Bill McKee wrote:
The kid's dog is here and is Lab, Border Collie mix. Still not completely
under control, but is only 6 months old.

That's the best time to work with them. Actually no, the
best time to begin a dog's training is much younger.

Time spent with a very young puppy is the most bang for the
buck in terms of shaping the dog's behavior later in life.
It takes some patience, consistency, and willingness to work
with a puppy's instincts & attitudes... and for me it has
always been great fun to have a puppy running around.

Collies and most herding dogs need a lot of exercise.
They're also too noisy for me. I've had more retrievers than
any other breed, IMHO they are perfect boating

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...83126526ongQsz

& household dogs. Our current dog is an unknown... I suspect
at least 1/4 pit bull, but people have guessed everything
from Chesapeake Bay Retriever to Rhodesian Ridgeback to hyena.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...19409682lFZFTd
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...89675958BCXOSw

Sounds like you all are having a great family holiday.

Merry Christmas!

Doug King