I felt that I had to reply to these questions with a seperate heading. Having had them for 20 years plus I felt I might be able to throw some light on this. All Border Collies, whether working or in a pet home environment, this includes obedience, agility and other sports, do not need high protein foods. They have enough energy being a collie to cope with food as low as 20% dry weight complete food. All puppies, regardless of breed need twice as much food as their adult counterparts. If you don't feed enough, then they will be guardy over food, especially if their worming is not kept upto date, which can cause more hunger and aggitation. If they are easily distracted and don't eat their food easily, they can go off to see what is happening and then they will start to rush back and forwards to eat and then again rush off to see what is going on, this causes an adrenalin rush and can cause aggression, either more or less, depending on the dogs background ie: having to fight for food from the nest etc. or rescue dog. So, feed in a room that is relatively quiet with the door shut to start with and monitor the situation daily to see if anything sets the dog off. Remember that all dogs, if not deaf, can hear for miles and sense what is around, unlike us that can't. Are you sure that it is food aggression or could it be the sounds that she is hearing that are causing aggitation? If you are not sure then get her ears checked. Not just on the surface but further down. I know of a german shepherd that had ear problems that made her very aggressive but as soon as the ears were sorted out the aggression stopped.
Hope all this helps. :)

Hi Jumbuck
I read with interest what you said about feeding etc. what you described was exactly how megan reacts at times.Rushing back and forth to eat her food .She is fed in a room with the patio doors open but i have realised that this is when she would behave like you described, we close the door now until she has eated. there are cats that cross over the bottem of our garden and would interupt her eating.
what do you feed your borders on ?
I feed megan on burns plus veg and have spoke with burns over the amount of food to give her and her weight, she seems to be doing well on it.vet says she's fine. she is ready for worming again in september.
I do feel it is the noises, but not all noises cause her to react.
Thanks for all of your idesa you have been very helpful , i also think the ear check is a good idea

Morning Jackie.m I feed mine on a variety of different completes but all low in protein but with the occasional bit of grated cheese or leftover meat and veg from our dinners. At the moment they are on Chudleys new variety Chicken, Liver and Veg and Turkey, Duck and Veg. Before that they were on Dr. Johns Gold which they did very well on and I am now considering going back to it. I feel that most completes have to be looked at carefully because some have a lot of colourants in them and these can affect the dogs behaviour aswell. Hope you get your Border Collie sorted out soon. If I can help in any other way feel free to email me.:) Where abouts do you live? Can always send you some info. that we have for our owners at classes.:) 

Hello again jumbuck,
I havn't seen Chudleys food in the shops, do you tend to get it from a specialised distributor ? What is the reason that you are thinking about going back to Dr Johns Gold ?
I started Megan on Burns this was when she was about 14 weeks old, after reading so many positive comments about it from the forum.You have probably already heard of it ,but that is specially made with low protien in mind .I have contacted Burns on a few occassions and they have been helpful. Before this she was on Pedigree Puppy as the owners had been feeding her on it, so i continued from that , It was at that time i had heard negative things about it so started to look for a dried complete alternative.
Before this so many people had suggested so many other things, and because i was a new dog owner as an  "adult' (we had dogs when i was at home with parents...over 25 years ago) i became confused.
Things have changed so much since then and there is so much info on what not and what you should feed that i began to look for other opinions from a distance ' hey presto'  i discovered this site. I always read others  problems /comments i dont use it as a bible, but there is some good ideas and support out there.
You mention that i could email you so you could send some info to me , are you trainers as you mention owners classes ?
 

Yes my secret is out. I have been training owners and dogs for to long to mention, alongside my daughter who has also been training for a long time and she has also taken a behaviour course. But, there is nothing like experience to teach you what owners are like. :-) and their dogs. I changed from Dr. Johns because the last sack that I had was very crumbly, but until then they had loved it. I may go back to it as long as I can be sure it has not been squashed at the bottom of a pile of it. They seem to eat anything as long as it has something that really smells on top, this then gets their juices flowing. Dogs eat by smell first, not taste. You can ask for any info you like as long as we have it. You say that you now shut the door. It is best that she can't see through it this will still compound the problem.

