BS: Watching Cody Grow

Subject: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 09:49 PM

This ain't about music, but its the next best thing. Dogs.

I recently went out at bought my newest "OL DOG". We have kept little house dogs for many years, but until I retired and we moved back to the country, I haven't had a "Good old Dog".

His name is Cody,almost 5 months old, and a genuine Border Collie. We are both now in training.

My good wife fusses about him because he tramps in her flowers, brings mud to the porch, runs off her cats, or in general, acts like a pup.

Even though we have plenty of room for him to roam, I keep him confined some just to keep peace in the family. He is on a long chain and has access to his doghouse or under the barn.

Smartest dog I have ever known. When I tell my Good Wife about some of the things he has learned, she says I sound like he's a grandchild. I played my guitar and sang to him,"OLD SHEP", he was not impressed. Wanted to chew on my Martin.

With Catters permission, I would like to report on Cody from time to time. Also, if any of you are Border Collie owners, I would indeed like to learn from you about traing my OL Dog. Jeep

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 09:56 PM

Hey man-you watch out.Them Border Collies is too smart for they own good.Enjoy him and keep us posted.

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Banjer
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 10:02 PM

If Cody were mine and the 'Good Wife' continued to make disparaging remarks about him, she and he may well be changing places...ie: find her a comfy spot in the barn! Would very much love to watch grow up through yur eyes! Please keep us posted. I know how much grandpuppies can mean. Besides my own two dog friends I often have my oldest boys two Labrador/Pit Bull mix guys to babysit! They are such a comfort, all four of them and until MY 'good wife' learns how to greet me at the door after a long exasperating day, they will rank number one!

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: death by whisky
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 10:17 PM

Our "Old Dog",passed on in October.Gave us 14 years.Dillon,as in The Magic Roundabout.Now we have SPARKEY and MUTLEY.Sparkey is a jack russel with a big head and pointey out feet like a ballerina,then theres Mutley,mid-size,black,shaggy,springs like a gazelle accross the dunes.Weve had Sparkey since a pup.and Mutley as a stray.Early days yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 11:36 PM

1) Keep us posted.
2) Take him OFF THE CHAIN!! Get a fence. (NOT a Shock collar.
3 Find him something to DO! or he will find it himself and you might not be happy about what he finds.
4) Yes, Border Collies are too smart for their own good.
5) I LOVE Border Collies.
6) I would never live with a Border Collie.
7) All the "herding dogs" are a challenge, but BC's are the biggest.
8) Good luck and have fun! (vac, neuter, etc!!!!)

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 12:12 AM

That's great, Jeep Man! We've got a McNab Border Collie halfway down the page. Best dog we've ever had. My favourite bumper sticker says, "My Border Collie is smarter than your Honor Student!"

Sorcha is right, though, they shouldn't be on a chain. This breed is one of the most loyal, they literally will dog your heels; in the house it is the only thing that drives me buggy sometimes, is the minute I THINK about getting up, Merlee is already on his feet ready to provide "backup." I have to tell him to lie down and stay.

If you watch any of the shows on sheep dog trials, you will see that BC's respond to a variety of signals, including whistles, voice, and hand. I usually only have to show Merlee a new thing once and he's got it down. I always associate a hand signal with it, as he and I both get tired of me getting too loud sometimes.**BG** All I have to do is point towards the ground or floor and he drops where he is. Then palm outward, facing him, and he stays. There are various others. I do let him go with me almost everywhere as I think left too long alone he would get buggy, too, but he would never do anything in the house, except sleep in my chair!

He has watched the way I handle the six cats when two or more tangle and took it upon himself to go see what's up before I even hear them. He just walks between the two which are fighting and that is that. Sometimes he will get a little lazy and I have to tell him to go "break it up."

