Finally got a dog...

I made the leap and picked up my 10 month old Border Collie, Riley, on July 2nd.  I am very excited!  Any advice from you guys out there on tips, tricks, training, and possibly fishing with him out of my Outback...please chime in.   Thanks.



HB

Kool HB...

Your going to want to work on that kayak dog thing asap...

I waited way to long for our lab/wemerianer mix...  she's a herder to... 

worst kayak dog ever!!!!

I'm sure others will chime in with tips,

but nothing has worked for my Sahara,,, 

Once you/Riley master the command for "stay" the rest is a piece of cake. 

As for placement, in an outback, you're best bet is to start off on the drivewell.  That way you can keep an eye on lil Riles.  Then graduate to the tankwell.  good luck

Thanks.  He already knows sit, down, stay, wait, come...etc.  We'll see how things go this week at home.  I first plan on taking him to the water to play before trying the yak.  Then maybe work on his yak skills at home in the garage next.  I'm not in any hurry to take him out, unless he can learn to wacky-rig a senko for me.

Right now, I gotta get the gravel down in the backyard.

HB

Congrats Brain. They have a LOT of energy. Unlike a lad some B/C's aren't as water happy as others. Take it slow and let her let you know how water friendly she is. Again, Congrats!

Wow! Gotta love border collies. Energy is an understatement......they put the Energizer Bunny to shame!
1. Regular walks....it's good for them, it's good for us too.
2. Since they are so intelligent, they need some sort of regular task/job, or they will make up their own, like shoe re-designer or garden re-modeler. I have my little girl help with the garden watering each morning for which she gets a treat, fresh greenbean or snap pea off the vine. Just a little routine task does make a difference.
3. Commercially available dog treats fall into two categories; affordable with lots of bad ingredients, or expen$ive (with some bad ingredients). My BCs will sniff a dog biscuit before taking it, but, they will take off a finger (or do endearing ticks) to get a baby carrot or snap pea or apple slice plus a long list of other good produce. Just avoid wheat or corn in their food along with nuts, avocados, garlic, you can find a list of other things to avoid on-line. If you read the ingredient list on good "vet recommended" food, lots of veggies are high on the list (french fries don't count).

As lil snapperhead mentioned, they aren't like a lab, natural water dogs. We have noticed they tend to become more comfortable in the water somewhere around 1-1/2 to 2 years old (our two and the neighbors three have all followed this pattern), maybe earlier if you specifically work with them on this.

Your life has changed, enjoy your new life!

My family, Carol with Taz and Sarafina (the devil and the angel)

Thanks for the advice everyone. 

Here is Riley in his new home.  Lots of energy and very happy.  Has the basic commands down and follows me everywhere I go.  CC--thanks for the advice on treats and training.  I'll have to keep my fishing trips a bit shorter when I leave him at home.




HB

Well, there goes your sedentary lifestyle Bryan. Congrats!

Congradulations on the new family member,
There is a lot of info on the web to help with training
I found this one very helpful;
http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/
A dog has a way of being a closer friend than any human can ever be

Enjoy the love,
Eric / Yakhopper

A dog has a way of being a closer friend than any human can ever be

Ditto that!

Border Collies are a super intelligent breed.  The best advice I can offer is simply spend as much time with your dog Riley as possible and take him to lots of different places and expose him to lots of different situations.  You'll get to know your dog's hot buttons which will make training easier, and likewise, your dog will learn to read you.  My dogs all maintain good eye contact with me and can almost read my mind.

Just like a 401K. The more you put in (time) the more you get out.

Thanks for all the great advice.  What about a lifevest for him (if he does go out on the yak)?  Brands, best practices, etc.?

Happy Fourth of July too.

HB

Just like a 401K. The more you put in (time) the more you get out.

Great way to look at it!! Just about everything in life could be looked at it from that perspective.

A dog PFD is a great thing to have when you will be fishing in current, where the shore is obstructed, or far from shore.

Thanks for all the great advice.  What about a lifevest for him (if he does go out on the yak)?  Brands, best practices, etc.?

Happy Fourth of July too.

HB

I went with the MTI Underdog http://www.mtiadventurewear.com/products.php?id=7#feature
It floats them from under their chest instead of high on their back, keeps their head higher out of the water.

Check this out. http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=21852.0

Border collies are frickin smart but you have to be the alpha dog.