From: Asked to stay anonymous

Hi,

I just have a question.  My neighbors have a border collie that sits
on their front porch all day and walks around the yard by itself
somewhat, this is everyday during the week.  They throw a ball 20ft in
the morning for 5 min and not again until after 5pm most nights.  The
dog barks as soon as it gets let out the front door and will continue
to bark on and off all day. If we are out with our dogs, the dogs
starts barking with allot of anxiety in its bark (this actually takes
place as well when we do not have our dogs outside playing), the dog
has now run over across the street to our property 2x now in the last
week, the dogs all play together well but of course the dog gets
screamed at for leaving the yard 10-15 min later when the owner who is
home all the time finally decides to check on the dog and yells for
her to come back.  Is there a tactful way you can speak to them about?

Reply:

Good question Kim? I wish more people would be as concerned as you are, but unfortunately, this is not always the case.  I simply would approach your
neighbor in a positive way.  If you do not have a problem having the dog play outside with your dogs, be open and honest with your neighbor and tell them it is no problem.  However, watch out because you do not want to be the responsible party for something happening.  Please let me know how
everything pans out.

Many different species of dogs scratch the grass or dirt after urinating in a specific area. Many people believe they are trying to cover up their pee. Contrary to what many believe research indicates they could be doing a couple of things. Border Collies and dogs have scent glands on the soles of their feet. They could be trying to add additional scents to the ground for the next passerby to smell. 

This could be used to show dominance or just used for marking their territory. If you have ever noticed in many instances your dog will urinate in the same locations. Another theory for scratching the ground is making visual markings to make other dogs aware that it’s their territory. Not a whole lot of research has been done but with the little that has been these theories are the information which is being speculated.

Who said Border Collies only herd sheep? A new and growing franchise by the name of “Geese Police” utilize the Border Collies extraordinary herding ability to herd up Geese that refuse to fly north for the spring. If the geese are left alone they will make permanent year round residence on golf courses and parks. This is when the “Geese Police” are called to action.

Cindy Ranneberger started her career by responding to a newspaper ad:

“A little ad that said, `Do you like dogs?  Would you like to work outside and do you like to kayak?’  And so I told my husband, `Oh, my God, it’s like my name’s written in the paper and I have to do this,’” Ranneberger said.

Every since she has been herding geese, she says that it can take weeks to drive off a flock of geese even with the best trained Border Collies, but she loves every aspect of her job!