Everything changed when I met Charlie.
I was instantly smitten.
He was playful, charming, and full of energy—he loved to eat and play, which was such a refreshing change from what I was used to.
Although I wasn’t actively seeking that type of relationship, the universe seemed to be sending me signs, urging me to pay attention.
Charlie is a dog, specifically a Border Collie.
He’s not my dog, but my connection with him inspired me to get one of my own.
This summer, Charlie was with us for a board and train program, and working with him was a complete joy. Most dogs that come in for boarding lack food or play motivation, making training quite difficult.
In Charlie’s case, though, he was eager to work, play, eat, and then work some more.
I enjoyed him so much that I often took him out for extra training sessions.
One day, his breeder visited to check on him. She lives about 45 minutes from our facility and happened to be in town for an appointment.
At first, I found her somewhat reserved, but I admired her commitment in coming to see one of her dogs.
To me, that’s a hallmark of an excellent breeder.
I worked with Charlie while she was there, and then she left.
Later that morning, when Matt arrived, I mentioned her visit. I added that if I ever decided to get a Border Collie, I would want to get one from her.
“You definitely should,” he replied. “She breeds fantastic dogs. I once had one from her.”
Given that Matt owns two Malinois, I was surprised to hear about his past experience with a Border Collie. He spoke about how well-bred that dog was, its incredible drive, and how enjoyable it was to work with.
Interesting, I thought.
I decided to email Kailey, the breeder, to let her know how nice it was to meet her and to express my interest in her Border Collies.
She quickly replied, saying that she had just rebred Charlie’s parents and that the puppies were expected in August.
This piqued my interest even further.
When Charlie’s owners came to gather him at the end of his training, I told them about Kailey and her upcoming litter.
They were already aware of it as they had a deposit down for the first female pick.
However, they decided to focus on Charlie, which meant they would not be acquiring another dog.
This left the first pick available to me if I wanted it.
That was enough to eliminate my hesitations. I was ready to make a decision: I wanted a puppy from this litter.
I emailed Kailey again to inform her that Charlie’s owners were willing to transfer the first female pick to me, and that I wanted to switch to a male.
That was settled quickly.
In just a few months, I would have a dog.
I had previously sworn off getting a puppy due to my experiences with Laila, a puppy I never wanted. (She was the one who led me down the dog training path, resulting in my current career as a dog trainer.)
My reasons for avoiding puppies were varied, primarily because I believed I couldn’t run with them until they were at least a year old (which I learned later was not entirely accurate).
Additionally, I wasn’t keen on dealing with puppy antics.
What I truly wanted was an adult dog.
Yet, in just a few months, I would be welcoming a puppy of my choosing from an outstanding breeder.
Working as a dog trainer at a reputable facility has made me fully appreciate the significance of responsible breeding.
Owning a challenging dog that has a history of biting has highlighted the stress that comes with having a dog that can be unpredictable.
Don’t get me wrong; I love Sitka, and he’s a remarkable dog.
However, I’ve invested countless hours into his training. He was fortunate to have me as his handler because I genuinely believe he would be in danger of being euthanized in the hands of someone less knowledgeable.
It’s also stressful to take him out in public or be around individuals who do not respect his need for space.
I was thrilled at the prospect of having a driven working dog with solid genetics, one I could mold into a dependable companion.
And now, after sharing all of this, I’m thrilled to officially introduce you to the newest member of my family: Alpine.
He’s a red bi-colored Border Collie from Forthright Farms in Centerville, WA, and one of seven puppies in his litter, with Molly and Clark as his parents. You can see more about them on their website.
His father is an exceptional herding dog, moving cattle with incredible precision and calm (there are videos available if you want to see him in action).
At the time of writing, Alpine is 11 weeks old, exceptionally bright, and shows impressive food and play drive. He’s even allowed me to sleep through the night since his third day with me.
We have been practicing a lot of free shaping, starting tracking work, and getting out to experience the world.
Alongside becoming my new running companion, I plan to train him as a detection dog, ideally focusing on conservation work. I also want to explore tracking and trailing, which could involve Search and Rescue activities.
It turns out that when you have a plan and a well-bred dog, raising a puppy can be a delightful experience.
