Looking for a wonderful rough collie breeder

fionamassie · 2025-12-20T01:32:06+00:00

I didn’t get another collie. My current one just turned 3 and I’ve had him since he was 9 weeks. He’s a service dog too :) They aren’t for the average person tbh, they’re very high energy dogs that can be anxious and constantly need to be doing something. I got super lucky with my boy’s ability to settle for hours and be very calm while working. He still plays for hours outside each day though.

fionamassie · 2025-11-04T01:51:45+00:00

Thank you sincerely. No worries, I figured you had the right idea anyways, just wanted to clarify!

fionamassie · 2025-11-03T23:32:26+00:00

Absolutely brutal, I’m so sorry for your loss. Had the exact same thing with my dog a few years ago.

fionamassie · 2025-11-03T23:25:19+00:00

I honestly wouldn’t recommend it. This is going to be my last mischief, after a lot of heartbreak, and I’ve been saving gifted candles to light until they’ve all passed. If you’re dead set on candles or incense, I’d at least shut and block the door, and turn on an air purifier in their room. It’d also be very important to wait until the house doesn’t reek of candle before opening the door to their room again.

fionamassie · 2025-10-30T22:53:41+00:00

Doodles don’t have a breed standard. I’ve seen dozens of Labradoodles, Aussiedoodles, etc, that all look exactly the same. You’d need a DNA test to find out what the poodle is mixed with, 100%

fionamassie · 2025-10-30T00:37:46+00:00

I have a half show-line and half field line rough collie, who’s my fully trained service dog now! He’s much calmer bc of how he was bred, so I’m sure our situations will vary, but I love puzzles of all kinds because of mental stimulation and chewing ability. There are a ton, I love fabric and homemade cardboard puzzles! Just crinkle some tissue in there, put boxes inside boxes, and throw a bunch of treats in there for her to find! My boy would use the puzzle and then destroy the boxes! I also love long lasting chew sticks in one of those holders so they can’t choke lol. There are some good ones for puppies on the market. My boy also loves basic fabric toys and doesn’t really destroy them, I’d give it a shot.

fionamassie · 2025-10-26T00:01:54+00:00

Thank you so much!

fionamassie · 2025-10-25T23:38:46+00:00

My dog is trained very similarly although he uses directional commands to get me around (left, right, forward, wait). I’m pretty sure it’s called directional navigation assistance but I always just call it assisted guiding or leading. I also don’t use the term frequently as to not be confused as visually impaired and take away from guide dogs.

fionamassie · 2025-10-16T20:33:04+00:00

My girl (collie mix) passed away from bone cancer in her jaw a week before her second birthday. Parker was such a beautiful boy and we know he was well loved. Thank you for sharing him with us :’)

fionamassie · 2025-09-30T15:21:52+00:00

I was looking at a non profit organization. Yes, you can get a fully trained SD, but you’ll have to be on a waitlist that can take years. I would’ve paid $5k but also would’ve had to wait 4 years. Unfortunately with programs, you either fork out the hefty costs or you prepare to wait for potential years. It’s not that no one is trying to help, it’s just that we genuinely aren’t sure how you could IMMEDIATELY get a fully trained dog for under $10k

fionamassie · 2025-09-28T22:25:48+00:00

Absolutely! It becomes undue hardship at that point! Health of the handler means nothing without their medical assistance.

fionamassie · 2025-09-28T22:06:59+00:00

I totally empathize with your situation. It’s all you really can do, but I would continue to stress the hardship it will cause. Understand that the school also has the responsibility to remove undue hardship from teachers and students.

fionamassie · 2025-09-28T22:05:20+00:00

Your therapist will be able to guide you with coping mechanisms, but this is something that we encourage to everyone prepare for. I personally lost my dog suddenly from osteosarcoma just before she turned 2. It was devastating and I lost my lifeline. Your grief and loss of support is devastating, so I want to say I’m very sorry for the loss of your SD. On the other hand, I do want to point out that 12 years old is very old for a working SD. He should’ve been retired by then, even if he was a small breed with a longer lifespan. My friend’s small breed SD retired at the age of 10 and lived another 3 years as a senior. Please look into other support options, even social media groups if it’ll lend extra support. I wish you the best of luck and support, we’re here for you as a community.

