Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am new to the forum.

We have a 3 year old female named Panda. We got her when she was one year old from a woman who rescues Border Collies. Panda, along with another 1 year old Border Collie, were given up because they were to much work. In this case the people who gave her up also provided her papers.

Like many others I could go on for pages on what a great dog she is. But she does have a few quirks I am curious about.

Anytime I use a broom or a snow shovel she seems to want to attack it. I assume this is some type of game for her. Although she was a year old when we got her she showed no signs of any abuse.

The other thing we have noticed is that she gives off a dog odor whenever she gets really excited or nervous. We notice this mostly when we take her to our cottage. We can give her a bath just before we leave but by the time we get there, 3 hours, she smell like she has not had a bath in a month. I know dogs do not sweat, is there something else? It does not smell like urine and in the 2 years we have had her she has only had 1 accident.

Can anyone provide some insight on these items?

>>I am new to the forum.
>>
>>We have a 3 year old female named Panda. We got her when she was one year old from a woman who rescues Border Collies. Panda, along with another 1 year old Border Collie, were given up because they were to much work. In this case the people who gave her up also provided her papers.
>>
>>Like many others I could go on for pages on what a great dog she is. But she does have a few quirks I am curious about.
>>
>>Anytime I use a broom or a snow shovel she seems to want to attack it. I assume this is some type of game for her. Although she was a year old when we got her she showed no signs of any abuse.
>>
>>The other thing we have noticed is that she gives off a dog odor whenever she gets really excited or nervous. We notice this mostly when we take her to our cottage. We can give her a bath just before we leave but by the time we get there, 3 hours, she smell like she has not had a bath in a month. I know dogs do not sweat, is there something else? It does not smell like urine and in the 2 years we have had her she has only had 1 accident.
>>
>>Can anyone provide some insight on these items?

>>>>>>>>>>>

The odor should be checked by a veterinarian. It could be anal glands or something else. If it happens with nerves, you'll want to train with her (formally, in good training classes) so that you will be able to give her the proper cues to let her know you have things under control and she can relax.

Chasing the broom would be herding/prey drive thing, stemming from her instincts. This can turn into obsessive behavior, as can a lot of things with a Border Collie who doesn't get enough training and structure in life. I have an article on Obsessive Behavior that explains what you can do to help her.
It's at the link below my signature.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47