He started out way too aggressively, long ago when we first found him and I thought I'd have to get rid of him. He grabbed a very precious old cat of mine by the neck. I put a muzzle made of two velcro straps on him, through which he could eat and drink, and he never bothered them again. I tell him "no cats" now and he's been fine for years. It was comical when we put the muzzle on because he was so ashamed. He walked around as though it weighed ten pounds. Wouldn't lift his head, banged into doors and walls except when he remembered to feel along with his nose. It was pathetic. They are sensitive!

One website I went to said never let a McNab sleep with you, you'd never get your bed back. My daughter can confirm this. We picked him up as a stray and all strays started out their time in her room. She thought he was so cute, up on the bed it was. Well, he pushes with his feet, very cute but it hurts AND eventually he has the whole bed to himself. He gets to come up on ours as a special, one minute treat then he HAS to go to his bed.

IT is VERY important for them to have their own bed/cave/place that they know is theirs alone. Merls puts himself 'ta bed" when he gets found out after getting into trouble. Puppies esp. need this as they may become too aggressive later on because trying to protect a huge area, i.e. the entire yard versus their "bed" can be overwhelming and make them nervous. It is also a control issue. You have to be the Alpha Dog with a BC, esp., so establishing their "time-out" spot and utilising it is very important.

We've decided we'll probably never have anyhting but McNab's from now on. I hope I haven't bored you will too much, but we really love this breed and our dog! A couple of the old Thoughts for the Day I wrote were about Merls.

Oh, one more thing, they are the most anticipatory dog I've ever known. Always thinking about what your next step and desire might be, always wanting to please, to work for you. Watch their eyebrows and you can almost see the wheels turning.*bg*

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Mudlark
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 02:44 AM

Jeep...please do keep up posted on Cody. I've got 3 corgis that sound a lot like Kat's McNabs in that they are anticipatory to a fault, follow me everywhere, love action, and need to have something-to-do! I agree with the no chain approach, but understand the difficulties. Buying these expensive corgis was cheap compared to the money we put into fencing once we had them. First fenced the entire 5 acres, then had to cross fence so they couldnt come in contact with a bad neighbor dog. The big payoff is that they do exercise themselves a lot and can do a lot of fiddling around without getting into any real trouble.

The only thing I disagree with in your post is your priorities. Much as I love music, I'd shut my mouth and sell my Martin before I'd give up even one of these dogs.

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 04:24 PM

Folks, I thank you for your response. Any of you know more about a BC than I do. I will be back soon with updates and I will follow suggestions as much as possible.

He thinks he ought to go to school and be in the 5th grade but that wasn't possible. His IQ for now keeps him in the 3rd grade. Jeep

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 08:22 PM

Update on Cody.

Nights coming on here in the mountains and Cody and I are just back from 5 mile trek. No, I didn't walk 5 miles, I walked about 1/2 mile, Cody ran 41/2. He's a happy pup.

This is as good a time as any to tell you about Cody and the White Faced Bull.

Our neighbor raises a few beef cattle and his fence borders my back yard. Cody's adventures as a herd dog have begun.

When he first spotted the cattle, he just sat and watched for 2 days.Then I suppose instinct took over and he decided to herd a small black calf. Calf ran off, Mamma came after Cody at a dead run. Little black and white dog left in a hurry. He tried again later, same result. Then he laid down and watched them for a long time.

He would look back at me from time to time, I was about 100 yards away, but I said nothing. This was a dog problem.

He saw the bull laying in the shade, minding his own business. Said bull is huge. About 2500 pounds of steak, roast, and burgers. He sleeps wherever he pleases.

Cody decided then to practice on this obviously harmless creature. He would run at him with his best herding skills?. He would scare this beast into going on down to the barn where he belonged. Little dog worked hard. He ran around and around the old bull, growling, dashing here and there, raising his hackles and acting downright dangerous.

Old bull sneezed.

This encouraged Cody, thinking he was winning this bout, renewed his efforts and even jumped over bulls back.

Old bull finally got a little peeved and got up. He snorted once and pawed the ground fiercely,staring intently at Cody.