Good afternoon Jumbuck,
Thanks for your reply, I feed her in a different area now so she can't be distracted.
Also i will keep in mind what you have said about info, what area are you in ? i'm in south yorkshire . I have put my personal profile on now but i dont think it has registered so i think i must be doing something wrong.

Hi Jackie.M I have a friend that lives in S. Yorks. She is in Doncaster. I am in Lancing, West Sussex.

Hi Jumbuck, thats really funny, i work in Doncaster and live about eight miles away from there !

Hi Jumbuck,
Im not sure if you are aware that i am having problems with Megan and wheels. It is much better when out walking over fields etc but walking around our area on the street is a problem, when the odd car / bike passes. Megan barks and pulls hard on her lead. We have tried a few ideas but she still continues,  do you have any ideas about what might help us ? we will try anything.

I would certainly agree with walking megan on the right-hand side of the road so that she can see the approaching traffic, rather than it whoosh out from behind her. Just a thought, but has she been hearing tested? Border collies are a breed that has a problem with deafness, and this may be an element of the problem. She may be unilateral, and things on a dog's deaf side can make them jump. Of course, this may have nothing whatsoever to do with it, and she is just a normal healthy border collie with a high herding drive.

Hi Jeanie, Megan has not been hearing tested, she had a check at the vets at 8 weeks but he didn't do anything with her ears except look in them.He said she was in good shape and healthy. It sounds from what i have been told that there is another test she can have. Jumbuck has also mentioned possible sensitive hearing  . I am going to get an appointment for her, i shall have to mention 'hearing test' when i phone the vets.
Thanks, i'll let you know what happens.

Hi Jackie, the only hearing test which has any meaning at all is the BAER test, which is only done at a few centres, which are listed here though every few months 'travelling' testing sessions are arranged.
:)

Thanks for the details i will look it up , i have telephoned the vets also to enquire i am going to see my vet to get his advice when he gets back off holiday. I have done some simple tests at home this morning, to be honest i dont think there is a problem with her hearing (deafness) she picks up on any noises/sounds etc  but i would like to know abit more about sensitive hearing .
thanks again for your time
jackie x

It's the possibility of unilateral deafness which many people forget can affect them, though they compensate extremely well. I have a unilateral boy who sometimes doesn't know where a sound is coming from, because he can only hear in his right ear, so all sounds only 'appear' to be from that side. It can confuse him a bit.
:)

how did you find out about your boys problem ?

I have all my dals BAER tested as puppies.
:)

Has im new to the forum im still getting to know everybody. Do you breed borders or the pups you do have are tested once you get them...hope that makes sense !!!!!

Dalmatians are my breed, but I know that borders are another of the 40 or so breeds that have a problem with hereditary deafness. My last brood bitch was one of the first dals to be tested 11 years ago, and since then all puppies I've bred have been tested at 5 or 6 weeks of age, before they go to their new homes (or don't go!).
:)

what lovely dogs they are aswell !
when the pups are tested, what happens and what kind of eqipment is used ? when i spoke to the vets they say its a specailality test and not something done at the vets and they could refer me if need be. I will look at the site you gave me out of interest.

It's a very simple test, and is easier with small pups than with older ones or adults. Three tiny electrode wires are placed under the skin of the head (they literally don't notice a thing) and a headphone making a clicking noise is placed over each ear in turn. The electrodes pick up the brain activity (or lack of it) that the noise has stimulated. Small pups of up to about 8 or 9 weeks often go to sleep during the test, especially if they've been fed just beforehand!

Older dogs are generally too active to test without sedation, so it takes longer while the drugs take effect, before it is reversed and they walk (rather drunkenly) out of the room.

But it is foolproof. It was developed from the test they sometimes use to determine hearing in newborn babies. I must say it sounds doubtful that Megan has a serious problem with her hearing, if any problem at all.
:)

I dont think she has either but the checks you make on your babies are very responsible,
Megan was not from a breeder,  just a couple who had two borders themselves (non related ) with no passion to have pups from them. they are very happy and healthy dogs but i dont think they would have had there own dogs checked for this. It was the mothers first and only lot of babies. Since then she has been speyed.
I read on the site that you gave me what happens during the tests, its a good test !

did they eye test them?

