Our Border Collie, Toby as an 8 week old puppy

dafferdowndilly777 Says:

Oct 5, 2008 - If a puppy does somthing that as an adult dog you would not want it to do then it is best not to encourage it just because it looks funny in a pup i.e. barking and chasing moving objects

trialist9 Says:

Oct 6, 2008 - I note that this was filmed in 2003, I'd be interested to know if this behaviour that you've encouraged has actually resulted in a dog that chases. As the other poster has commented you should not encourage behaviour in a young dog if you don't want to have to deal with it in an adult dog.

auntywainright Says:

Oct 10, 2008 - I have so many dogs coming in for rehoming because they are allowed to missbehave when they are little and then there is trouble with neighbours or members of the public when they chase nip or bark. Allof this learned behaviour has to be undone which takes time and resourses What a shame for these dogs because owners are not thinking . I hope this little fellow recieved some positive training and is now a super stable pet in the same home.

PCofTQY Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - For those whom have commented on the behaviour of our Toby, I'd like to reply by saying that this video was taken @ 8 weeks old. If we'd clamped down on his freedom to learn & interact with toys as a puppy, then his development would no longer be fun but more like being drilled by an Army instructor. Through love & trust, he was soon house-trained & before long, he learnt the first of many tricks. Now five, he's happy, quiet, playful (when encouraged), well-trained & very obedient.

PCofTQY Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - Our Toby hasn't at any time been trouble - to us or our neighbours. His behaviour in the video was that of an 8 week old puppy playing & interacting with a toy. He didn't carry any of the yapping or nipping forward as he developed naturally with age. Being a Border Collie, they are naturally intelligent & he was so easy to train. He's so clever that he listens to our conversations & knows exactly when we are going out or expecting company. He's an important member of the family.

PCofTQY Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - It seems strange that you have suggested that Toby's puppyish behaviour of the video would lead to him chasing or being a general problem when this could not be further from the truth. He's been an absolute pleasure to raise & he's loved by family & friends, admired by people in the streets for his looks & intelligence, & above all, by his good behaviour. I don't know if you have raised Border Collies - we hadn't until Toby - but now we wouldn't look to any other breed.

PCofTQY Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - We are talking about an 8 week old puppy here. I have seen teenagers behaving far more irresponsibly on You Tube at the end of the day with little criticism. Our dog won't make Crufts Intelligence Competition but he's well-behaved, happy & intelligent in many ways. To put your mind at rest, I will record Toby (now he's five) in the next few days & let everybody see what a great dog he has become. So watch this space...

trialist9 Says:

Oct 11, 2008 - The teenagers are probably far less interesting that BC pups, hence lack of comments;-) It's brill that your pup has grown into such a well behaved dog, well done you. Yes I have raised BCs, quite a lot actually, none robotic!