Now get this picture. Big old bull, with a 35 pound dog about 6 feet from his nose being very impertinent. He started walking slowly toward the little dog, head down, grunting his displeasure. Cody kept going backward further and further. Bull kept coming. Cody kept going backwards, turning his head to see if I was going to help. I did't move.

Finally the fence was at Cody's back and his look was pleading, (but he didn't turn and run). I said "Come on home Cody".

That little black and white dog came like lightning. He jumped and whined and told me all about it. Bull was standing at the fence.

I said, "Cody, go run that bull off". He gave me a look of utter disbelief and went to check out his food bowl.

He will learn. Jeep

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 11:56 PM

Oh, Jim, that is just priceless!! I am laffing so hard I can hardly type. Indeed, learn he will.

I need to clarify a statement I made in my first post. I said "I will never live with a Border Collie". Clarification--that is because I am neither (dog)smart enough or brave enough, not because I don't love them. I do love them.

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 10:43 AM

Sorcha. It is so good to watch this pup try to grow up. He is at once comical and very serious. I guess I'll keep him,(If he will have me). Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 01:06 PM

Jeep, that was absolutely hilarious and charming! Sounds just like a BC!

BTW, Merlee loves his Aunt Sorcha, too!

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: death by whisky
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 07:08 PM

There's an Alpha thing going on between Sparkey and Mutley.They've got a lot to live up to.

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 07:57 PM

I thought this thread was going to be about the development of outstanding young flat-pickers.

Oh well....

Murray

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Mudlark
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 08:12 PM

Great story...and with a very happy ending, given some of the cantankerous, downright mean and dangerous bulls I've known...well, not "known" exactly...but been chased by.

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 07:27 PM

I was going to send the latest update on dog Cody, but I need to say this first.

My Good Wife (MGW) and I have had a little cookie crunching house dog for a good many years. He is a Schnauzer names Corky about as old as dirt, teeth mostly gone, sight and hearing are going. He is used to going outside several times daily to make his rounds and do his business.
Something has now changed. When he goes down the steps, he meets Cody.

Cody thinks Corky is the greatest.He greets him at full speed, grinning all over, size 16 front paws pawing, and promptly submits to the old grouch, as is proper.

Corky can't abide the young upstart. He jumps right astraddle of Cody, (If Cody is laying down), tries to bite his ears off, growls, snarls, coughs, and barks enought to drive off most anything. Not Cody. He stays for another treatment before I seperate them

Corky then goes on about his errands. On his return, when he sees Cody, its on again. Friendship is not on his mind.

MGW says that Corky has senority, and the right of way, since he hase been with us so long and is very old. She says Cody acts like a mongrel of uncertain backgroung and should be locked up and taught manners.

He does look like his ancestors might have been Coyote, the way he slips around, and walks sideways when he is going nowhere in particular. Stays skinny. I feed him like a horse, but he stays thin.

To get back to the problem. Corky can't last too much longer. I'll just watch after Cody and keep them apart.

Next breathtakein episode, "Cody and the bean patch, or how to stalk a bird". Jeep

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Banjer
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 07:41 PM

I have a similar problem with the newly acquired Greyhound, Beamer by name and our resident curmudgeon Mr. Bear..a Chow/Shepard mix. Ms. Beamer (3 years of age) and Mr. Bear (16 years +) is not given to play, unless it includes his tennis ball which he still likes to pursue. The growling and snapping that ensue after one of Beamers advances is sometimes ear-shattering, but doesn't last long. Sometimes it seems Mr. Bear enjoys strutting his superiority. Ms. Beamer never seems to be intimidated by him and just walks away with the doggie equivalent of shaking her head.

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 10:32 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 11:05 PM

well Jeepster, I just love following this thread......There is nothing like a good dog unless it's two of them and we all have some real favorites. Here are my two longhair, blue Weimaraners, Sissy and Jaeger, Fat, Dumb, and Stupid....Me, not the dogs

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 11:10 PM

Here's a better pic of the dogs out camping....There aren't any better one of me! Got any pics of Cody???

