Today is Moose's first birthday. In a little over a year, he has progressed from an unwanted, about to be "disposed of" puppy, to an over-indulged member of the family. From unwanted to loved. From unimportant to part of the family.
I had no idea what I was getting into when I told "the girl" she could have a puppy. But he was so cute, cuddly and playful that he won me over right away. I may have jumped into this a little quickly, My only previous experience with a dog was my childhood dog, that I got for a birthday present when I was six, so I had forgotten that dogs need to be trained and exercised, and that they cannot be left on their own for a few days, like cats.
And I had no idea what would be involved with raising a Border Collie before I agreed to let one occupy my house. I knew he was playful, energetic and loved to be rubbed and scratched. I found out on the ten-hour drive bringing him home from Kansas City that he did not mind riding in the car. But what I read later from a borrowed a book on Border Collies from the library, and heard from a couple of friends who know a lot about dogs, I was wondering what I got myself into. What I read was scarier than a Stephen King novel.
The warnings were clear. This is a highly intelligent, easily bored animal that will tear up your house if you don't keep him occupied all the time. He will take a great deal of work, he will push boundaries, he will try your patience. He will try to herd and dominate everything because that's what Border Collies were bred to do. He will be a challenge. Cujo seemed like an upgrade.
The reality of raising this particular Border Collie has been something much different different from the dire warnings about the evil that this dog would bring. He is a very intelligent dog, and does he like to herd everything. Some people use "herding cats" to describe the impossible. Moose herds the cat. All the time. Not that the cat cooperates, but it is herded nonetheless. I would love to see him with some sheep. He responds well to basic commands like sit and stay, goes out for "necessary breaks" on his own and stays in the perimeter of the yard without fence or chain, and is getting better about being walked on the leash. If we would walk him more instead of playing frisbee with him all the time, he would be much better on the leash. Frisbee is just more fun.
There have been reports of Border Collies knowing over 1,000 words. I don't think Moose is that smart, but he responds on command to finding his red ball, Kong and frisbee. He knows where to find his "house," which is his crate, knows it is time to go to sleep for the night when he hears "bedtime," He, much to my disgust, has not learned that rabbit poop is not food, but knows when to "leave it." He also has trained us to respond to his needs by doing his "tippy head" thing, where he tips his head from side to side, and whines when he has to go out.
He is also very sensitive to tone of voice and certain noises. Loud laughing or disagreements among members of the family result in Moose taking to his crate. When the neighbor next door cranks up his Harley, or when a helicopter goes overhead, he goes from room-to-room looking for the source of the noise. He responds enthusiastically to praise for catching his frisbee in the air, or when he gets a belly rub. He wears his mood on his little doggie face.
But, after we got through the puppy stage where he wanted to chew everything, he has not been destructive. He learned quickly what he could have and what he could not. And when scolded with a "bad dog" it is a more powerful punishment that I could imagine. As for needing to dominate, he is more of an overgrown lap dog, wanting more to just be a part of what is going on.
In many ways raising a dog is like raising a child. They require a ton of patience and understanding when they are young, they respond well to expectations and rules, and they learn at an amazing pace. They do things that make you crazy, but love unconditionally, if you love them in return.
There have been times, especially during the puppy period, that I wondered if I had what it takes to raise a dog. If I had the patience to teach him to be a member of the family. I have been frustrated, angry and impatient at times with Moose. But I have also been frustrated, angry and impatient with myself at times. I have learned to be patient with him, he with me. It has been a learning experience for us both. I have learned a great deal about his behavior and his needs and how they are connected. He has learned a great deal about my behavior and needs, and has adjusted as well.
But I still do not understand why he likes to eat rabbit poop. That is just...wrong.
