Border Collie application-DENIED

[janie1234]

I just got an e-mail that said that because I do not have a fenced in yard my application will probably not be approved by any of the foster moms and dads. They took my application but said don't get your hopes up. Border Collie's need a large fenced yard or they become distructive. I am so sad. I don't even want to tell the kids they'll be heart broken. I'm so bummed I thought working from home and I am ALWAYS home and the fact that I run almost 5 days a week would give me a heads up, . .that and I'm a total type A personality that would be so commited to training. I bought Victoria Stillwells book from "It's me or the dog." Talked to dog owners even asked here. I did my research on dog breeds like everyone here reccomended, . .we narrowed it down to a german shepard and border collie but chose the border collie for its size. I don't get it, . . .nearly everyone in our area has a dog, . .one neighbor has a large grey hound and she doesn't have a fenced in yard. I don't want a tea cup doggie, . . I want one to run and play frisbee with. Take to the park and roll around in the grass. Maybe it was not meant to be.

 

[ImFiddY]

In my area there are many border collies at the local shelters. A shelter will not deny you. As long as you exercise your dog and keep it on a lead when you are outside you will be fine. Get a lightweight 20' rope and keep it on the rope until you have total recall.

 

[Gayle]

{{{Janie}}} Check with a different rescue or a shelter (like ImFiddy mentioned). Operating policies among rescues vary greatly, and not all require a fenced-in yard.

Don't give up hope.

 

[syzygy314]

I'm sorry this hasn't worked out so far, but I agree with the others. There are more than one rescue organization out there and they do all differ in requirements! Don't give up! Just apply with more than one or even go to see someone for a face-to-face pre-application interview!

There are way too many dogs out there that need good loving homes for all of the rescues to turn you down!

Good luck!

 

[kathryn]

Just because a border collie might not be the best dog for your circumstances, it doesn't mean you have to be dogless!

There are plenty of good, loving dogs out there (who aren't a particular bredd) who need a good home, and would make wonderful companions.

A visit to your local animal shelter seems in order!

 

[Sissy1983]

When we were looking for a dog i applied for a lab through a rescue and was rejected for the same reason. I think its completely bogus considering our dog is sooo spoiled.We have a nice home for a dog. I think that they shoot down a lot of good homes for dogs for dumb reasons. I understand that they want the dogs to go to good homes but, they never even came to our house

goodluck with your search. I would go through a foster home or a shelter

melissa

 

[shelsmaha]

Janie what about getting an underground electric fence? You may decide you want to fence your yard once you get a dog. Makes it much easier to let it out to potty. I bet if you hit some shelters you would find the perfect companion, border collie or not!! Good Luck~! There are so many furry friends that need good homes!!

 

[poohpeggy]

You can buy vinyl wire fence pretty inexpensive. You can buy the metal poles to go with it. You just use a mallet to pound in the metal poles and attach the fence right to it. It is simple and you can remove it if you want. My daughters and I did our backyard in about 4 hours. Ours is in dark green so you can hardly see it and we did not need a permit because its not considered permanent. (no cement posts etc). I bought mine at Menards but I'm sure Lowes or Home Depot or stores like that will have it. Check it out. Peggy

 

[andtckrtoo]

Janie - you're in California right? Let me talk to NorCal Aussie rescue (www.norcalaussierescue.com). I've fostered dogs for her and she's pretty good about it. She's also good at matching Aussie's to people. She has so many of them that you'll get a good choice. If you'd like to me to look into for you, PM me. I can talk to Kim. Some of these rescues are too picky.

Aussies are like Border Collies, but some of them actually come with off buttons.

 

[hokypoky]

When we got our Border Collie, the owner gave her to us because we had a 6' fence and wall. We ended up having to get an Invisible Fence because Sweetie would jump to the top of the wall or fence, balance, and jump down to the other side! She's a very social dog who likes to visit.

Before Sweetie found us (after she escaped from the previous owner), we looked and looked. Don't worry - you may come home one day and find the perfect dog in your yard. Like we did! You've worked so hard for this, it's just good dog karma.

 

[Shadowpup]

I'm so sorry - it's tough to be turned down like that.

