I know this isnt about Art, but at the moment Effie is taking up most of my waking time, so its an explanation as to why I havent been painting. Thinking about it, yes. Doing it, no.
We have had Effie for just over a month now.
What have a learnt about puppies in general and border collies (bc) in particular?
Puppies are exhausting. Unbelievably so. There are long threads devoted to this topic on message boards/forums where people will detail lack of their of sleep and exhaustion across many breeds. I have read more than once, that some people (women? men? It could be either to be honest) cried every night for a month after getting their “adorable” puppy. Have I cried? No, but I have certainly shouted at my husband from exhaustion more than once. Its getting better, slowly. BC are marmite dogs – they have legions of fans who adore them but the rescue shelters also have more than their fair share of abused collies.
What have I learnt about bc puppies
- They are not like other dogs – they are very sensitive – especially to sound and dont like traffic or shouting
- They will “go” all day if you dont make them have several naps during the day
- They get cranky if they don’t have naps – Effie takes a longer than I would like to go to sleep for her afternoon nap.
- They can chew ANYTHING but dont always want breakfast in the morning.
- They do crazy digging before they go to sleep. They are meant to be making a bed but Effie NEVER sleeps on the spot where she’s been digging
- They are REALLY clever – much smarter than any other dogs I have come across
- They are free spirits (which means they may well refuse to do the thing they know how to do because they dont WANT to do it). What’s the word for that – stubborn? Perhaps I am not a worthy leader/owner/guardian? It’s a tough role to fill.
- They LOVE company.
- They also need quiet time.
- They dont like strangers sticking their faces in theirs saying “How cute!” They can get really upset by that sort of thing.
- They love to play games and will play on their own too. They are willing pupils so long as they like the treat (cheese is good).
- If you dont find them a job to do, they will find their own. If it goes quiet its usually because she’s found something really good to chew.
- Effie likes zips – on cushions, pillows, jeans – where ever she can find them. She also likes tassles. And hats, and tea towels. Most things really.
- She is an excellent guard dog but doesn’t just bark her head off.
- Effie gets hiccups a lot
- Effie doesn’t hold grudges and every day is a new start!
- I wish I had her energy.
- I love her.
Effie looks absolutely gorgeous! I can only imagine how much work a bc puppy is. My mum’s dog who I now have is half bc and is 9 so very grown up but SO clever and very good company. Enjoy!
There’s hope then? People say stick them in a crate. We have a crate and she goes in occassionally (shes even been known to snooze in there) but we have failed to uise it regularly. As I type this is is ramaging around the room and I know I will look up and find some sort of destruction!
What a delightful post, Emma. It’s a long time since I had a puppy in my life, but I imagine many of these problems will resolve once she has grown a little more. Nothing like puppy love!
h I really hope so, Anne. its tough after having a dog for 15 years that you knew really well (and she knew us). I spend a lot of time training her in the hope that one day it will all click!!
<3
Effie is gorgeous….and like most pups it will take time to establish routines etc. Meanwhile perhaps a sketch book always at hand might be a good idea:). Happy New Year and good luck with Effie…:)
Ha!Ha! I am working up to that. At the moment I am trying to get her to nap in a darkened room but it takes ages for her to settle.
I am sure your heart melts when she looks at you. 🙂
She gives me a ‘cwtch’ in the morning too!
This brings back so many memories! I often cried with frustration when Lyra was a puppy – sometimes I’d find myself shouting at her, then crying because I felt so bad about shouting. Lyra isn’t a Border Collie – she’s a whippet – but a few things on that list apply to her as well! She still does the crazy digging thing, she’s ruined several zips and she’s stubborn as hell. I’ve just had to tell her off for doing crazy digging on my bed (shere she isn’t allowed) and INGRAINING mud into the sheets. She drives me mad sometimes, but I wouldn’t be without her. Hopefully, Effie will be easier to train.
Ha! Ha! it’s clearly a puppy thing. We have only had one puppy before – most of our dogs have been adult rescues, which brings a whole different set of issues. I guess I worry because she so smart and collies seem to get screwed up so easily (chasing bikes, cars, obsessing about tennis balls and separation anxiety). Effie is very sweet and I must say we struggle when we are tired (both her and me) that’s why I said we start again every morning. I have avoided being in charge of the dog/s ever since a terrible accident meant one of them, Dottie, was killed on Oystermouth Road. So it’s a big deal for me!
Border Collies are reputed to be the smartest of all dogs, all the websites about dogs unanimously discourage people from having them as pets, unless they can be given a job to do, like herding other animals. It looks like you are doing quite well with Effie!
She’s certainly a lot of work! She has some cats to herd at the moment.
How is Effie doing? How are her owners doing too? 🙂
Effie is doing great growing fast. She’s been on heat for the last 2 weeks. She’s 7 months old. That seems typical for a collie. It’s not over yet. I have been getting extra early to walk her to avoid boy dogs, for obvious reasons.