I know they went to the vets for check ups and all had been ok

all collies should be eye tested btween 6-8weeks

Excuse my ignorance Michelle but is this a different check to what the vet did on the owners visits and when i took Megan to see my vet when she was 8 weeks ? My vet gave her a thorough examination and said she was in excellent shape.

yep! sorry!
im sure shes fine,it just that collies have quite a few health problems (my flynn has bad hips!)& i believe or litters should be tested for ears & eyes at least,it dosent cost much.
im sure shes fine,but the people who bred her should have known better! youll know for next time!! (wink wink) they are highly addictive you know!before you know it youll have 3 like me!!!
theres some bits on BC health in your carol price book! (its taking its time to arrive!!!)

after saying all that,nellie was never eye tested & sounds she was from a similar situation as megan! so dont worry i did it too!!!!!

Megan seems in good health and the vet has seen her a few times ie initial check, immunization and micro chipping. Ive only had to see him on two other occassions and thats when she had an upset tum, he put it down to not being able to digest chicken well ,once i changed her diet she was fine. Fingers crossed i hope she will have few problems !
sorry to hear that your boy has bad hips, whats wrong ?

oh hes got a bad hip score 21-21=42
so thats 21 on each hip & sadly the average for the breed on both hips is 14!! so quite bad,he has fairley shalow sockets & the ball of the joint is only 3/4s in.
saying that though hes incredibly sound & moves well & is very powerful when he works (obedience)
i take him swimming in a pool once a week which he loves-but is bankrupting me!!! hes worth it!

Good evening Michelle,
sorry to hear about your boy ,how old is he ? you obviously love him and care for him. The pool sounds really good for him , what kind of pool is it ? how did you find out about his hips, was this done at a specialist centre or the vets ?

hes not two yet! bless!
i had him hip scored when he was one to find out how bad they were,but had had another xray done at 8months as his rear action then was very erratic & i wasnt happy,although i actually thought he had put his back out-but it was moderate hip dysplacia unfortunatly.
the pool is a lovely doggy one,for dogs with problems or for general fitness & fun,the owner goes in with him & they swim round,he swims after kongs etc,while hes there he also goes in a magntic box & has a jacuzzi & a massage with lavender oil
i could swim him if i wanted,& i have done before,but i prfer to watch him as hes quite funny to watch

his hips were xrayed at the vets but scored at the KC /BVA

poor lad ! and he's only young. he is very lucky to have you. the pool sounds fantastic , i wish i was your dog ,i havn't heard of anything like that near to me, do you have to travel far ?
also thought i'd let you know my book and whistle/clicker have arrived,still waiting for thje games book to arrive ! the collie book is great, it only arrived today so i have read small parts, will be bedtime reading tonight.
i shall send you a card on monday hopefully you should recieve it tues/wed
megan is doing well,taking her out more on pathways where we live, aswell as the usual walks over the fields ,barking still ar cars but not as much.
tonight we have been playing hide and seek in the rooms with her favourite toys, she is very intelligent, my husband is intrigued and enjoys watching her find things she is so happy when kept busy....and at rest, it is really rewarding  and satisfying that we have clicked and seem to have an understanding.

my friend Roy Goutte,who is border collie/bloodlines expert par exellance,swears by doctor johns too.

I have not heard of it but it sounds like it has a good reputation

Hi Jackie.M With this kind of problem I have found that if you get another person to walk alongside the dog with you the other side so that she is in the middle and walk slowly but without worry when other cars/bikes go by and praise for no reaction and then walk a little quicker and praise for no reaction sometimes works. It does take time because you musn't go from slow to quicker to soon. Use some tasty food treat or a squeaky toy to distract her when you hear or feel a car/bike coming up behind you. If possible walk on the other side of the road so that she can see the car/bike coming towards her. It is the sudden un-known coming up from behind that startles a dog.:) Again it could be because she has sensitive hearing. Another problem that some dogs have is if something is coming towards them with the sun behind whatever it is, this causes it to have no definition and dogs that can't see definitions etc.can get a bit spooky. :)

Morning Jumbuck,
thanks for your advice and some reasons why she could be startled.
We will do this later when my husband comes home, and have her in the middle. You mentioned sensitive hearing.. does this mean there could be a problem that could last or something the vet could can help with ?

