my collie x died this year and i was devastated . when i heard of a litter of brown collie pups i went to get 1.i had done all the stuff u meant to but i got side tracked as i really wanted flick back, an the dad was his double(he was quite unusual) so i got fly as a knee jerk reaction. i had put in hours with flick cos he was a nightmare (from the pound) but this pup is completly different to any thing! any1 out there with a understanding of the australian kelpie please help!
she is six months she was bought when my collie died a few months ago i have other breeds and they r fantastic but she is off the wall! for example .... she has grown up with cats (i have 3 very dog friendly ones) and last week she decided to rag one of them(and only 1 of them the nother 2 she just looks at!) she is car obsessed but we r working on that with toys and she has a head collar to keep controll. i know alot of this is in regard to the breed but i have been going to dog club for about 5 years with other dogs an my sisters collie the same age is not psyco she is really phobic of other dogs despite being really well socialised with nice dogs! any suggestions? fancied a flat coat at he time as well!
I am no kelpie expert (although my friend Willow is ;-) ) but I'd suggest she needs something to "do" perhaps...I realise she's very young but it may be that she's already starting to use her innate drives to fix onto things she isn't really supposed to. Of course it's impossible to tell over the internet But I'd think about lots of play training, and clicker training would work her mind very hard esp. if you did shaping exercises with her. In the longer term maybe think about agility? Just afew thoughts, hope they are helpful ;-)
Hi, I have a kelpie and unfortunately depending on the lines yours is from (not to good if its been crossed probably), alot of kelpie/collie mixes brings out the worst in them. The car chasing is a kelpie thing but you can get over it - ziggie did! The temprement thing is not so easy, IMO they have the potential for things like that with your dog it appears to be cats with ziggie its pups (not good not good at all), with alot of work it can become controllable but you will have to be aware of it permenantly. I would also suggest if you're not working the dog quite hard at something - sheep work, agility, obedience etc. the dog is probably bored they need continuous stimulation to keep there behaviour on track. please feel free to PM me if you want to talk or any advice. H xx
Hi, I'm not a kelpie expert, but looked into things when I started collecting collies. The consensus of those I asked was that they are as bright as collies, with a need to work as much as a collie, if not greater, but with a definite mind of their own. I have seen them work at agility, and they are stunning. I would agree that this pup really needs to work, and would agree that clicker training would be ideal,, because the dogs work it out for themselves, so it's mentally very stimulating. Good luck, let us know how you get on.
thanks 4 reply. yes i did not know there was any kelpie in her till we were leaving the place! i am normally very level headed and am pretty clued up on dog stuff but as they say it goes out the window when u see puppies! i have genned up on kelpies cos i have had collies and got on fine (rescue collies with baggage) but she is just so...."different"!!! it looks like it going to b interesting! oh yes another thing is she is red and the dog trainer here said "oh yes it allways seems to be the red ones have problems"... i thought ,as, with say labs and cockers,u only had problems if it was just to get a colour at the expense of temprement. i was quite miffed to as my last collie was red! thanks! heidi
helo surfthetide firstly i would like to say well done for posting on here.Think i live near you so atleast you have warned me to keep out your way when you have flymo with you lol No only joking. Havent got any advice to offer but it seems others have helped with lots of advice. Good luck then and hope fly sorts herself out soon. fiona
Have you thought about working sheep with your kelpie? It could be just what he needs Where in the Highlands are you? I am as jealous as can be ... I love it!
Hiya, I dont think it's anything to do with the colour - I know people who have red and black dogs both solid and with tan, even a cream - they're all the same H xx
My old neighbour has a red kelpie. She's a shepherd and works her. Fantastic worker but boy is she worked hard. I think that is what makes her calm as she is out there working all day. Helen
hi moobli thanx for message! i had a pet lamb when we first go fly an she was very nippy but she def has alot of drive would b a good worker an i hope she is gonna put it 2 good use in agility. i am in the spey valley do u know the area? it is heaven for doggy folk! heidi
Kelpies are highly active dogs. My parents have 2 an adult amle who would be nearly 10 and his daughter who would be 7. They need their minds constantly entertained. They do fall into some bad traits such as chasing things that move. My collie roughs can be the same, I have 1 bitch that chases cars, motorbikes, and kangaroos. Luckily they are all the other side of the fence. I would do a google search on kelpies and have a read up. Working sheep youhave to remember kelpies, work sheep differently to how BC work them, very few kelpies eye the sheep, most kelpies here in AUst are used as yard dogs. Ie Up on the backs of the sheep.
thanks to all who replied its been a hectic couple of months but i think the "cat therapy is working" i am much happier with her and one of my cats has had kittens so its been good for fly. i am now working on next kelpie problem... 3 cocker spaniels are a doddle compared to her!