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My basic info
Breed
Border Collie
Color
Black - with White
Age
Adult
Size
Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg) (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Male
Pet ID
–
My details
Good with dogs
Purebred
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
Has special needs
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
Melvin is a 3 year old black and white rough coated purebred border collie. He's a stout boy, but not fat, weighing about 55 lbs.
Unfortunately, Melvin has sustained some sort of trauma to his tail at some point in the past (our best guess is that his tail was very forcibly yanked, dislocating it), he has suffered some nerve damage that controls fecal output. So, for now, Mel is depositing "balls" of stool on occasion. He cannot feel the urge to defecate, it just happens....this is not a behavior that can be corrected through training....please don't think you can try. He doesn't know it's happening. The upside, the amount of stool produced is always small, firm, and easily cleaned up. We have started Mel on a low residue food, and a medication that will hopefully stimulate his nerves. We don't know what the outcome of this treatment will be, any potential adoptive family needs to be aware that this could be "what it is".
UPDATE 7/11/11
Melvin has come a long way in the time hes been with NBCR! He is now potty trained, can be left alone in the house with no worries of marking or inappropriate chewing. He is still crated when no one is home, and enjoys his crate, is progressing well with his crate games training. He is getting along great with the 5 dogs that live with him. He did have a bit of a power struggle with one of the resident dogs, but they appear to have sorted that out. He doesnt really play with them, but has played with dogs that come over to visit. He does not herd the other dogs, completely ignores the 3 cats, and is doing well with not interacting with the donkeys, horse and sheep that also live on the property.
Mel has been herding in a round pen on a regular basis, and is showing some real talent. He did well in the Kathy Knox herding seminar he attended, and has a nice feel for the sheep. He is also getting the concept that herding is a team event, and his thatll do command is improving by leaps and bounds. He has not been put on cattle, but it is our thought that he would do well moving cattle, as well as sheep.
Mels recall is super, he goes for walks on the 50 acres without a leash and turns on a dime when his name is called. He is still rated as low energy, but only because he is so quiet in the house. He did get a puppy cut for the summer, we can now see what a lovely body he has, hes in wonderful physical condition, and keeps up, even surpasses the rest of the pack when outside. He has good toy play, fabulous sit, working on down and stay, doing some tricks, and his loose leash walking is really nice as well. At this point, he does not appear to have any inclination to jump fences.
He is enrolled in a Foundations Agility/Life Skills class, and is doing great! Number one goal is to be able to focus on the handler with all the activity and distractions, and he is excelling at this. He is quiet in his crate while the other dogs are working. He loves to do shaping games, is food motivated, and just wants to please. He is extremely social with people, will get anyone and everyone to pet him, he is a SUPER cuddle bug! He really shines when interacting with kids.
His poop issue is ongoing, but we now have a good feel for the extent of it Melvin can and DOES feel the urge to defecate most of the time, and during these times, he absolutely will hold it until he can go outside and do his thing, just like any normal dog. The feeling is not 100% and on those times when he doesnt feel the urge, a ball of poop will appear. It happens once every 4 or 5 days, then might be 2 days in a row .a single ball, at times, even less. He is currently on a premium kibble, so no special food is needed, and he is not on any medications.
We are calling Melvin special needs", and it will take a special family to even consider adopting a dog that drops the occasional poop ball. We understand that. However, if you have read everything GOOD about this special boy, contact us and well give you more details about his condition, so you can determine for yourself if Melvin would be the right fit for you!
A completed adoption application must be submitted to NBCR before you can be considered to adopt this dog. There is also a $180 adoption fee
The application can be downloaded from our website www.nebraskabordercollierescue.com or email karenbattreall @cox.net and ask for an application
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