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 11:05 PM

Not Yet. I want a picture of us both, but he hasn't learned how to operate the camera. COMING SOON!!!! Pictures of Cody and his Lord and Master. Yes, I mean Me!! Later, Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 11:09 PM

Super looking dogs Spaw. More later, Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Banjer
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 06:38 PM

Yeah Spaw, good looking group...That one picture in the bunch of Karen and Sissy is about how Beamer and I can be found most nights. She begrudgingly lets me have a portion of the bed. As long as I lay still in one spot and don't try to turn over or anything all is well.

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 07:10 PM

Jim, Cody is a BC--that means we need a picture of Jeep Man and his Lord and Master, Cody! (grin)

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 08:36 PM

I stand corrected. Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 06:41 PM

A little update here on Cody.

Today, My Good Wife hollered at me to "Please put this dog on a chain or leash.He will not leave me alone and wants to jump on me"

She was working in her flowers and Cody wanted to help. That's not so bad, but he was soppy wet and muddy. We have a small spring branch near the house, good place to hide and search for dog things. Real thickety. He has developed a game on his own, Barking and carrying on and being very bothersome. He has dug and wallowed and plowed a pretty good sized water hole, and continues to enlarge it daily.The BC way to do this is to jump in and try to bite little waves and ripples. That they are caused by him is of no importance.He jumps in with both front feet and digs and barks, and whines, and wallows like
a boar hog.

Needless to say, by this time he is utterly filthy, covered in water, mud, leaves, etc. At this time MGW comes out to work and faithful old Cody spys her. 2+2= Cody running to help which includes jumping on her nice clean clothes. Cody is on thin ice with Mama.

I clipped him to the light chain which is attached to a long cable so he can run. Normally he is there only at night. He can get into his doghouse, or get in or under the little barn. All this is attached to a nice shady tree.   

A while later I went down to check on him and of course he had managed to wrap his chain around and around the tree until he had only about 10 feet to work with. I scratched his rump and took the chain off the cable and walked it round and round the tree in order to give him some slack. This seemed to work until I noticed he was following me step for step and re-winding the chain the other way.

I called him a Dumb Dog and he grinned and wiggled , tail wagged and got all happy. You would have thought I called him "CODY THE WONDER DOG". He is a happy boy.   Jeep

Next episode: Cody Learns about birds and meets his first Possum.

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 10:45 PM





Refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Sorcha
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 10:55 PM

Wonderful!! Waiting breathlessly for Cody and the Bean Patch, or How to Stalk a Bird..........(I really do love this, Jim. I have dogs but miss puppies)

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 06 Oct 02 - 08:37 PM

Advice needed RE Cody. Attention, Sorcha, Kat and Catspaw and anyone else that knows Border Collies.

He is very smart, learns easily, minds me when he wants to and is healthy. Problem is, he is now 51/2 months old and still squats when he pees. He is a fair sized dog now and he looks silly and sissy. When do most dogs sniff a scent on a tree or bush and decide to raise their leg and cover it up? Do dogs go through puberty?

It is beginnig to worry me thinking I might have a dog who is "Not Right". I have heard of "Some Talk" among the neighbors. The local kids don't seem to want to play here as much as they did.

My Uncle Bud came to visit and to look over my new dog. Uncle Bud is my hero and advisor in all things.

He played with Cody, walked a way with him and examined him. He shook his head and said, "Son, its just possible this little dog is One Of Them."

One of What Uncle Bud?

One of them dogs that never quite grow up. He kinda grows sideways. Happens once in a while. He may even think he's a girl.

"NO"

True. I know you have your good name to think of and we always have to think of Your Good Wife. But the time may come when you will have to take action.

"What Kind of Action"?

