2nd rehome case so I'm well behind you in terms of experience. I've learnt so much from her. She's a happy dog now even if I don't hit my ambitions for her and I'm sure Millie is happy enough in her own way too!

 

[GinnyWeasley]

It sounds like you are doing and have done an amazing job!!! Good luck in the future

 

[Bellasophia]

There are special people in this life and you are one of them..few would have taken on a dog like this,fewer would have made the progress you have made.She is so lucky to have met you.
I love the last photo of her flying over the jumps ,that must have been such a proud moment.The horseback photo is also intriguing,your horse calmly munching it’s dinner and your girl on top of her back,conquering one of her former fears( compared to her first muzzled introduction).
Really well done !

 

[Karran]

Thank you! ShareMare is pretty good with dogs - she's used to my spaniel always underfoot and I know as long as she had food it wouldn't be an issue. It was very much on, photo and off quickly just in case! I dont trust Miss Collie around other horses as she still gets a bit silly, but in time that'll come hopefully. She's only 18 months so still some maturing to do I hope.

Last week was our first flyball training session since March. Last time anyone saw her she was doing cartwheels and backflips on the lead trying to chase other dogs. Losing control off lead.

We did several full runs last week with another dog doing recall work close by and people couldn't believe the change.
Yes she was slowing down to eyeball them but she still did her run, stayed in control to have a play with her reward tuggy and then sit for me to hold and line up again. I'm hopeful for a repeat of that later today and we can build on it to teach her to ignore the other dogs.

 

[Parrotperson]

well I for one think you're doing a fantastic job and n one should tell you otherwise. She looks lovely in this flyable pictures. really enjoying herself.

keep up the excellent worK!

 

[Lots of Gift Bags]

Sounds like you're doing a brilliant job with her.

 

[misst]

Amazing! Congratulations. I'm in awe as I know I could never do what you have done.

 

[honetpot]

Our first dog as a married couple was a collie that came from the RSPCA, she didn't bite, but that was the only thing she didn't do, she was 10 months old and had been locked in a flat. They only thing going for her was time, I was not working and the house was bare floor boards and no furniture, although we did make the mistake of leaving her in a room with an old bed, which she dug a hole in. I spent hours walking her, trying to do a Barbara Woodhouse and had the blisters for it. When I used to hack, she couldn't pull or she would have hung herself, and we would go for miles, and she would never tire When she died at eighteen, and we had the family wake and funeral, it was hard to remember the hard times, she had put up with the children and a puppy, and was my best friend. Collies are wonderful but hard work, but you should end up with the best of dogs. Well done.