The Border Collie Picked Up a Candy Cane and Kept Very Calm
Sitting upright on the couch, a red and white Border Collie holds a small candy cane in his mouth with perfect composure. His fur is a rich mix of russet and white, and his dark eyes look off to the side as if something has just caught his attention. Behind him, a tree with lights and gold ornaments sits near a window, with a plant on the sill and a stack of gifts waiting on a side table.
Border Collies are widely considered one of the smartest dog breeds, and they excel at learning tricks, commands, and games. They need steady mental and physical exercise, and a bored Border Collie can invent his own jobs, such as herding family members or carrying off interesting objects. Training sessions with rewards and simple puzzle toys are good outlets.
The candy cane is one of those holiday items best kept out of a dog's mouth. It is mostly sugar and can break into sharp pieces, and the wrapper can cause problems if swallowed. Some sweets also contain xylitol, a sweetener that is poisonous to dogs. If a dog grabs one, a calm swap for a treat usually works, and a call to your vet is wise if any was swallowed. We will call this clever fellow Rowan. He has no intention of crunching it, only of carrying it carefully and wondering what to do next.