Well, you can give him away. Selling is out of the question. Some city people don't mind that sort of thing. Or you can keep him locked in the barn, taking him outside at night. Good Luck, Nephew.

Folks, you can see, I have a problem. Please help.   Jeep


PS They are having a community meeting tomorrow night and I am not invited. Strange.

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Oct 02 - 08:41 PM

Nope, not "one of them", Jim. I know a LOT of boys that didn't lift the leg until after they were 12 mos. old. Briard boy friend of my finally figured it out at 18 mos, but he took another 2 mos to learn how to "twist" so as not to pee on himself. Don't panic just yet. (This is not a BC issue, just a boy dog issue.)

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 06 Oct 02 - 09:46 PM

Uncle Bud says their might be a support group that me and Cody can go to for help. Its called SDA. (Sissy Dogs anonymous). Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Oct 02 - 11:30 PM

Of course, you could (should!!) alter him; then he would be one of Those Others instead of "one of Them".........

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 07 Oct 02 - 11:44 AM

THINK I'll give him another chance. After all he doesn't have another male to show him all the ropes. I will report on the Bird and the Bean Patch in a couple of days. Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: MMario
Date: 07 Oct 02 - 11:56 AM

We had a Border Collie x Siberian Husky (Rascalnikoff Ivonovich Dogg - may he rest in peace) who was almost 12 months before he started lifting his leg. My BIL was concerned - and had him checked by the vet - who told him it was not unusual to take that long - and that the average age to begin is older for the larger breeds (in general)

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 09:24 PM

A few days ago, Cody and I were sitting on the porch, talking about the weather or politics or baseball, when a large flock of Starlings decended on the grass. I don't care for Starlings but they do control the Japanes Beatle population.

Cody came to full alert. Even his lazy left ear stood up nicely as he rose, he took one step forward and then looked to me for instructions. I said,"Go get'um boy". He left the porch in one leap clearing the steps and landing on the grass. He used his best charging skills to advance upon the birds. They in turn exploded into wild flight to excape this 4 legged threat. Their squawks and the sound of rushing wings was wonderous.

Some flew off, some flew to the large maple trees and some zipped in the bean patch.

Bean patch is made up of 4 long rows,(50 ft.) of climbing beans. Old timey cornfield beans, half runners and greasy cut shorts. Each row is about 7 feet high and can hide a lot of birds.

He dashed down one row, flushing birds as he went, 180 degree turn at the end to zip back down the next and so on an on. He happily did this until he could find now more birds. Then he would come down a row and barely stick his head out to spy on any birds returning. They did return only to be charged by a black and white demon from the bean patch. Birds soon got smart.

He kept this up for days, having great fun, thinking he was hiding. Then, someone cut down the bean vines! He thought about this for a while and decided since his beans were gone, he would take up with the corn.

He's still doing it. he runs down the corn row (1) thinks he is hidden an waits for birds.

I guess he is at least out of trouble. Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 10:42 PM

Great and vivid tellings, Jeepman! Love reading the next installment!

It does take a little coordination to stand 3 legged and let it flow. Just think how hard it might've been for you as a young tyke trying to sink the cheerios whilst standing on one leg!*bg* 'sides that, when they get old, old, it is good that they can remember how to squat like a "goil" 'cause it helps them keep their dignity when arthritis sets in or whatever.:-)

Oh, Cody, what fun you must be!

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 10:53 PM

Great stories!! My Briard friend is enjoying them as well. Thanks, Jim!

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: MMario
Date: 09 Oct 02 - 08:34 AM

Brings back many happy memories of our dogs as pups and youngsters.

Subject: RE: BS: Watching Cody Grow
From: Jeep man
Date: 09 Oct 02 - 11:11 PM

You folks have been such a great outlet for my thoughts about Cody. I do however feel as though I am over staying my welcome. I will,in a few days, report on Cody and The Dreadful Possum. Then I will rest it for a while.

I want folks to welcome my stuff as a dessert, not just more of the same old menu. Jim