Hi Jackie, I would be surprised if it is a problem with her hearing.  BC's have such sensitive hearing and this can cause problems with traffic.  I have never managed to cure my BC from trying to chase cars, but I can now walk down the road without her being too bad.

Unfortunately the nicey nicey approach didn't work for me, believe me I put in many an hour trying it.  I had to get a bit tough in the end and let her know I was not going to tolerate such behaviour.  It is getting past the glazed eye bit that is difficult.  I found I needed to get the focus on me and nothing else.  I still have big problems at night (the headlights) and in the rain (the noise from the wheels).  Rain and nightime..forget it, we stay in.

The annoying thing is I spent hours with her as a young pup sitting on the top of our drive watching the world go by to try and avoid this, I probably made the situation worse.

I am just off to walk her about a mile or so into town to see Kelly Holmes in an open top bus drive through.  We will probably fall out somewhere along the walk :(

Sandra

Hi Sandra,
i found your reply a breath of fresh air, you sound like you have had all the events that we have had and still having !
you made me laugh when you mentioned staying in, when wet ! yes, we too have had similar discussions.
I feel that her hearing is ok, she has the earing of a bat. This morning I tried different approaches with simple whispering sounds from different parts of the rooms then using my nail to scratch over things when she isn't looking or aware im around, she hears every sound she also didn't over react when there was a loud clanging noise from the kitchen that wasn't 'set up', she barked but you could see by her expression that she wanted to know what it was and went to have a look.
Michelle is sending her different sounds cd it will be interesting to see how she reacts to that ! 
Hope you have a good walk and stay friends !
thanks for your help
jackie x

Hi Michelle , it's here , cd just arrived, it has some good sounds on it . Not played it yet just read the cover . not sure when the best time will be ?
i'll let you know how she gets on
thanks for the picture card ...lovely
jackie x

Hi Jackie.M
I didn't mean you to think that Megan might be deaf or have a hearing defect. It sounds as if she hasn't any thng like that. But when I said have her ears checked, I meant it could be something further down the ear canal that is giving her pain, if she is reacting to sounds. I am sure she is just displaying normal collie behaviour, but when you take her out with another person be sure they are calm with her aswell. Don't make a big thing out of her reactions. Also be very careful how you use the cd as this could make things worse instead of better. Hope you get on alright.:)

Hi Jumbuck,
Thanks for your concern. I did understand what you were saying , its ok, you didn't worry me ! i am going to get her ears checked at the vets for infections ect..  anyway it is for the best . I wouldn't want her to be having pain / discomfort in her ears. She hasn't shown signs of anything but i will get her looked at.

just have it on quietly today,in the background,just get on with life,see what she does.
then turn it up abit each day,if she reacts badly just turn it down to yesterdays level that she was comftable at & try again the next day,
whilst its on do normal stuff,but also play a game or to so shes switching on to you, maybe give her a titbit or two .
if she reacts badly dont try to comfort or reassure,totally ignore any behaviour,carry on doing normal stuff....washing up,making a cuppa etc.

to be honest she just sounds like a typical sensitive collie,prettey normall really! they are different to other breeds! has your carol price book come yet?

I have it on in the background playing now like you would have on a relaxing muic cd (fairly low) she has reacted on occassions but i have focussed her attention on learning new little games where treats are involved since then she hasn't responded with a bark. She is now sat with a chew while i am talking to you. I will have it on for periods of the day and just carry on as normal as in everyday life. I will keep you informed.Im still waiting for my orders to arrive yet, i can't wait for everything to come.It'll be like christmas. Iawnt to look at the book of dog games.

sounds good! well done!

hi jackie got the card etc! thank you!
what  did you think of the carol price book? complicated little blighters arent they?

Hi Michelle
got your message about the c.d. The Carol Price book is excellent ! there is some really good information in it , it makes a lot of sence. The other book arrived 'games to play with your dog ' i haven't read it yet not had much time to sit lately but it looks interesting with plenty of diagrams etc. Megan is doing ok. I think chats on line with everyone and advice from the book has helped with my awareness.