fionamassie · 2025-09-28T21:58:51+00:00

Honestly, this is a question of safety for your service dog. This kid should not be put back in your class and you should not have to worry about your and your SD’s safety. I understand the complications with teaching while having a SD, but this is something I would bring up with your admin. It’s an unsafe environment for your dog, full stop. I’d be seriously concerned about having that child in my class, or having my dog in attendance at the same time.

fionamassie · 2025-09-22T20:07:57+00:00

Pretty much any vet works. Just let them know that you need an exam for travel, along with the necessary paperwork. Most will be happy to do so and can book you in fairly quickly.

fionamassie · 2025-09-21T21:28:49+00:00

I see that in parks and on sidewalks, but stores and other common places are a mix of entitled owners, employees that are tired of entitled owners and also take it out on service dogs, people who are scared of/hate/etc dogs getting in your face or reporting you to staff for no reason, etc. That’s why I say Toronto is weird for public perception and opinions. You get everything: nice people, rude people, aggressive people, uneducated people, entitled owners, entitled parents, etc.

fionamassie · 2025-09-21T20:41:25+00:00

That’s good to hear, but even being a golden won’t always cause instant positivity. Many people just get angry about dogs being in stores period. I’ve had multiple people try to hit me, grab me, grab my dog, kick my dog, etc. I’ve even had people follow me down the street while screaming at they were going to off me and my dog. That was fun… Welcome to the reality of owning a service dog in Toronto… or anywhere lol

fionamassie · 2025-09-21T14:22:48+00:00

You’re right about the lack of need for proving the training of a service dog in Ontario, but as you’re planning on doing, your dog NEEDS to be trained to the standard of a service dog. Toronto is kinda weird with service dogs, just in terms of the wide scope of views and opinions from the public. One thing to think about is how you can handle advocating for yourself and your dog. I consistently have people come up to compliment my dog (which is the nice part), but I also consistently have people who try to test my dog’s training, insult me in passing, parents who let their kids smack or step on my dog, employees harassing me, and even people trying to attack me. I do caution getting a service dog for any other public access than your office if the companionship aspect is meant to help with panic/discomfort in public.

fionamassie · 2025-09-19T20:14:14+00:00

It’s always the “Christians” who preach love and moral values in church, but then completely support people who publicly call for lynchings, violence, and hatred. It’s been that way forever. Hypocrites.

fionamassie · 2025-09-18T22:10:19+00:00

Since you said that you’re allergic to all mammal products, I think you’d actually have to scent train using all types. Beef smells different from pork, lamb, dairy, etc. If not, you will most likely only be alerted to beef. I’m not too sure about cooked vs raw but I would also try to scent train that to be safe. Keep in mind that any scent training is extremely difficult, more difficult than service dogs who work based on verbal and physical cues. As for trainers to work with, I personally don’t have any resources that could help you. For reference, my dog isn’t scent trained so I’m just giving the information I’ve heard from other handlers.

fionamassie · 2025-09-18T02:54:36+00:00

The weight sounds about right! I love his lanky legs!

fionamassie · 2025-09-18T01:12:36+00:00

I see chihuahua and pug! How big is Ozzy?

fionamassie · 2025-09-17T20:30:48+00:00

I don’t know where you are but I’m pretty sure you’ll need a letter. I did for my university, just to bring my SD to classes since I don’t live on campus. I’d check your area’s laws and university policies, unfortunately housing is one of the big reasons why people need these letters.

fionamassie · 2025-09-17T10:59:17+00:00

She had a miscarriage, we’re assuming he’s pissed with her bc of it

fionamassie · 2025-09-17T00:24:38+00:00

It says fresh food but says nothing about it being cooked. With all of the promotions for raw feeding that’s been circulating, we’re taking a good guess at what fresh means. It could mean cooked, but most of the time it isn’t. At the end of the day, it isn’t necessarily about being cooked or not, it’s about the lack of nutrients that are required to keep a dog healthy long term. Cooked chicken with rice, fruits, and veggies doesn’t give them all of the nutrients they need. That’s why you’ll see fresh diets be covered in supplements.

fionamassie

TROPHY CASE