new puppy

[version girl]

just brought a border collie into our home, have a westhighland terrier who is 3, puppy is 10 weeks old and just wants to play and nibble at westie is it ok for me to let them do this or should i try and stop it as i dont want either of them to get hurt, or is it just about them getting to know each other or are they trying to see which one is going to be boss

[lankeela]

Older dogs will very rarely hurt a puppy, they usually just put them in their place if they get a little too rough. This will actually help to train the puppy so don't tell the Westie off. This is also what you should do if the puppy nips you, make a noise like you have been hurt (a loud 'yip'). Don't allow the puppy to get too excited though, give him somewhere to go and rest (a cage or puppy pen) which will also give the Westie a break.

[version girl]

thanks for your advice i think were doing it right

[Rosenicola]

Hi there,

My border collie is now 15 months old and when i first got him, he used to bite and nip PPL's feet a lot. This was with other animals and with children.

The reason they do this is because it's in the their jeans.
It's because these dogs are bred for farming and in order to keep the sheep together they nip at the sheeps feet.

Border collie puppies tend to do this as it's natural to them, but they soon grow out of it.

Mine stopped doing it at around 5 or six months old.

If he is hurting PPL then tell him off, but they are just doing what is natural to their breed.

This is what the farmer told me when i got my pup.

I hope this helps.

[Rosenicola]

I meant 'genes' not jeans LOL

[charlie01]

as lankeela said, sounds like normal doggie behaviour. just squeek when he nips you and walk away, ignore him for 5 mins until he calms down and then carry on as normal. i'm sure your doing fine, border collies are natural herders and your westie will tell him off and put him in his place. it's natural but do feed them seperately and like lankeela said buy a pen or crate for the border to seperate them and give him his own space. you don't say where you live but i'm a dog trainer and puppy socialiser so if you need more advice,.....,,..,.,...,,,,

[version girl]

thanks charlie,our bc came from a farm straight to us, after getting a clean bill of health from the vet he said he assume that she hadnt had any of her jabs or worming treatment so started her straight away. after 6 days noticed round worms in her stools how often will i need to worm her to get rid of them, she is eating and drinking ok

[lankeela]

I'd worm her again a month after the first lot, then after three months and then six monthly. Each treatment will rid her of the actual worms, but you need to repeat the process in case of any re-infestation, particularly if she ever has fleas or plays where there are rabbits or hedgehogs.