But like everyone said, it's not anything wrong with you. It's just a policy, probably a strict one that they don't waive for anyone. Some rescues are like that. They don't always have the staff to check out individual situations, so they have to have a single set of rules that fit most people.


It sounds like something else good may be looming. I love that description of Aussies - like a border with an off switch! Oh, so very true. Our neighbor's Aussies are just like that.

 

[fit44]

I think some of the rules rescue groups set in place are absolutely ridiculous!
Seriously. What's so great about a fenced yard? It's not exercise and how many people throw their dog in the yard just to ignore it? Out of sight, out of mind.

I know there are rescue groups look for applicants without a fenced yard if they have a fence jumper. Boxers are part Tigger you know
IMO, some rescue groups need to rethink some of their guidelines. They are only hurting the dogs they are trying to find homes for.
I walked away from rescuing a boxer and bought a puppy from a back yard breeder because my DH and I were very turned off by the rescue group's guidelines. I must say, IMO they let a very good boxer home slip away.

 

[LauraMax]

Pedigreed rescues are so strange. I went through something similar a few years ago when I applied to the local pug rescue. Except I fulfilled all their requirements. I just never heard from them. I sent several follow up emails & called them, & they didn't even have the courtesy to respond. It's a shame too, b/c I'd donated to them in the past, which made it all the more offensive. You'd think they'd at least respond to a donor.

The fenced yard requirement might just be b/c border collies do like to run, & maybe some dogs who were adopted escaped their yards & got lost. Just a guess, I could be wrong.

Unless you're heart is really set on a border collie, I agree that a shelter is a good idea.

 

[lrayburn]

Don't rule out rescue groups altogether - rescue groups are only as reasonable as the people who run them. Many rescues ask if you have a fenced yard to start a conversation and are happy to place a dog in a home that has a safe, logical plan for exercising the dog.

Rescues are very particular about where their dogs go because these people see a lot and frankly can be very jaded about people. Their job is to place their dogs in the best homes possible for those dogs - not just to find a home for the dog. I have placed several of my own personal fosters and understand how nerve-wracking it can be. I don't agree with the policies of all rescue groups but do recognize that it is their right to set the policies they are comfortable with. If you don't like them, simply find another rescue group or a shelter to adopt from. I encourage people to be screened and approved by a particular rescue group before getting emotionally involved with a particular dog. It can be hard to be denied once you have become attached to the idea of a particular dog.

Many people like invisible fences (or the "non-fence" as I prefer to call it). I really dislike them for many reasons particularly for border collies. I'd be happy to discuss the reasons in detail later but if you are going to invest in a fence, I would recommend going for a 6 ft tall fence. Preferably a privacy fence but if that isn't possible, then a sturdy chain link or something similar. If that's not possible, simply manage the dog without a fence (onleash and with appropriate recall training). I think that is much safer than the false security of an invisible fence.

Oddly enough I find that most Aussies have less of an off-switch than border collies even though they tend to be lower drive, bouncier and more vocal than border collies. There are nice individuals of both breeds. Any border collie or aussie can develop an off-switch but its actually something that the owner needs to take the responsibility to teach - its doesn't come pre-installed in every dog.

Good luck on your ongoing search!
Lisa

 

[Gayle]

Don't rule out rescue groups altogether - rescue groups are only as reasonable as the people who run them. Many rescues ask if you have a fenced yard to start a conversation and are happy to place a dog in a home that has a safe, logical plan for exercising the dog.

Rescues are very particular about where their dogs go because these people see a lot and frankly can be very jaded about people. Their job is to place their dogs in the best homes possible for those dogs - not just to find a home for the dog. I have placed several of my own personal fosters and understand how nerve-wracking it can be. I don't agree with the policies of all rescue groups but do recognize that it is their right to set the policies they are comfortable with. If you don't like them, simply find another rescue group or a shelter to adopt from. I encourage people to be screened and approved by a particular rescue group before getting emotionally involved with a particular dog. It can be hard to be denied once you have become attached to the idea of a particular dog.

Well said!

FWIW, I had a poor experience with one Boxer rescue (unresponsive) and an absolutely fabulous experience with another (Second Chance Boxer). So fabulous that it made me volunteer with them.

Rescues and shelters are independent entities with their own organization, policies, governing structure (sometimes), fees, etc. Lots are great and some have issues...like other things in life.