This week we’d like to feature a beautiful Border Collie named Summer. Summer - Oregon Humane Society. Summer is 4 years old and weighs 52 pounds. Summer is a typical herding breed dog who was raised in a very rural environment. She needs to find a dog-experienced person who can give her time and space to adjust to a new home and a home in a quiet area. She also needs someone who wants to continue training her to reduce her chasing instincts using the same positive reinforcement training methods we have used here at OHS. In her recent adoptive home, she herded and nipped children and was difficult to handle on leash when she saw stimulating triggers such as cars, other dogs and bicycles etc. so we’re requiring that she go into an adult-only home. She would also struggle in a high traffic area, a home with a lot of hustle and bustle, or a multi-family home.
Summer needs a securely fenced yard where she can have space and calm. She will not be able to go to the dog park, so leashed walks in quiet areas and playtime in your yard will help her be successful. Summer responds best to positive reinforcement and reward-based training methods. This can include treats, squeaky toys or tennis balls, depending on which she responds to best in your home. Anything negative or forceful will likely hurt her sensitive nature and cause her arousal or excitement level to increase and will ultimately be counterproductive for both of you. She has a herding breed tendency to chase cars and lunge and spin when she sees dogs or motion. In her previous home, they reported this was improving a lot by teaching “Leave it” and rewarding all calm behaviors.
Are you experienced with herding breeds? Do you live in a rural area with a fully fenced yard? Summer may be the girl for you. If you’d like to learn more about her and meet her, please fill out the questionnaire at the bottom of her profile.