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airbats-goku · Jan 28, 2007, 05:30 PM

My Border Collie,Hank, is a beautiful 3 year old male. We are his third home in 3 years and I see why. He's really too smart for his own good. He has escaped our yard several times, jumped through window screen, opened windows and the fridge, ripped apart a panel wall and eaten most of my window moldings and every blind in the house is either eaten or ripped down. I love Hank and really don't want to pass him on to yet another home in his short life. How can I tone the poor fellow down. We tried getting him a friend but that hasn't helped to keep him at home. Also he is very skinny for a dog that is nearly 4 years old. Will Hank eventually fill out. He is well-fed and gets plenty of exercise wth us and Riggs (his border collie/ husky roommate). Please give some advise.

labman · Jan 28, 2007, 06:07 PM

I will deal with the weight issue first since there are good answers to it. Some dogs are naturally lean. If his ribs don't show, he doesn't have a problem. If they do show, would he eat more if you gave it to him? If so do it. For more on this, see https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post254171

I have seen ''experts'' claim all Border Collies are unsuitable as pets. That may be true for some including yours. Border Collies are notorious for needing to keep busy. Is he neutered? Doing so if not already could reduce his nervous energy. He would certainly be less distracted every time a female upwind for miles comes in season. I don't know if more attention in the evening, flyball, agility, 3 hour walks, etc. would settle him down in the day time or not. You could look at doggy day care. A whole day of supervised play with other dogs should solve most of your problems.

airbats-goku · Jan 28, 2007, 06:19 PM

How do I tell about his ribs through his long hair? I do know that they are easily felt. You gently pet the dog and you can feel ribs and also backbone

labman · Jan 28, 2007, 06:47 PM

Often you can still see the undulations of the ribs. It is common on Shepherds which have almost as long of hair. Many of them just won't eat enough to completely hide the ribs. If you checked that link I gave, there is another link to an illustrated guide plus a suggestion to have the vet confirm your judgment.