PLEASE HELP. MY 9 MONTH OLD PUPPY HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A PHANTOM PREGNANCY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.
SHES BEEN ON MEDICATION TO REDUCE THE MILK, WHICH INITIALLY SEEMED TO WORK BUT LATELY HAS COME BACK WITH AVENGANCE.
SINCE THE BEGINNING SHE HAS TAKEN TO STARING AT SHADOWS 24/7 AND IS DRIVING US NUTS.
SHES NOT SHOWING OTHERS SIGNS OF BROODING, HERDING TOYS ETC ETC, JUST STARING AT THESE BLOODY SHADOWS !!
WHEN OUT FOR A WALK SHES FINE, IT JUST SEEMS TO BE IN THE HOUSE. EITHER STANDING STARING CONSTANTLY OR NOT EXACTLY GOING FOR A MOVING SHADOW, JUST CHASING OR TRYING TO NUDGE WITH HER NOSE. I THINK SHES GONE MAD !!
ANYONE GOT ANYIDEAS. IGNORING HER, DIDCIPLINING HER OR TRYING TO DISTRACT HER HAS NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER.

hi apart from the phantom pregnancy its normal for border collies to chase/ nudge things as i own 2 of them who are only 5/6 mths old,my 5 mth old poppy loves to try and chase/herd flys it so funny to watch,is she still producing milk?
if so i would get her checked out at the vets once again sorry for not being much help someone with more knowlege im sure will be able to help.

Hi,
I have 2 springers that do the same, and they have been doing it for a year now although its not quite so bad, we have seen a behaviourist who to be honest was a complete waste of time and money. There is not alot you can do to stop them but the best method that we have found is the distraction one or keep them away from the area they do it most in, ours only do this in the kitchen so we keep them out as much as possible which has helped.
Good Luck I hope you find a solution.

TO be honest, the two problems have probably nothing to do with eachother. I have a SCWT. she does it, she is just playing! also had a lab, he did it too... TO add to that, 2 cats who are the same. NO one can tell them what a shadow is, so they are interested... relax about it, and accept your dogs for what they do!

My springer does it too, most people think its funny that she can entertain her self for hours, but its a waste of time trying to do any training with her when its sunny, she'll go out on a retrieve, on the way back she'll spot a shadow, usually mine, and thats it training session over. We've got lines of holes across the lawn where she's followed a shadow across it as the sun moves.
We're going on Barking Babes :) wonder if they'll suggest a kong to distract her :D

Robert

When are you going to be on, Robert? I'll have to get the tape dusted off again!

I don't know the producer is trying to phone me to arrange a day for filming but I've been out all day, since the news got round the village I've been very much in demand as a minor celeb :D
I went to the bank in Helston this morning, and managed to walk behind Judi Dench, who was being filmed for a new costume drama, I was shocked, you should have heard what they called me
I then heard that they were moving on to film at Cadgwith not far from where I live, so I got to stand behind some extras who we're being filmed for the local news :D
I'm getting my 15 minutes of fame in ten second bursts lol.

Robert

Hi Robert,
I have an identical springer to you, he spends all his time chasing shadows and even creates them by slamming the door with his leg and chasing the shadow the door makes, like you say during the summer its impossible to do anything with him. How old is yours mine is 11 months.

Hi Sandie

Heidi is 12months, when we're out walking she heels perfectly, if there's a shadow, but she doesn't walk to heel, she bounces along to heel, some times she looks like a little "Bambi" as she goes prancing along after shadows.

Robert

barking babes couldent train my pooch , shes not into food unless shes starving so the kongs wouldent be too helpful;)

ahhh my big long post about what mine dose has gone? where!!!! come on champ ds where u put it???!!!!

I have never heard of barking babes, what is it?
k

'Barking Babes' is a couple of behaviourists on "This Morning" (ITV, Thursdays) who try to advise on dog behaviour problems.
:)